| | It’s time to get ready to go ice-fishing! Every year so many of us realize in amazement that the ice-fishing season is fast approaching. Where does the time go?
Although there are still lots of open water fishing opportunities available, many anglers have put the boat and open water gear into storage. Now is when we should be getting the ice-fishing gear out of storage. I recently woke up to a covering of snow: Ice can’t be far behind. We had an early start to ice-fishing last year, this season we could see the same thing. Following are some ideas for preparing for the ice-fishing season.
 First, start with the gear you already have. Get the auger out and make sure it starts. Modern ice augers are amazing tools. They are used in brutal conditions, but they are very reliable. Nonetheless, if it isn’t going to start, it’s better to find out now than when you get on the ice.
Make sure the blades are sharp. If you had trouble getting through the ice last year, and if you didn’t sharpen or replace the blades then, they sure aren’t going to be sharper now.
Charge the batteries on your depth finder. A good sonar unit will put fish on the ice. Many of the most successful ice anglers won’t go fishing without a sonar.
If you have a portable shelter, erect it and air it out. Make sure no mice found that candy bar that you forgot in the shelter when you stored it after your last ice-fishing trip. If some parts are missing, get them replaced now. We want to be ready to hit the ice as soon as it’s safe.
Give your ice-fishing clothing a quick going over. Make sure it still fits. I discovered last year that some of my ice-fishing stuff shrunk over the summer. Funny how that happens: It fit when I put it away six months ago, now it’s too small.
Now for some new stuff you might want to check out. Frabill has added to or altered it’s existing line of outstanding portable shelters. Maybe this is the year you start introducing a youngster to ice-fishing and need more room in the shelter, or maybe it’s time for you to treat yourself to a new shelter with modern features. If a large shelter at a nice price interests you, check out the Excursion from Frabill. If you can, visit a Cabela’s store and spend some time sitting in all the shelters that are of a size that interest you. Make sure your knees aren’t at nose-level when you sit, check zippers on the doors for ease of operation, just spend some time determining which shelter best fits your needs.
Be sure to check out the new Hexi Fly from Northland. This jig was designed to return a strong signal on your sonar unit so you can always see it, even in vegetation. If you know where your bait is, you can more easily detect if something is looking at it. The Hexi Fly will be easier to keep track of.
Ice-fishing season is closing in. You’ll enjoy your ice-fishing more if you’re ready to go when it’s time to do so.
For more fishing information visit fishingthemidwest.com and watch all the 2009 episodes of Fishing the Midwest television on WalleyeCentral.com in the video section and on MyOutdoorTv.com. |
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