A cutting head includes a main body that is attachable to an ice drill shaft at a top side. The main body includes a bottom side that has a bottom peripheral surface. The cutting head includes at least one cutting edge that is disposed on the main body. The cutting edge is configured to perform a cutting operation at the bottom side of the main body. The cutting head includes a cutting rate control pad that is disposed on the bottom side of the main body. The cutting rate control pad extends away from the bottom peripheral surface.

A pivotal ice fishing hole cover selectively covers a hole in an ice layer over a body of water, while permitting an ice fishing line to pass through and into the water. A ring rests adjacent to and circumscribes the ice fishing opening. A pair of hinges are affixed between the ring and a pair of pivotal lid portions, allowing the lid portions to pivot between a first closed configuration parallel to the ice that blocks the ice fishing opening and a second open configuration that allows access thereto. An ice fishing line opening between the pair of pivotal lid portions remains unobstructed regardless of wether the pivotal lid portions are closed or open. The closure is spring loaded, and with the push of a button will release from the lid, thereby allowing the spring hinges to pivot the lid from closed to open position.

A pivotal ice fishing hole cover selectively covers a hole in an ice layer over a body of water, while permitting an ice fishing line to pass through and into the water. A ring rests adjacent to and circumscribes the ice fishing opening. A pair of hinges are affixed between the ring and a pair of pivotal lid portions, allowing the lid portions to pivot between a first closed configuration parallel to the ice that blocks the ice fishing opening and a second open configuration that allows access thereto. An ice fishing line opening between the pair of pivotal lid portions remains unobstructed regardless of wether the pivotal lid portions are closed or open. The closure is spring loaded, and with the push of a button will release from the lid, thereby allowing the spring hinges to pivot the lid from closed to open position.

A stowable and deployable shelter may include a frame structure with a first support arch pivotably attached to a base at a pair of pivot points, and a second support arch pivotably attached to the first support arch via a pair of slidable hinges. The slidable hinges are positioned to translate along the first support arch toward and away from the pair of pivot points. In some embodiments, at least one of the slidable hinges includes a locking mechanism for releasably locking the at least one slidable hinge at a selected location along the first support arch. In some embodiments, the hinges may be fixed instead of being slidable. The support arches support a fabric shell to form an interior of the shelter. The base may include a sled container having runners for sliding through snow or across terrain.

A method of ice fishing includes providing an ice fishing pole having a handle having a first side and an opposing second side, a rod portion extending from the handle wherein the ice fishing pole has a longitudinal axis extending through the handle and the rod portion. The ice fishing pole includes a reel rotatably secured to the handle proximate the second side of the handle, the reel rotatable about a rotational axis and containing fishing line and a grip attached to the reel a distance from the rotational axis wherein the grip is configured to be gripped and manipulate the reel. The method includes placing at least one object on the ice having two spaced apart elevated surfaces and lowering a baited hook into the water through the ice by unwinding fishing line from the reel. The method includes placing the first side of the handle on one of the two spaced apart elevated surfaces and the rod portion on the other of the two spaced apart elevated surfaces, wherein as a fish takes line from the reel, the reel rolls and moves the grip in an arcuate path such that a moment force is placed on the handle which causes the ice fishing pole to roll about the longitudinal axis on the two spaced apart elevated surfaces such that the second side of the handle is contacting one of the two spaced apart elevated surfaces wherein the rotation of the handle from the first side to the second side causes a sound that alerts an angler that the fish is moving the bait.

A method of ice fishing includes providing an ice fishing pole having a handle having a first side and an opposing second side, a rod portion extending from the handle wherein the ice fishing pole has a longitudinal axis extending through the handle and the rod portion. The ice fishing pole includes a reel rotatably secured to the handle proximate the second side of the handle, the reel rotatable about a rotational axis and containing fishing line and a grip attached to the reel a distance from the rotational axis wherein the grip is configured to be gripped and manipulate the reel. The method includes placing at least one object on the ice having two spaced apart elevated surfaces and lowering a baited hook into the water through the ice by unwinding fishing line from the reel. The method includes placing the first side of the handle on one of the two spaced apart elevated surfaces and the rod portion on the other of the two spaced apart elevated surfaces, wherein as a fish takes line from the reel, the reel rolls and moves the grip in an arcuate path such that a moment force is placed on the handle which causes the ice fishing pole to roll about the longitudinal axis on the two spaced apart elevated surfaces such that the second side of the handle is contacting one of the two spaced apart elevated surfaces wherein the rotation of the handle from the first side to the second side causes a sound that alerts an angler that the fish is moving the bait.

An electronic fish finder transducer lifting system includes a mechanical actuating device; a transducer lifting device; an electronic fish finder attachment member, rotatably connected to the transducer lifting device, configured to attach to an electronic fish finder; and a mechanical linkage, connected to the mechanical actuating device and the transducer lifting device, configured to transfer force, applied to the mechanical actuating device, to the transducer lifting device to lift a front portion of the transducer lifting device.

Fishing reel system embodiments herein include an extendable arm assembly and a reel assembly rotatably attached thereto. Certain reel assembly embodiments include an adjustable drag washer stack that can be adjustably compressed to adjust the amount of friction within the washer stack. Other implementations include solely a reel assembly with such an adjustable drag washer stack.

Fishing reel system embodiments herein include an extendable arm assembly and a reel assembly rotatably attached thereto. Certain reel assembly embodiments include an adjustable drag washer stack that can be adjustably compressed to adjust the amount of friction within the washer stack. Other implementations include solely a reel assembly with such an adjustable drag washer stack.

A fishing rod holder alert apparatus for improved ice fishing includes a housing, a rod aperture configured to hold the handle of a fishing rod, and a pivot rod. The pivot arm moves between a side position and an alternate front position. A swing arm moves between an engaged position and an alternate released position and has a line slot configured to secure a fishing line. A plurality of magnets is coupled to the pivot arm. A ferrous strip is coupled to the swing arm and is selectively engageable with the plurality of magnets to secure the swing arm in the engaged position until pulled by the fishing line, tripping a switch sensor to activate a buzzer. A logic module and a battery are coupled to the housing. The battery is in operational communication with the switch sensor, the buzzer, and the logic module.