S9E4 - Jason from Ice Hawk Fishing
Jeff and Jason kick off Season 9, Episode 4 with early-ice updates, listener news, and gear talk ranging from ice shack mods to coolers and augers. They sit down with Jason from IceHawk Fishing Gear to explore how guiding frustrations led him to create a premium Minnesota-made tip-up system. The episode wraps with a look at IceHawk’s new Bluetooth-enabled smart tip-up and stories from the ice, including a remarkable rescue that earned Jason a Carnegie Hero Medal nomination.
Episode Highlights
Drinks of the week: Boundary Waters Brunette Brown Ale & Chai Spice Deluxe Hot Chocolate
Listener news: Jay Peterson’s Trick Your Trap and ice shack customization ideas
Gear talk: augers, coolers, bubblers, heater setups, and sled shuttles
Interview with Jason from IceHawk Fishing Gear
How guiding frustrations led to the creation of IceHawk tip-ups
Product features: removable spools, light towers, audible alerts, and long-lasting AA power
Patents, trademarks, and the realities of developing new fishing gear
Sneak peek of IceHawk’s Bluetooth-enabled smart tip-up
Real-time notifications, customizable lights, and connecting up to 10 tip-ups
Using smart tech for scouting and walleye fishing
Spearfishing stories and guiding with family
Jason’s heroic Montana ice rescue and Carnegie Hero Medal nomination
Beverages
Jeff enjoyed a Boundary Waters Brunette Brown Ale, keeping things classic with a smooth Minnesota craft beer.
Boundary Waters Brunette Brown Ale
A smooth, malty brown ale from Voyageur Brewing Company in Minnesota — rich, roasty, and crafted for cabin nights and cold-weather adventures.
Check it out on UntappdJason went for a winter-warmer vibe with a Chai Spice Deluxe Hot Chocolate, bringing cozy cabin energy to the episode. A perfect pairing for early-ice season and gear talk.
🔔 Listener News
Jeff and Jason kick things off with updates from listeners, including Jay Peterson’s new book Trick Your Trap, which dives into creative ways to customize and upgrade ice shacks. The conversation sparks ideas about heater placement, trap layouts, sled mods, and the DIY spirit that drives so many hardwater anglers.
🛠️ Gear Talk
The hosts dive into their early-season gear rundown—covering augers, coolers, bubblers, heater setups, and custom sled shuttles. From prepping shacks to testing new attachments, the guys share what’s working, what needs fixing, and what upgrades they’re eyeing for the season ahead.
IceHawk Fishing – Next-Gen Ice Tip-Ups
Minnesota-based maker of premium tip-ups built for the ice: light towers, audible alerts, interchangeable spools and smart features that take your hard-water game to the next level.
Visit IceHawkFishing.comInterview with Jason from IceHawk Fishing Gear
The main interview features Jason from IceHawk Fishing Gear, a Minnesota company building premium, American-made ice tip-ups. He joins the show to talk innovation, design, and what it takes to create gear that stands up to brutal winter conditions. For more information see https://www.icehawkfishing.com/
💡 The Origin of IceHawk Tip-Ups
Jason shares how years of guiding—and plenty of frustration with unreliable tip-ups—led him to design a better solution. His goal: a system that’s more durable, more visible, and easy to service even on the coldest days.
⚙️ Product Features
The crew walks through IceHawk’s key features, including removable spools, bright light towers, audible strike alerts, and long-lasting AA battery performance. Each feature targets real problems Jason encountered on the ice.
📘 Patents & Prototyping
Jason breaks down the realities of patents, trademarks, and product development—highlighting the research, testing, and legal navigation behind launching new gear. It’s a rare peek into the process of bringing innovation to ice fishing.
📱 Bluetooth Smart Tip-Up Preview
Listeners get an early look at IceHawk’s upcoming Bluetooth-enabled smart tip-up. Jason shares details on testing, design goals, and the road toward a possible release.
🔗 Smart Features
The new smart system includes real-time notifications, customizable beacon lights, and support for connecting up to ten tip-ups on a single phone. It’s a big step forward for anglers who want more control and visibility.
🧭 Tech for Walleye & Scouting
Jeff and Jason discuss how smart tip-up technology can transform scouting, walleye location, and multi-hole setups. Long-range connectivity helps anglers cover more water with confidence.
🐟 Spearfishing & Family Adventures
Jason shares stories from guiding, spearfishing, and adventures with his kids—bringing a personal touch to the episode with moments from a life spent on the hardwater.
🦺 Heroic Ice Rescue
The episode wraps with Jason’s incredible story of rescuing a man who fell through the ice in Montana. His quick action earned him a nomination for the prestigious Carnegie Hero Medal.
