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Chase fish further, faster and in comfort in the new Polaris Ranger XP 900
New for the 2012-13 ice-fishing season, the Polaris Ranger XP 900 is poised to become the ultimate ice fishing vehicle.
“We’ve been waiting for a truly go-anywhere machine that is suitable for use across an entire ice season,” says In-Depth Outdoors TV host and ICE FORCE Pro-Staffer James Holst. “Prior to the appearance of side-by-side style vehicles like the XP 900 we needed to own, maintain and trailer two different types of vehicles to cover our transportation needs depending on the season. ATVs are the way to go early and late in the season when the absence of snow makes the snowmobile impractical. Snowmobiles have their place mid-season when the snow piles up making travel on ATVs all but impossible. This new XP 900 handles anything and everything we can throw at it!”
Rapala USA’s ICE FORCE comprises the ice-fishing industry’s top anglers and premium brands, including Rapala, VMC, StrikeMaster, MarCum Technologies, Otter Outdoors, Sufix and - most recently - Polaris.
“Polaris is synonymous with ice-fishing enthusiasts as the top brand for getting them and their gear on and off hard water,” says Rapala USA president Tom Mackin.
The ease and speed with which the new Ranger XP 900 transports fishermen and their gear is a major step forward in an ice fishing philosophy that’s led to improved catch rates. That philosophy stated simply is - stay on the move.
“Hole to hole, spot to spot, lake to lake, if you’re not catching fish you never sit still,” Holst says. “You can move anglers and gear much faster and with less effort with this new Polaris side-by-side. And everyone moves together - no more long strings of people, vehicles and gear strung out between destinations.”
An excursion on Lake of the Woods last season in a Polaris Ranger XP 800 - the 900’s predecessor - “was an awesome experience,” Holst says. Not only was the vehicle roomy enough to allow three anglers to ride inside its heated cab, its tracks “had so much traction, it felt like you could scale a brick wall.”
Windshield wipers, running lights and defrosters are amenities that make for comfortable and safe travel from spot to spot, Holst says, and the large bed safely accommodates huge quantities of gear - “augers, electronics, rod cases, you name it.”
Indeed. The Ranger XP 900 can tow 2,000 pounds and carry a 1,000-pounds payload in its bed.
And that’s not all. The XP 900 comes loaded with several exciting new features:
- Polaris ProStar 900 engine, which offers a 20-percent increase over the 2012 model.
- New chassis, updated suspension and storage, and a larger gas tank.
- Increased storage with new flip-up access.
- New cargo box with more tie-down points, box dividers and a smoother gate release.
- Re-styled cockpit which more comfortably accommodates three people and features improved ergonomics.
And despite how well the XP 900 performs on ice and snow, it’s by no means a one-season vehicle. “I can think of uses for it 365 days a year, for work and play,” Holst says.
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