Choosing a new Ice fishing ATV - Feedback requested!

I love these posts and all the responses. Definitely a Ford, Dodge, Chevy question. Do your research and pick what you feel is best for you, there's always going to be a lemon out there no matter what you choose, just hopefully you don't get THAT one. So many people dump on Polaris. I've known many who have them who have ridden them really hard and never had a problem. Same thing can be said for many other machines. Personally, my 2003 Polaris Magnum 330 is still going strong, pulls like crazy and has only ever had the brakes done to go along with the usual maintenance of greasing etc.

Good luck in your quest!!

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Originally Posted by Crabb's Camp

One caveat..nothing is bullet proof as I went off the main trail with my argo I hit slush..it built up underneath. Had a grain shovel and dug it out more than a few times until I could get a good runway at it and got back on the main pack trail.

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Don’t matter what machine, my grain shovel goes everywhere with me in the winter. It’s always in my truck then I throw it in the sleigh.

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Originally Posted by Crabb's Camp

One caveat..nothing is bullet proof as I went off the main trail with my argo I hit slush..it built up underneath. Had a grain shovel and dug it out more than a few times until I could get a good runway at it and got back on the main pack trail.

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m

I have a winch on both ends....auger in a hole, drop down an ice anchor and use the winch. No digging necessary ..

Want pictures of what you end up with!!


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Originally Posted by rick_iles

m

I have a winch on both ends....auger in a hole, drop down an ice anchor and use the winch. No digging necessary ..

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That only works for smaller slush beds. Winching across a couple km's of slush will take for ever.
In those conditions a sled and speed are the best option.

Personally getting stuck sucks..I have CAA but it never want to have to call them..I had a 900 polaris rzr with tracks it was the best so far but yeah was a polaris...nuff said. My ride right now is a 1986 Honda 350 4 trax..International B 250 and the 414..and and Yamaha 1998 500 venture 2 up..where I am Galway Township I can walk to my iceholes and that's fine with me.

BTW I am not the sharpest tool in the shed and I will be the first to tell ya lol

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Originally Posted by Woodsman

That only works for smaller slush beds. Winching across a couple km's of slush will take for ever.
In those conditions a sled and speed are the best option.

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I’ve been in slush at 35 below, on a sled, it’s never fun !!!!

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

I’ve been in slush at 35 below, on a sled, it’s never fun !!!!

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I that I agree with.
But if it's enough to stop a sled a quad will be stuck far sooner.

Look at weight of the ATV if you're primary use will be use on lakes like Simcoe. Lighter is better as you can stay on top of the wind-packed drifts. I have a Honda 350 that is nice and light. You see all the big atvs stuck after 200yds from the parking lot with the frame hung up on the drifts. I have a 500 Foreman as well as I need it for plowing . The 350 is marginal when you pull a trailer of firewood or topsoil, etc. I think you're better off to get a cheap $1500 twin cylinder snowmobile for the lake (eg. an old bombproof Enticer, Safari or Citation)and buy the ATV that meets your needs. Honda and Suzuki have been my best experiences to date. They're all equal once you get some snow depth on the lake and you're belly pan gets hung. It's nice to have the snowmobile for the times the ATV is useless.

In response to the original question. I was talking with a buddy yesterday who sells and repairs Honda and Yamaha atvs. So I asked your question Honda vs Polaris? His quick answer was, both are good machines and if you are a maintenance and care guy, the Polaris is a good decision, but if you use and park it until you decide to go again, you are better to go with the Honda.