Going ice fishing for the first time - need tips

myright

myright

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2008
Messages
5,145
Alright fellas - it's not a remote location there will be plenty of people there and a boy scout troop with an auger for rent. I don't plan on buying any special gear (rods, tip-ups, etc.) But would like some tips.

Check out crappiederby.com this is the event.

There will be prizes for big fish, most fish, etc.

Any pointers you guys/gals could throw out there would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Anthony
 
Don't fall in!! It is very cold.

I would look for some vegetation or if you can get a lake map, look for breaks, deep holes. Live bait usually outfishes artificial. We never go without some minnows.

Crappies are usually suspended in the water.
 
from my only experience ice fishing: take lots of beer and bourbon/scotch/rum/antifreeze of your choice.
 
handwarmers,light line #4 on light rod, small jigs,mousies or spikes be patient, be persistent, good luck and tight lines,,,,,:thumbup::D
 
If you have a tent laying around they make the simplest cheapest ice huts for fishing from if you're looking for a way out of the wind and such.
That's my tip of the day. More to come.
 
Hey myright,

I would try a couple of things, minnows on a small treble hook with one or two split shot to keep them down....these can be fished "unattended" just make sure the rod is held down. For jigging, one of my favs is the Nuclear Ant from Custom Jigs & Spins, you can usually find these in the big box outdoor stores. I like the ant weightless, tipped with a wax worm or similar small wiggly.

Don't forget a skimmer to keep your holes open (stay away from the plastic ones) something to sit on and a scrap of carpet can be nice to rest your feet on (really helps to keep your feet warm). Oh, and get the BAWK out for some winter fun too!

I love to ice fish (as does my son), it really is a ton of fun. Good luck!
 
Don't underestimate the weather, bring plenty of cold weather gear with you even if its mild. Standing around in the open has its way of chilling one to the bone. Dress will make the difference between a good day and a miserable one.

Bring plenty of food, food will fuel your metabolism, and it always tastes better outside. Bring liquids as your body will dehydrate in the cold making you feel colder. A flask of scotch is a good option, but know your limit when out in the cold.
 
It sounds dumb but make sure you have a ladel...you know to scoop out the ice as it forms. I have gone before with friends and I went one time and no one brought one, so we had to use a makeshift scooper out of wood, still doesnt beat a ladel or ladle.

small rods are best when sitting around the hole (specific ice fishing rods are cool but I love my emrod for it). My friend has a strike indicator setup for his but its a bit fansier than I like to do. We definatley set up some kind of wind protection, small tents are nice and we usually have a kerosene heater of somekind placed on a stand to keep the heat away from the ice.

I like jigging myself but will also use live bait, just a preference as I dont catch a heck of alot ice fishing but its fun and its an excuse to get out and have fun.
 
Thanks for the tips fellas! I do have a topo map of the lake so I will check that out and see if I can find myself a drop off or a hole. Good tip about the crappie liking to stay suspended.

I honestly hadn't thought about taking a tent or something. I don't really have anything all that small and portable enough. I guess I was thinking I wouldn't be sticking around the same hole all day but I guess I will. There will be three of us so we'll have a number of holes I'll assume. I've got some decent winter gear so I should be good there.

I plan to use a light action rod with light line. How worried do I need to be about the line rubbing the ice? The waters will have crappie, pickerel, walleye and perch - i'm not sure what else will be biting this time of year.

I may bring a flask but my buddy is a huge drinker so I'll remain sober since he isn't responsible enough to remain sober enough to drive.

Great idea on bringing a ladel!!! Never thought about that.

Thanks guys!
 
Get you some of those boot blanket boots from Cabelas. Found out they were really designed for slipping on up in your deer stand to keep your feet warm but they work really well on the ice too. I'd probably slip them on after you are already out on the ice though. Weren't really desinged to be walked around on rough terrain.

I've only ice fished on a trout lake so we used power bait. We had short ice fishing poles and laying them across a 5 gal bucket with the reel inside the bucket was enough of a rod holder for us. Don't know if that would work for all the possible catches you have there though.

Good luck. Stay dry. Alcohol bad. Water good. Kids having fun good. Layer up and have some fun!
 
WA Martin said:
Get you some of those boot blanket boots from Cabelas. Found out they were really designed for slipping on up in your deer stand to keep your feet warm but they work really well on the ice too. I'd probably slip them on after you are already out on the ice though. Weren't really desinged to be walked around on rough terrain.

I've only ice fished on a trout lake so we used power bait. We had short ice fishing poles and laying them across a 5 gal bucket with the reel inside the bucket was enough of a rod holder for us. Don't know if that would work for all the possible catches you have there though.

Good luck. Stay dry. Alcohol bad. Water good. Kids having fun good. Layer up and have some fun!
Click to expand...

I don't plan on drinking at all out there. It's supposed to be 9 degrees F up there this weekend. Probably double that next weeked and out on that lake its going to be cold. A friend of mine that is going is a big drinker so he'll probably get a little liquored up. I plan to save my drinking for that night.

I've got a pretty nice pair of matterhorns that were issued to me a few years ago that are still in great shape and keep my feet pretty warm.

Good idea on the bucket rod holder.

We are going to scout the place on Friday during the day to get a good handle on what we need to bring.
 
My tips for most ice fishing:

1) Use an attractor on your line (I use a Mepps spinner). The attractor is also your weight.
2) Remove the hook from the attractor if it is there is one and run your hook/jig about 8 inches under the attractor on about a 6 pound test line.
3) Live meal worms catch most fish. If not available from your bait dealer they can be found at most pet dealers. They are also easy to raise yourself (and much cheaper).
4) I find a cheap fly reel much better than a spincast type.
5) For your main line 6 pound test works well, unless going after lake trout.
6) If you have no intel on the lake/species you are fishing then start where others have holes, transition areas (shallow going into deep) and around points and Islands.
7) If you don't get any bites in about 10 minutes, then drill another hole and move on.
 
I can't stress the importance of dressing properly. Make sure you have windproof layers that you can remove and put on as needed. Sun comes out and the wind drops, it can warm up very quickly on the ice (make sure you have good sunglasses and sunscreen won't hurt either). Wind picks up and it clouds over, it'll get cold just as quick. You won't be moving very much so take care to insulate yourself from contact with the ice. I use a foam cushion that you often see in hockey arenas or football games ontop of a 5 gal. pail. Drink plenty of water and fluids. Take care of your feet. Don't put on 4 pairs of socks then squeeze your feet into boots. Allow room for circulation. The thicker the soles of your boots are the better insulated you are from the ice. I often fish on Lake Superior with the temps in the -30s and -40s. Have fun and take some pics for us!!:thumbup:
 
barny said:
If moving around a lot, a cheap plastic tobogan is nice to lug stuff around in.
Click to expand...

I use a calf sled for exactly this. Everything fits in perfectly. Also when it's really windy on the lake I put the sled upright like a tomb stone and put my back into it. No wind then and good times.
 
Well fellas - the truck is packed up and I am heading out tomorrow morning. I'll be fishing on Saturday. I'll be sure to post pics and tell about my learnings.

Thanks for the help.
 
Bring the mother in law to test ice thickness. :D:D

No, seriously, bring a wooden board for the boots, so that they are not in contact with the ice directly when sitting for long periods of time.

Tea or coffee is also nice.
 
1) Use live bait - minnows first, wax worms second

2) Jigg

3) daydream

4) Jigg

5) Fart

6) Jigg

7) drink a Beer

8) daydream some more

9) see #7

10) Jigg
 
I can't resist repeating an ice fishing story from Readers Digest many years back. This supposedly took place in Alaska. An avid fisherman wearing furs hiked out on the shore ice a mile or so to open water and was bait casting into the sea. An orca broke water close by and the guy was fascinated to see the huge predator.

However, the orca submerged and a few seconds later lunged up onto the ice and damned near got the fisherman! He chucked his pole, turned, and started running toward shore. The orca followed him under the ice and broke up through it several times trying to get the guy.

He later claimed he broke all existing records for running on ice, never went back for his pole and tackle box, and forever gave up ice fishing. I agree, a few thousand lbs of orca snapping at my behind would cure me too and also leave me with unwelcome stains in my underwear....
 
Last edited:
myright said:
Well fellas - the truck is packed up and I am heading out tomorrow morning. I'll be fishing on Saturday. I'll be sure to post pics and tell about my learnings.

Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...


Good luck and have fun. Been ice fishing once. Fell in. Soaked to my neck. We were there for 15 mins. Dad stripped me as naked as the day I was born. Covered me with his flannel and jacket. Went home. It sucked donkey..... well you can use your imagination from there. :o Sooooo my tips:

Don't fall in.
Stay warm.

You're welcome........ ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top