Ice Fishing 101

[Jason Preslar]

Just got back from Ohio Tuesday and done some fishing there. I'm going back in January most likely to do some ice fishing but don't know the first thing about it. I know most of us are probably clueless about this topic but i was hoping maybe some of you have ventured into the ice fishing world at some point in your lives. I know i need to get a rod designed for ice fishing (shorter) but thats about the extent of my knowledge. I need help on bait and or jigs, what types of line to use so the sharp ice won't damage it and also about drilling a hole through the ice to fish out of. Any and all help will be appreciated here. Thanks alot and good fishing to all of you

[John Sheehan]

Join these groups and read the posts.Hearty and  fun style of fishing .God luck Jason .Kinda pushing the season but I can feel your enthusiasm .

http://bigbluegill.com/group/eastcoasticefisherma

http://bigbluegill.com/group/wisconsinicefishers

[John Sheehan]

http://bigbluegill.com/photo/albums/ice-fishing-20102011

 

http://bigbluegill.com/photo/albums/ice-fishing-2010

 

http://bigbluegill.com/photo/albums/ice-fishing-new-jersey-janfeb

[Tony Livingston]

Now you're talking Jason. I would rather ice fish than fish warm water anytime. However, I am concerned anytime someone new picks up the sport. There is no such thing as safe ice......period. Thickness is one indication of the ice's condition, but used as a gage by itself, it is not enough. Will you have some experienced ice anglers with you on your first few trips? I sincerely hope so. Safety is paramount in ice fishing, everything else revolves around it. Your life, or the life of someone you're with, may hang in the balance. The learning curve can be tragically steep.

Now that I've hopefully instilled in you the need to be careful, I'll gladly touch on what works for me. When I started walking on water, I could carry all my gear in a single 5 gallon bucket. I had three Schooley rods, (google em', they are very basic but they do catch fish!), a half dozen teardrop jigs in various colors, a clip on plumb weight, some waxworms, and a pair of needlenose pliers. That first winter I used a splitting maul to bust a hole to fish through. By the way: standing over 20' of ice cold water, swinging a splitting maul at the plate glass between your feet will tell you a lot about yourself. It's also an excellent character builder for the buddies you fish with. However, I don't recommend it. I bought my first hand auger my second winter and never looked back.

That's it, all you need to catch fish. Like most hobby/sports, one can get as fancy, or as well equipped as your finances will allow. Nowadays, I use 24" ice rods equipped with micro spinning reels. I still have the Schooleys for backups, however. I also grew tired of sitting on a bucket while a small scale blizzard raged around me, making it nearly impossible to detect those subtle winter bites. So I purchases a flip-over shelter that has its own sled, and I load it with my gear and pull it behind me. Punch a hole with my auger, and flip the shelter over my head and I have an instant windbreak. It's suprisingly warm in there, and the dark interior allows the world under the ice to light up.... Sometimes, I can sight  down the hole and watch the fish take my bait.

I have also replaced my plumb weight with a portable sonar unit, specifically made for ice fishing. And to be truthful, it added a whole other dimension to my ice fishing.  However it is not necessary, and fish can be caught without it. If you try ice angling and like it, you can always purchase one down the road.

That's my take on the basics, please feel free to ask questions and I will be happy to elaborate about the different aspects of hardwater fishing.

[Tony Livingston]

I hear you Mike, I feel the same way about fly fishing. Why anyone would want to waste their time trying to catch such a miniscule insect by using fishing gear is beyond me. Don't they know that's what flyswatters are for? Of course, up here in chilly old Indiana we don't have to put up with flies in the wintertime anyway. I suspect that Floridians probably get pretty good at it though, since they're able to practice year-round.........

[Suzanne Lazar]

I came very close to doing a Google images search on "Ice Cube fish"...

[Israel Dunn]

If you have any specific questions send me a pm and I would be happy to answer them.  I live in WI and spend a ridiculous amount of time ice fishing each winter.  I chase the gills all over the lake while my buddies watch their tip ups.  I would be happy to help you get started.

[Jason Preslar]

thanks for everything guys; i'm sure i'll be calling on you guys again for some specifics, thanks again and good fishing to all of you

[Suzanne Lazar]

Yeah, I got a good chuckle out of that one- and the one about household fly fishing. What can I say, I'm a little slow...

[Ronald A Wilson]

i live in northeast ohio and we do some ice fishing most years . nothing quite like it ,i think that i actually do better sometimes ice fishing than open water. fish the same spots you fished in the summer . i usually use waxworms and magots ,sometimes gulp alive .i sometimes in the early ice season fish as shallow as 4 foot of water . if the water is clear we sight fish . it is amazing what you can learn about bluegills by watching them come up to your bait . lots of times you never see the line move or spring bobber (if your using one) move as the gills come up and get your bait .its a really addictive part of gill fishing and if you are properly prepared you will have a great time ,good luck ,there is a site i thinks its called the ice team that has a lot of infomation.

[Greg McWilliams]

http://bigbluegill.com/forum/topics/hard-water-season?commentId=203...

LOT OF ICE FISHING INFO HERE!!!!!!