| Did you hear the one about the guy who went | | | | P.S. One last thing... remember to take a light lunch |
| ice fishing and came back with 50 lbs. of ice? | | | | with you, just in case they decide not to bite or |
| Well, if you found yourself here your at least one | | | | your fishing technique is off for the day. I can |
| step ahead of this fella, that is unless you | | | | remember a few times when we had to have |
| intended to bring home some ice. | | | | "fish lip soup", it wasn't very filling. |
| Ice fishing is actually a very simple sport but must | | | | Well, seeing as you have made it this far. I guess |
| be practiced with some caution. | | | | an obvious question would be "When is the best |
| WHAT you say? | | | | time to go ice fishing ?" Everyone I know wants |
| Seriously before you set out to catch any fish on | | | | to get out there as soon as possible. It is |
| "hard" water there a couple of things you should | | | | probably because the fishing seems to be a little |
| be concerned about. Firstly, make sure you are | | | | better or more likely they just want to be the |
| equipped with the proper attire. Setting out from | | | | first one to haul one out of the hole. |
| home on a nice sunny day is fine but once you | | | | It is true that the fish are relaxed and in the best |
| approach your destination things may have | | | | feeding spots because they haven't been hassled |
| drastically changed or may change without notice. | | | | for several months. Trout in particular spawn in |
| This would also be a good time to check the | | | | the fall and can be found in deep water at this |
| weather channel or newspaper for the up to date | | | | time. You can find them on bars, shoals, rocks |
| weather forecast. | | | | and fingers. Perch, pike and walleye tend to look |
| Secondly, remember to check the ice conditions | | | | for shallow, weedy lakes because the oxygen |
| wherever you go, there are local ice hut | | | | level tends to be a lot higher. |
| operators or locals who are willing to help make | | | | Once the little villages spring up and the anglers |
| your trip safe. | | | | take their toll the catches tend to decrease but |
| A friend of mine told me once, "You can always | | | | don't despair they are still out there. You just |
| take it off, but its pretty hard to put it on if you | | | | have to work a little harder. |
| haven't got it!" | | | | So you need a few pointers because you're just |
| My advice, purchase a good floatation suit. They | | | | not catching your limit. |
| are warm and if you happen to break thru the ice | | | | Well what is it that you do in the summer time, |
| it will probably save your life. | | | | whether you are fishing from shore or boat if |
| A warm dry set of gloves, preferably without | | | | yournot getting the bites ?... You move. |
| fingers is a must. This way all the fingers share | | | | I do it all the time, it's not hard if you've got your |
| the warmth. A full face balaclava is also required | | | | own sled and make sure you've got a power |
| as well as sunglasses. A scarf can help but be | | | | auger, you'll need it. In order to be mobile you |
| cautionary of the vehicle you are using to get you | | | | really need to be prepared. This includes a |
| out to your favorite spot. You don't want to have | | | | portable shelter, flotation suit, auger, sled or 4x4, |
| it get tangled up in a chain or track. | | | | fish finder and GPS. Give yourself about 10 to 20 |
| Several layers of clothes are a benefit just for | | | | minutes per hole. That's enough time to find your |
| the luxury of taking them off. Another good idea | | | | depth, scratch the bottom for debris, rocks, sand, |
| is to have a fishing buddy. They are not only | | | | etc., set up your fish finder and locate fish and at |
| there to enjoy the day with you and help make | | | | what depth. It also allows you to try your |
| the fishing story a real tale but if an emergency | | | | technique to see if they are interested. If you |
| arises they are the only support you've got. | | | | happen to have the hydrographic map of the lake |
| We still have a few small things to do before | | | | or fished it before it helps. Try making calculated |
| setting out. Make sure your transportation is | | | | moves, such as holes, shoals and weed beds. |
| trustworthy, a general maintenance check will do, | | | | If you can afford it, get yourself several rods and |
| tell someone where your going and how long you | | | | rig them up with different presentations. Not only |
| expect to be gone and last but not least, a simple | | | | do you become a quick change artist but it saves |
| thing like a compass, so you don't get lost. | | | | tying on different lures when the weather isn't |
| Okay, are we having fun yet. Now that we have | | | | friendly. |
| got all the scary stuff done, its time to leave, | | | | Jigging is really an art form. Not to fast and not to |
| right .... WRONG ! | | | | slow, kind of a rhythm thing. Keep in mind it is |
| You forgot the gear. | | | | okay to jig hard at first, you want to attract |
| A general rule of thumb regarding gear is to | | | | them, get them interested. Once you've done |
| choose the equipment you will need to match the | | | | that slow down to a twitch by using only your |
| fish you are seeking (e.g. the larger the fish, the | | | | wrist or trolling from one side of the hole to the |
| heavier the tackle). | | | | other. Alternatively you can raise the rod tip a |
| Of course you won't be able to get to them if | | | | few inches and lower. Stir up the bottom a little. |
| you don't have a hole. So depending on the ice | | | | Make sure your rod is short, stiff and with big |
| and your wallet or both, you are going to need an | | | | eyelets. It's hard to fish in a hut that's only 4 x 6 |
| ice spud or hand\gas auger. You can purchase | | | | with a 3' rod. You only get one chance to set the |
| both but if you just happen to have a friend that | | | | hook, so if it moves you don't want the rod to |
| welds you can get him to make the spud up for | | | | bend. Having your line get frozen because of |
| you out of a 6' x 2" piece of flat steel and round | | | | clogged eyelets just isn't any fun. |
| bar. | | | | PAY ATTENTION! |
| Don't forget to weld a "T" on the top and grind | | | | No, I'm not trying to wake you up from your |
| the flat bar down to a chisel point. | | | | daydream but feeling a hit is not the only way to |
| If you are in good shape and have the time the | | | | get fish out of the hole. If you see the slightest |
| hand auger is great but if you intend to fish | | | | movement, either side to side or up or down, set |
| several spots and don't want to tire yourself out | | | | your hook! Remember, if your sending your lure |
| making holes get a gas auger. Look for an auger | | | | down and it stops and your not where your |
| with at least a 6" cut just so you can get the big | | | | suppose to be, you probably have one on the line. |
| ones thru the hole. | | | | Now, if you want to get them up the hole you're |
| Next, you'll need an ice skimmer. I suggest the | | | | going to need to hook 'em, so keep your hooks |
| aluminum one because if you are in a hut with a | | | | sharp. The easiest way to test is when you push |
| stove just warm it up a little and touch it to the | | | | the point thru the minnow, if the point doesn't go |
| hole and voila ... instant skim! Also, tie a light chain | | | | in easily either sharpen it or replace it. Speaking of |
| or rope on it just in case it falls down the hole. | | | | hooks, size is important, the smaller the bait the |
| Well, your almost there. You can't catch anything | | | | smaller the hook. Also, if you're using a large hook |
| without some type of jigging rod. They come in | | | | on small bait you restrict its movements and |
| all types, sizes and styles but look for one with | | | | could possible even spook your game. |
| which you will be comfortable with. This may take | | | | Timing the hook set is crucial when using minnow |
| a few outings to discover, so see if you have a | | | | bait. It is well known that most fish attack from |
| buddy who will lend you his or hers. Another | | | | the side, so don't try to set the hook at the first |
| general rule of thumb, a light rod for perch and | | | | sign of movement or tug. Allow the fish time to |
| panfish using 2 to 4 lb. test, medium action for | | | | swallow the minnow. Okay, so you lost your |
| trout, walleye, whitefish, etc. and 6 to 10 lb. test. | | | | patience had him and lost him. Don't be in a hurry |
| If you are energetic an have a second hole you | | | | to change your bait, put the line back down the |
| can also use a tip-up. They range in price from | | | | hole. Remember, he just lost supper and if he's |
| several dollars to around twenty-five bucks. Well, | | | | hungry he'll be back. Wait a couple of minutes and |
| this should get you started. The rest you can | | | | if you don't get a response your welcome to |
| learn from patience and experience. Good Luck | | | | change your bait. |
| and Good Fishing! | | | | |