Built a power box for ice fishing

I got bored and have always thought those power boxes built in ammo boxes were neat.
I can see how they are very useful when ice fishing, camping, on even just to have for outdoor activities. A couple guys I ice fish with have them, and the couple prefab ones are disappointing imho. I never thought the prebuilt ones that I had seen seem to be:
1. Worth the price.
2. Built with flexibility and safety in mind.
3. Built to maintain the waterproof nature of the base/box.

Now I know lots of people build these and sell them on fishing sites and outdoor sites, and tend to do a fine job. I decided that since I had a few Dunhams and Tractor Supply giftcards and tons of electrical components; I would build one that would fix some of my biggest concerns.
So if any of you like to tinker, which many of you TW folks do, here is my humble build.
I wanted to keep the majority of electrical components and all added holes in the lid of the ammo box and to protect the circuits with fuses and switches.
6 slot fuse panel
Switched 3 gang 12v panel, dual usb with voltmeter, 12v standard outlet
Master power switch
2 banana jack sets, each switch controlled
3 bright leds switch controlled
Metra wire connector to separate battery custom harness from the top panel
16 and 12 gauge wire used throughout
Standard case guard 50 cal ammo can
3 8AH 12v batteries

 

"Ice fishing" are two words that, as a Texan, I know as individual concepts but not as a combined construct idea.

How, pray tell, does one "fish" for "ice?"







I mean, what bait would you even use?

 

So I had some thoughts last night.
1. How to charge the batteries and not arc wires?
2. What if the accessories, fish finder etc. does not have banana jacks already? (I fish with a few other people)

Well, I got up this morning and built a quick disconnect charging plug and some universal Jack leads.

 

Haha! I can tell you what doesnt work, my Samsung S6. Dropped that one right in my ice hole. The case kept it alive till the battery died in 20 ft of water. That was a less than good day.

 

The things we do to catch fish. Most simply wouldn't understand. Looks great but please report back when you do some catch'n.

BUT, I'll back up what my fellow Texan said above. Ice and fishing are foreign concepts down here! Many moons ago I hammered a big ole sow trout on our Texas coast during a winter blast like we're in now. Slow, very slow retrieve through a mud flat about 3 foot deep. She hammered it and I was so dang cold I almost lost her. NO ICE ANYWHERE THOUGH! I'm getting cold just thinking about that day.

 

I kick on my buddy heater in my hut, sitting in my comfortable chair, listening to the fish finder ping and drink some irish coffee, next thing you know its 55/60 degrees in the hut, while it is 10 outside. Then you start pulling bluegill, yellow perch, and walleye through your icehole. Before you know it you have your limit and time for a nap!

 

Sounds like an awesome time for sure. I can handle 55/60. Are those bluegill like our crappie down here?...nice flaky white meat? I heard walleye are quite tasty but don't know much about bluegill and yellow perch.

Next week or 3 I'm headed south in search of pompano in the surf - Padre Island Natl Seashore. They frequent our shores January/February but we've got to pick our days...like after this cold blast we're having now. HIGHLY recommend this fish for the table. Almost has a lobster taste...of course soaked in butter and lemon.

Gosh dang now ya got me side tracked for the rest of the day. Happy New Year to you.

 

Yellow perch are about the best tasting freshwater fish, even better than walleye. Bluegill are excellent, and even leaner and sweeter through the ice. I will keep gills all year, but especially through the ice.
I also run across crappie, rock bass, white perch, and other panfish that I will keep and eat.
Occasionally I get a lake trout or steelhead and eat them too.
Those that I toss back are usually bass, catfish (love them but not out of the areas I fish), pike, and only once a super tasty burbot. Ate the burbot.

 

Pompano sounds, a least taste wise like burbot.

 

We're freezing our "iceholes" off up here!

 

Interesting on the yellow perch. That sounds like our crappie. I'm with you on the bass and catfish. Both have the muddy/mossy taste down here where I fish. Preference in my house are crappie and white bass from fresh water; Trout (spotted sea trout), red drum and flounder for near shore salt water. And an occasional pompano. Never heard of burbot but google'n next.

 

Burbot is as rare as Hens teeth. I only caught one in lake Erie in 35 years. But I have a buddy who fishes for them in lake st Clair.

 

Ha! That sounds like my 30+" sow trout that is so elusive for me. But I continue to search for her on the flats.

Just looked up burbot - those things look MEAN!

 

Cleaned up the wiring and the charger, and then built a fish finder into a portable ice fishing one.

 

Hot glue the blue switch into the mount if you want to stop it from rattling around and popping out when the slightest pressure is placed on it. This is mine for my kayak, I have a 3 gang switch, and a 2 gang with volt meter and usb plugs.

 

Virus...that is awesome.

i didnt even put up Christmas lights this year, when the thought of untangling last years mess came up.

haivng said that, a buddy gave me a box he made along with a big ass solar panel to charge with.

 

I would like to add a solar panel next, what size panel and box do you have?

 

Interested on what you decide for your panel and how well it works. Im looking to add a panel to my kayak that uses a single battery like you have.

 

That is next, I am building a 30 cal sized one to run the fish finder on my kayak!

 

Nice, I used to use a small box for my kayak, then I cut a hole and put in a hatch, so I just stuck the battery to the hull with duct seal putty.