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Post by BOWn Hunter on Feb 6, 2015 12:26:58 GMT -5
I've tried a couple other sections for responses but had no luck so i'll give this one a try! Anyone have any tips and tricks for a beginner ice fisherman? Just wanting basics like water depth, lures, line test, ice thickness, ect.. Any advice is good advice! Thanks guys! |
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Post by throbak on Feb 6, 2015 12:41:31 GMT -5
4inches ice NO LESS. I start in the deepest on ponds 4inchrs off bottom
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Post by scott on Feb 6, 2015 14:24:37 GMT -5
If you see a lot of ice fishing in your future, invest in a flasher like a Vexilar, they are the bees knees and really help to locate the fish and put more slabs on the ice. Small ice jigs tipped with a wax worm or spikes work well. In your other post you said you were going to be using an ultralight pole, I would suggest investing in an ice rod with a nice spring bobber as you won't be able to feel or see a light bite on the ultralight pole.
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Post by stevein on Feb 6, 2015 14:55:56 GMT -5
Mickey Mouse boots, 5 gallon bucket, 2 light poles with reels and spring bobbers, Vexiliar FL8 will do, 6" Lazer auger. Go near where you catch fish in the summer and start there.
A heavy jig pole is nice for bigger fish and some perch jerking.
If you have a sonar unit it will work in place of the Vex. It needs to be sensitive enough to be able to see a tiny jig at whatever depth you will be fishing. That way you do not have to mark your depth, you just let it fall into the zone.
The Lazer auger will open old holes and save you time and effort when the ice is thick. For panfish a 5" will do.
Mickey Mouse boots and good coat and bibs will keep you on the ice. Hand warmers are great too.
A 5 gallon bucket will haul your gear and give you something to sit on. 40 lb salt bags are great for hauling your catch in. You will a dipper to skim your hole, I like the plastic ones as I can squeeze them and clear built up ice off.
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Post by BOWn Hunter on Feb 7, 2015 14:01:09 GMT -5
lol thanks guys helps a lot to get me going! now just need some solid ice!
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Post by stevein on Feb 8, 2015 13:33:13 GMT -5
You won't find much better ice than we have now, at least up north here. 2 weeks ago there was 8" to 10" and making more. It will be a thrill when you hear the ice cracking and popping as it puts more down  |
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Post by BOWn Hunter on Feb 8, 2015 20:43:49 GMT -5
lol well its been in the 50's here the last two days and id say we are pushing a 1/2" of ice
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Post by esshup on Feb 9, 2015 11:14:01 GMT -5
Suprised nobody mentioned it.
Ice picks around your neck EVERY time you go out, and if you are going alone, tell someone where you are going, and when you expect to return home. Read about how to get out of the ice if you fall through.
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Post by stevein on Feb 11, 2015 10:40:32 GMT -5
I carry a pair of spikes, forgot about that. A rope in your bucket can be right handy along with a throw-able cushion float. I use a spud on new ice. I have not fallen through in 40+ years, so I figure I am due and use more caution than in my youth.
O A if you get ice look for a crowd and go up to the guy with the biggest pile of fish, introduce yourself as a rookie or FNG and ask for tips.
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Post by BOWn Hunter on Feb 11, 2015 13:17:33 GMT -5
I carry a pair of spikes, forgot about that. A rope in your bucket can be right handy along with a throw-able cushion float. I use a spud on new ice. I have not fallen through in 40+ years, so I figure I am due and use more caution than in my youth. O A if you get ice look for a crowd and go up to the guy with the biggest pile of fish, introduce yourself as a rookie or FNG and ask for tips. LMAO always good to get advice from the guy with the biggest pile! |
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Post by stevein on Feb 11, 2015 18:16:22 GMT -5
I carry a pair of spikes, forgot about that. A rope in your bucket can be right handy along with a throw-able cushion float. I use a spud on new ice. I have not fallen through in 40+ years, so I figure I am due and use more caution than in my youth. O A if you get ice look for a crowd and go up to the guy with the biggest pile of fish, introduce yourself as a rookie or FNG and ask for tips. LMAO always good to get advice from the guy with the biggest pile! Worse case is he will give you some fish to quit bugging him.  The majority of ice fishermen and women are a friendly bunch. The big group will hold at least one guy willing to help. There is still a learning equipment curve. You can match the baits, rods and reels, line and jigs and still get your but kicked by a certain presentation. |
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Post by trophyparadise on Mar 4, 2015 13:52:15 GMT -5
Have fun! I took up ice fishing 3 years ago...it's highly addicting Trophy Paradise Habitat Consulting "Trophies are built from the ground up" www.facebook.com/trophyparadise |
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Post by kevin1 on Mar 5, 2015 13:01:48 GMT -5
We don't have this "ice fishing" thing you speak of down here in Southern Indiana, but isn't it usually just another excuse to get away from the old lady and drink beer while freezing your tail off? |
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Post by BOWn Hunter on Mar 5, 2015 13:08:24 GMT -5
We don't have this "ice fishing" thing you speak of down here in Southern Indiana, but isn't it usually just another excuse to get away from the old lady and drink beer while freezing your tail off? It's like you know me.. lol  Haven't even had a chance to go yet. every time we get some good cold weather its followed up with ice melting temps and makes everything a mess! |
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Post by trophyparadise on Mar 5, 2015 13:23:14 GMT -5
If you want to give it a try head north. I'm 80 miles north of indy...all the lakes here have 14" plus of ice Trophy Paradise Habitat Consulting "Trophies are built from the ground up" www.facebook.com/trophyparadise |
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Post by steve46511 on Mar 5, 2015 13:29:45 GMT -5
Since retired the one single thing I feel mandatory to add to my ice fishing gear is a set of Arctic Armor bibs and jacket. Ill get gloves too. Windproof, water proof (except one it seems) and three layers of insulation that one layer is rated for sub zero. I see people kneel on the ice all dang afternoon wearing them. There is another company making similar out there too that guys also like.
Warm, those I ask wearing them say, like nothing they have seen. One guy rode 4 miles on his quad on Erie in 10 degree weather to fish for walleye wearing his and nothing under it but a pair of sweat pants, shirt and jacket that matched the pants and said he wasn't uncomfortable at all. I've not wore them yet but handled a set and LIGHT? Wow.
I saw a guy laying on the ice in his. Took me awhile to realize he was taking a nap. Wasn't worried since two other guys were with him but it did get my attention LOL.
Equally, at least, important is the fact that they FLOAT, advertised to hold up three grown adults with a single outfit. Youtube has videos of people jumping in the water wearing them. They don't even go under when they hit the water.
Used to have a flasher and sold it. I'll get another, something smaller than my old one but this suit is first for me. Shanties are nice but with a good suit that is WARM I wont be taking mine as often. A pain loading and unloading them unless spending the day out in zero weather, IMHO. Several I know have the Marcum Showdown 5.6. Not color but light, small and can identify there are two objects in the water down to 1/2 inch apart. Its the simpler to use one of what Ive seen, and the smallest. Even have a hand held one (but not that crazy about it). Preacher friend has the 5.6 and he said he would leave his poles home before his Showdown. LOL
All he uses is that Showdown and one of them "palm" rods (18 inches long or so?) and he catches fish consistently. I almost bought one but my brother is jumping up and down telling me to buy one with gps and will take a map chip showing where you are on the lake and where the lake contour is from you. Yish. I just wanna fish. lol
Actually have my shanty for sale to help buy the suit. Nope......they are not cheap as you can guess but "worth every penny" is something I hear over and over and over from guys wearing them.
2lb line for panfish, I use 3 or 4 for bass and walleye on VERY forgiving rods. Still rods Id go 6lb.
Any of he fluorocarbon line is best but I fished with same ol Mono for decades without issues.
Spring bobbers are a must for me. Some good ones out there as well as some great rods with them on them.
Size 10 jigs is pretty much universal for panfish but I fish some down to size 16 and up to 8. My go to set up is a size 8 or 10 jig with a 8-10 inch dropper to a No 16 or 14 ice fly. Half the time I catch just as many on the ice fly with no bait. If hitting, go to one jig. Two on at the same time is a handful for a really light ice rod!
A real fun way to catch bass if not a jigger (I jig with smaller Rapala Jigging Rap most but other swimmers work as do spoons) is a standard spinning rod and reel , 6lb line (four if light rod), size 2-6 plain hook, couple split shot and bobber of choice. Fish a bass shiner on the hook, set bobber about half the water depth, and sit the rod down with tip or whole rod up on something with the bail open. If windy a rubber band around the rod in front of the reel works to slip a loop of line under it to stop the wind from unspooling the line.
When a bass comes around you will see the bobber bounce all over then *bloop* down it goes. Take your time. bass run with it a ways and stop, allegedly then killing the shiner and reversing it to swallow. Ive let rods set several minutes while busy with another. Pick up the rod and slowly reel in the slack till you feel pressure on the rod tip and set the hook.
Take some kind of hook removal tool. Needle nose pliers work but they have reg tools for such. Bass will swallow them and hook CAN be (but not always is) deep but rarely unreachable. Good thing they are "large mouth" lol.
Ive caught walley and bigger crappie on same rig while bass fishing.
Have fun! Lots of ice up here but wont be long 20 inches on the lake last weekend. (puff, pant!!) Drilling a hole is a pain. No power auger either. I hate having lots of stuff to drag out there, just like my deer hunting.
Old and lazy or "more efficient"......depends on whom you ask.
God bless
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Post by steve46511 on Mar 5, 2015 13:55:48 GMT -5
IMHO......the best rods for the money?
Look up
Midstream Rods and Hardwater Customs on facebook
Ice flies?
Sp00ky's" custom tungsten ice flies
Some don't like the rods because they are a clone of some others but, they are NICE rods at 1/3 the cost. I have 3
Spooky's TUNGSTUN ice flies are great, and the cheapest Ive found cost wise.
Two other ice fly guys are on facebook as well
Jack's Custom Rods, I like his ice flies, but a bit more than Spooky's. His rods are A LOT but another guy there has ice flies and rods........both more than either of those above but.....people buy them so must be good stuff. Not paying 140 dollars for an ice rod, no reel and 2 -2.50 each for ice flies. Im poor LOL
Jack copies another guy's rods so he gets slammed a lot but Ive seen his rods. Very nice, just TOO light for me.
Might be nice but dang.....
Several IN ice fishing groups on facebook. Contact me if you want my list of them in a PM.
Several of them have used stuff for sale. Ive got my shanty there.
God Bless
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Post by steve46511 on Mar 5, 2015 14:14:32 GMT -5
Just don't look at youtube ice fishing videos of guys fishing on Erie or Saginaw bay.
Youll want to buy a bigger shanty, a gps, heater buddies, trailers, snowmobiles, four wheel drive trucks to pull them etc.....like my brother has. I flinch every time he sends me email and I see photos are attached.
TIRED of seeing 25-30 inch walleye!! dagnabit LOL
God Bless
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Post by kevin1 on Mar 6, 2015 9:44:58 GMT -5
Since retired the one single thing I feel mandatory to add to my ice fishing gear is a set of Arctic Armor bibs and jacket. Ill get gloves too. Windproof, water proof (except one it seems) and three layers of insulation that one layer is rated for sub zero. I see people kneel on the ice all dang afternoon wearing them. There is another company making similar out there too that guys also like. Warm, those I ask wearing them say, like nothing they have seen. One guy rode 4 miles on his quad on Erie in 10 degree weather to fish for walleye wearing his and nothing under it but a pair of sweat pants, shirt and jacket that matched the pants and said he wasn't uncomfortable at all. I've not wore them yet but handled a set and LIGHT? Wow. I saw a guy laying on the ice in his. Took me awhile to realize he was taking a nap. Wasn't worried since two other guys were with him but it did get my attention LOL. I wear Arctic Shield bibs at work, they aren't waterproof, but extremely warm. Have you tried circle hooks? They're designed to hook fish in the corner of the mouth, they work like a charm. What, all that gear and no beer? Color me disappointed. |
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Post by featherduster on Mar 6, 2015 12:07:23 GMT -5
Go ice fishing today because in about a week the ice will be iffy at best.
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