View Full Version : Virgin Icefisherman
Mully
12-12-2009, 08:27 AM
Wife and I will be going to the Upper Penninsula between Christmas and new years. We are going to see if our "summer cottage" functions in the winter as well. Since our cottage is right on a small, 300 acre lake, we thought about giving ice fishing a try. I have ice fished a couple of times but it was a guided experience and I was not paying close attention to equipmment specifics. I know the lake well from summer fishing and there are plenty of panfish for the taking, maybe even a walleye or two. We want to start inexpensive and see where this new hobby leads.
Questions...
Ice auger? We want to purchase a hand held auger but what model is best? There are some northern and walleye so I would imagine I need an 8" blade.
Tip-ups? Want to purchase a few but what is best? How are they rigged? Do you use dacron with a flourocarbon leader? What about the specific "ice" lines? Since our cottage is on the water, I would want tip-ups with a mercury switch so we can keep track of them from the comfort of our living room.
Rods/Reels/mono? We have shimano ultra-light reels so all I need is a recommendation for a couple of inexpensive rods for jigging and line recommendations.
Terminal equipment? What do we need to get started? We will not be going hard core from the beginning so we want to start slowly. Jigging rapalas, ice jigs,
Miscellaneous? Any specialized items other than warm clothes and a $1000 ice shanty (maybe later) that an ice fisherman cannot do without.
Thanks in advance for your help. We realize there will be some expense but my wife and I are confident that this won't be a one time deal. We will be going to Bass Pro or Cabelas with a shopping list based upon your recommendations.
Mully
Mully
12-12-2009, 08:45 AM
OOPs. By hand held, I meant manual, not motorized. If someone made a non-hand held auger, that would be something.
jokerjim
12-12-2009, 10:27 AM
I don't think an 8" auger is a must for walleye or northern. Just remember it will take you alot longer and alot more effort to drill an 8" hole than it would a 6" hole. Most ice fishing for larger fish is done with tip-ups. For your first trip you may want to try for pan fish with a ice fishing pole.
jokerjim
12-12-2009, 10:34 AM
Oh yea, if you are the other half of the Mully/Handley team why not take your partner with you to drill the holes ?
Hardwater Fisherman
12-12-2009, 10:49 AM
Questions...
Ice auger?
Strikemaster Mora
Tip-ups?
: Frabill , the round insulated one so you don't have to worry about the hole freezing up as quickly (they make one with a built in light) How are they rigged? Do you use dacron with a flourocarbon leader?
Yes. I use a 3 ft leader attached to a barrel swivel so the line doesn't twist.
What about the specific "ice" lines?
: Berkley Micro Ice
Rods/Reels/mono? We have shimano ultra-light reels so all I need is a recommendation for a couple of inexpensive rods for jigging and line recommendations.
Shakespeare Ugly Stik Ice Rods. The line would depend on what you are fishing for. : 2 to 4 lb test for panfish and 6 to 8 for walleye.
Terminal equipment? What do we need to get started? We will not be going hard core from the beginning so we want to start slowly. Jigging rapalas, ice jigs,
: Northland tackle has some kits that are inexpensive.
Miscellaneous? Any specialized items other than warm clothes and a $1000 ice shanty (maybe later) that an ice fisherman cannot do without.
: Ice cleats for your boots. Also a propane heater to warm the hands up. And waterproof gloves for handling all the fish you catch.
Thanks in advance for your help. We realize there will be some expense but my wife and I are confident that this won't be a one time deal. We will be going to Bass Pro or Cabelas with a shopping list based upon your recommendations.
Mully
I'm sure I forgot something but feel free to ask.
CI_Guy
12-12-2009, 07:19 PM
Check to see if any bait shops in the area rent flashers. If you use one once you'll never fish without it.
Mully
12-13-2009, 06:48 AM
Thanks for the information. No I'm not part of the Mully and Hanley team but I wish I had his job.
Speaking of a flasher unit, I have a lowrance 67C that is mounted on the bow of my boat. I believe there are conversion units that I can make this a portable depth finder. Anyone try this for the ice? Could you use the unit through the ice (on clean ice surface) to get a depth reading without drilling. I know the general areas of drop-offs and summer weedlines that If the unit could transmit and recieve through the ice, it would save me some excercise on the ice.
Regarding the 6" vs 8" auger - My only concern if I went with the 6" and I got into a larger northern, would I have a problem? I guess I rather have too large of a hole than too small. Is there a big diffference effort wise in drilling 6" or 8"?
Ice cleats, good call. If there is no snow on the ice, these would be a neccessity.
Shopping list starting to come together.
jokerjim
12-13-2009, 07:52 AM
Not much difference drilling a 8" hole over a 6" hole on thin ice but on thicker ice you can really feel the difference. Would have to be a very large northern to not be able to get in thru a 6" hole.
steve l
12-13-2009, 07:11 PM
Before "investing" a small fortune consider hooking up with a few regulars that fish that lake. Likely they have "it" down patted and can set you down the right path. Most folks won't mind you hanging around if you are offer to cover some bait or some beer or even food works well. Then if you still want to go forward with it look into some good used equipment, there is plenty out there and much is negotiable, in fact buy only what you need to get by and watch for deals in late winter and early spring. Unless of course you are well off then go to the local stores and patronize them.
And yes to the X67C, I use mine for soft and hard water with excellent results, but I use my Vex more but like to have both along...good luck to you and be safe!
duckbutter
12-15-2009, 05:11 PM
When I startred ice fishing (some 50+ years ago) we used a hand auger or a spud. We carried two five gallon pails each, one for gear, one for food and beverage and two to sit on and put fish in. We later graduated to a smaller sled we could pull out where you can easily get all of your gear in. When we went to the sled, we bought two old metal folding chairs to sit on to give our backs some support. They work great--take a couple of old towels to put on the seats--makes a big difference if you are out there a while. Everybody above has pretty well covered the tackle you need. One other thing we took with the sled was a small snow shovel to clear the slush away from our jigging holes and tip up holes. Good luck, be safe, and have fun.
caffeineforall
12-15-2009, 07:46 PM
When I startred ice fishing (some 50+ years ago) we used a hand auger or a spud. We carried two five gallon pails each, one for gear, one for food and beverage and two to sit on and put fish in. We later graduated to a smaller sled we could pull out where you can easily get all of your gear in. When we went to the sled, we bought two old metal folding chairs to sit on to give our backs some support. They work great--take a couple of old towels to put on the seats--makes a big difference if you are out there a while. Everybody above has pretty well covered the tackle you need. One other thing we took with the sled was a small snow shovel to clear the slush away from our jigging holes and tip up holes. Good luck, be safe, and have fun.
When I first started (no where near 50 years ago), it was a spud, and 2 buckets per person. I definitely do NOT miss spudding through 8" of ice, ugh what a pain in the neck :P
Mully
12-16-2009, 06:27 AM
Wife and I hope to keep it as simple duckbutter/Caff.. Since we already have a lowrance 67C, were were also looking into a conversion kit so we can use the unit on the ice. That is about as high tech we will be getting this season, if at all.
Speaking of electronics, can you use these transducers "through the ice"? I seem to remember watching a fishing program where the fisherman removed excess snow and poured water onto the ice surface and was able to get depth readings without drilling, is that possible?
Thanks again and Merry Christmas.
steve l
12-16-2009, 10:44 PM
If there is clear ice and not much "milkyness" to it that method works but not always.
Not sure of regulations in UP but here any line must not be unattended. The tip up or line must not be more than x feet from the fisherman. Pretty healthy penalty for this. Enforcement may vary by area and commitment of assigned DNR officers.
Mully,
Ice fishing is pretty simple.
If you haven't done it before, simply pick up a wind up line on a stick for $1.
Pick up a 4 inch hand auger, which will handle virtually any fish.
Pick up some live bait suitable for the lake where you are fishing along with a couple of small bobbers and go fishing.
Then, if you find you like it - pick up more things.
Total investment - under $20.
Take care
REW
#1-Go out with a few guys that do it a lot and use some of their equipment to see what you like.
Get the 8" auger. When it gets cold the holes start to ice in and an 8" turns into a 6" but a 6" turns into a 4". I cant believe much difference in price on a hand auger.
Rods-Personal preference. Like most guys you will start out wih cheaper gear and then want better more specialized stuff later once you learn what you like.
Ice House-there are some pop up houses for $150-400. I think Eskimno has one for $130.
Terminal. hook/split shot/bobber.
Lures: Buckshoot Rattlespoon is my favorite, Rattle jig. You only need 1-2 of each as I rarely loose any gear.
Chad is correct. I use a 10 inch power auger because in cold temperatures the hole will freeze up. I would add a bucksaw & small axe. We always make a fire unless we fish far from shore. We used (sometimes still use) to fish with only a spool of line, spoon/jig or just plain hook & sinker, a small branch for a rod and frozen minnows. You can go with modern equipment but far from necessary. You only need basic equipment. Best of luck, stay dry and enjoy.
blueicecpa
12-28-2009, 12:26 PM
. Since we already have a lowrance 67C, were were also looking into a conversion kit , yes they have one. Also I use a Lowrance 68c.
They work great on the ice
PPP-15IPart #16-45$174.95Ice fishing portable accessory pack. Includes ice fishing transducer, custom soft-side carry case, battery and charger.http://www.lowrance.com/upload/buynow_button.gif
from
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