MarCum Technologies

[trffisherman4]

I've been thinking about getting my dad a MarCum IcePac Portable Fishing System for Christmas and was wondering if anyone likes them. Are they durable? How well will his Vexlar be protected? and is it really worth the $60 retail price?

[Dave]

I checked one out early this fall and think it's very well constructed. The 600 denier material is pretty tough. Pretty cool idea which allows one hand or over the shoulder carrying for all of your fishing gear. The flip out stand is nice, too. Your gear sits upright in the corner of the ice house, next to you, and takes up less space. I think your dad would enjoy it and it should protect his Vex pretty well. I'm getting one soon, too.

[CNY Tim]

Good questions. Looking at the RodPac myself... Matt Johnson and Joel Nelson have probably seen these up close, however I will be visiting MarCum on the 10th of December and will give it a look then. I can tell you if it's as tough as the soft pack on the LX-5 they will be a big hit. Think about it, it's pretty ingenious all you need is a auger over the shoulder and a bucket hanging off it and your good to go. Has a spot for the LXI which I use religiously, your tackle/rods and favorite MarCum flasher all in one. Pull up to the hole and rip it with your auger take the pack off set it down and kick out the kickstand and your fishing.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I got to hold one of the prototypes. It was very slick. I love the fact that it keeps your unit up off the ice. Just set it down next to your hole, drop the bag-it stands up like a golf bag and you grab a rod out of the top of a bag... Seems pretty slick to me.

I have hopes of haveing one this year.

[Hotspotter]

This is pretty funny, all three of us (Dave, Deitz, and myself) got a chance to check it out at the same time during Thorne Bros. Portable Modification Get-together in September. Talking amongst ourselves then, without ever using it, and talking about it since then, I think we all were anxious to use it.

As far as padding is concerned, I'd think of it as about twice the padding you have on your average LX-3 or LX-5 unit, surrounding the back, bottom, and both sides. The front/top is open, but I believe zippers down to cover that as well. I wasn't too concerned about the padding however, as it's simply icing on the cake considering that now, we drag our LX-5's around simply with the more-than-ample padding in the case it comes with.

I'd say that this bag really benefits the mobile fisherman almost more than any. It has an application for those folks who tend to move around less, chiefly, that you keep your rods and equipment out of the slush, water, and ice. That said, the ability to carry your electronics, tackle, rods, and ice scoop from hole to hole without needing a third hand is what I'm really looking forward to. Most folks move less because it's a pain to do so. Anything that makes it easier, I'm all for.

I think you're paying for the 600 denier fabric, as well as the four crush-proof hard plastic rod tubes that run the length of the bag. Esp. if you fish with higher end rods, it's worth it to protect your investment in tackle.

My advice would be to look them over and compare to other brands out there. Thorne Brothers in Fridley has some to look at I know. Pay careful attention to construction, zippers, materials, just overall quality; and make your decision from there.

Joel