New gear for this year?

[flyfishbowhunticefish]

I just ordered frabills new Blackhawk tipups....its quite an upgrade from my current arsenal but I was wondering if anyone had ever used em.   Also this year....my homemade guitar string spring bobbers will make their debut....simple guitar string w loop and glass beads for visibility....looks good so far.    An Eskimo z51 may b added late season....    cant wait for the cold!  Lets get the posts goin n get ready!   Anyone else got any new gear or new ideas to share?

[hesseltine32]

Got 4 new tip ups and a new ML rod. Did put a few other things on the x mass list though so maybe a few more.

[icefisherinbalto,md.]

I've got some guitar spring bobbers. Never have used them. Always used the store kind. They should work o.k. I'll rig a rod this year and give them a try. Good tip!!!

[orange pants]

I've  been using guitar string bobbers for years.I use one that is for the low E string on a acoustic guitar.It is .056".I use rod tip cement and attach a small rod tip guide to tne guitar string.I paint it with fluorescent spray paint.The paint will usually last about one season before it cracks off.You can either tape it to the rod or wrap it on with the thread used for tying guides to rods.They have worked great for me.The spray paint I use is fluorescent orange.

[chumster]

Got a new 12 volt lithium ion battery for my finder. Weighs less than half as much as the regular one but lasts quite a while longer. Also got some new expedition tungston jigs. These suckers glow like crazy. One charge lasts about 15 minutes.

[vasea]

Got new Yaktrax Diamond Grip ice cleats, two new marmish max rods, marmish jigs, checai jigs, Dave Genz Legacy UL combo, was using it fishing from the boat for crappie and perch, really liked it, but broke the tip, rod is still usable bit not sensitive enough, then I read the post about guitar string spring bobber, watched some videos, turned out I have dulcimer strings beads and isolation tape, made spring bobber and attached it to the rod, tried it over past weekend it is really good, also got Spiderco Ceramic File, is great for hook sharpening. 

[cyclocoastie]

Man all got was clean underwear and new-to-me socks.....

[jeepdude64]

wife got me a lowrance elite 5 with chirp ice machine.  can't wait to test it out but i will have my vex 8 as a backup or if someone needs one.  I also picked up 2 eagle claw inline reels to try before i spend a bunch on the expensive ones.  curious how they work and who else has tried them.