MTB December Ice Box Review

Once again, I organized all of my fishing gear. This made me realize that I don't actually have too much stuff! Which obviously meant I had to get more. So I subscribed once again to Mystery Tackle Box, a service that sends you baits every month. Before I get into the details of this month's box, here's a pro tip for all Canadian customers: check the exchange rate before you complete your order. Each box is roughly $15 depending on the length of your subscription, but with a low Canadian Dollar, you're not necessarily getting a good deal. Live and learn!

December's box had the following items:

• UV Buck Shot Spoon from Northland Tackle
• Crappie Bites from Magic Baits
• Mini Ripperz from Lip Ripperz
• Tear Drop Ice Jig from Eco Pro Tungsten
• Smelt Stick from Sitka

Nice and organized

What I liked:

• There were a variety of brands (this wasn't the case in a previous Ice Box).
• The Crappie Bites are a great example of a product I wouldn't pick up in a store, but that I'll definitely put to use. I don't often fish for crappie, but I plan on spending at least one weekend on the ice around Peterborough where I might find some. I suspect these are effective for other pan fish too, and they seem like a nice alternative when it's not practical or desirable to take along any live bait. 
• It's always nice to get a jigging spoon. I discovered two years ago how effective these can be. 

What I disliked:

• I am disappointed that there weren't any baits tailored to bigger species: lake trout in particular. Some swim baits or white tubes or something like that would have been welcome additions. 
• Maybe I was spoiled the other year, but ice fishing line is always great too - especially at the start of the ice fishing season. 

Overall, I'd say that this was a rather mediocre box. Of course, my impression may change if I have "great success" using these baits. Or maybe because I prefer open water fishing, I just don't get as excited about this kind of gear. Still, I just feel like this box could have used something more, at least in terms of quantity given the size of these lures (my opinion has changed somewhat after noticing that the Buck-Shot Spoon alone is sold for $9.99 at Canadian Tire). Hopefully next month's mystery will pique my interest a little more. 

Greg Cholkan is a lawyer and fisherman. He works in Muskoka with Barriston LLP and his practice focuses on real estate, wills and estates, and business matters. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter.

Share this post