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Fish more, get the big four
The
bait you simply cannot go on without: wax worms, minnows, assorted PowerBait,
maggots. It is best to keep these bait separated and as much as possible alive
using coolers such as a small Coleman.
Clean `em all up
Inspect and clean
the rods and fishing reels you are going to use. Q-tips are best for taking out
the nicks in every nook and cranny of your ice rod. Non-freezing oil for lubing
fishing reels is advisable.
Heat up
Do not forget to bring
those heaters and pounds and pounds of propane cylinders. One cannot fish
comfortably if he or she is as cold as the fish under the ice. Ice fishing
should be fun and feel comfy too.
House up
The ice is harsh and cold
but it doesn’t mean you have to feel that too. Ice tents should be cleaned
out as well by putting over a light coat of lubricant at the joints. If there
is any wear or tear, it is best to contact the manufacturer in order for them
to send out the appropriate repair kit, as deemed necessary.
Gear Up
Better be safe than sorry,
make sure you get a set of lifeguard spikes as well as a safety rope. Also, to
feel less of the cold and at the same time be cool, pick up a fishing coat from
the Carhartt Extremes Arctic Jacket. Avoid frost bits on your toes and feet,
the best shoes are the Irish Setters Versa Trax to keep you warm all over.
Find out more about fishing at
http://aboutfishing.org
http://freezinesite.com/articles.cgi/read/34802/Ice-Fishing-Anyone.html
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Gearing Up for Ice
Fishing Chris Hustad
It’s that time of year, ice
fishing season is upon us. Cold weather has started the freezing process a
little bit earlier this year. Consistent cold temperatures and no snow are the
ingredients for some thick, sturdy ice; just when we need it. It’s going
to be a good ice fishing season this year, and there should be plenty of action
this December no matter what species you’re pursuing.
Scouting for the ice fishing season is
a lot like any other season. A few hours of your time in the off-season can
dramatically increase your ice fishing success. And if you’re equipped
with the right tools like a GPS, an Internet connection, and a sonar,
it’ll allow you more time fishing and a lot less time looking. Here’s
a few ice fishing tips that I recommend.
If you have a GPS, then your research
starts in the summer. When you find a good honey hole, chances are it’ll
still be good in the winter. If you spend a lot of time searching your favorite
lake in the wintertime looking for “that one spot”, you can save
yourself a lot of time next year with a small purchase. Using your GPS and a
small journal, you can map out your favorite humps, rock piles, drop-offs, etc.
This gives you the option to be very mobile when a spot turns cold. If
you’re using a portable and packing light, you can be fishing another spot
within minutes.
This summer I spent some time on the
Nodak Outdoors stocking report search for North Dakota. This is available to
members in the members area. It includes a database and links for stocking
reports for North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. I checked the counties
that I frequent while ice fishing in North Dakota and some neighboring counties
I normally pass up. To my surprise, there are a lot of lakes that I didn’t
know exist, and that hold a good fish population. I found a lake that I’ve
never heard of that has one of the highest stocking levels in the state.
Without searching I never would’ve found it. The search shows all lakes,
counties, species, year stocked, number stocked, and species type in the state,
and with coordinates to each lake. Get out this winter and experience some new
lakes, you’ll be glad you did.
Nothing has increased my ice fishing
success the past 4 years more than my sonar. I use a Vexilar, but there are
many other quality sonar’s on the market. For those of you who are unaware
of its abilities, here’s a few features that’ll save you time and
bring more fish. The sonar’s work starts before the first hole is drilled.
With some water applied to the ice surface, you’re able to read the depth
and bottom type of the lake. This saves you time from the conventional method
of drilling and dropping a weight to check the depth. Within 5 minutes
I’ll know the exact locations of the drop-off’s or the middle of the
river channel. Once the fishing starts, the sonar will basically take over for
the rest of the time. While monitoring your lure position depth, you’re
able to see approaching fish towards the lure. I benefit the most from the
sonar while crappie fishing. Crappies move suspended to the bottom, and
I’m able to keep the lure above the fish and trigger more strikes while
keeping my bait “in the zone”. Crappie schools can be brief, so the
more action you can get out of a running school the better. Keep your battery
fresh, and charge it right after every time you use it. In the off-season
I’ll charge it every other month for an hour or so to keep it
fully-powered.
Ice fishing is one of the best times of
the year to get family and friends involved in the outdoors. At times it’s
more of a social event than it is a fishing trip, and I enjoy every minute. And
there’s nothing that’ll spark people more than watching a bobber drop
again and again, an hour of good action has landed me some new fishing partners
over the years.
Get out this winter and be safe!
Check out the Ice Fishing Information
all this winter.
http://www.nodakoutdoors.com/ice-fishing/ice-fishing-equipment.php
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