early ice safety

[icechaser]

yes we all want to walk on ice-but a few precautions make all the difference between a successful trip; and a bath in the extreme icebucket challenge of falling through.-
Firstly-don't automatically walk onto earlyice at the launch. Look around for areas that are shaded most of the day w/ the least sun exposure to walk on.
Also stay away from current channels+bottlenecks during early ice-these areas freeze last.
Small, shallower ponds freeze first-and most uniformly.
spud often - and have those blaze orange handle-spikes on a cord around your neck : if you do fall in they make it easy to pull yourself out.
-If the ice feels as if it is moving up+ down w/ the water like liquid-it is. and a certain feel-you'll know it if you're on it-get off it. Don't be a hero+ fish a day on 2" ice because it "seems" safe-wait for 3-4" solid-bring a measure tape to make sure.
And if you do fall in- don't panic; get yourself back up- assess your immediate situation and pull yourself out-
But we hope no one has to experience that so be safe+ enjoy it!-Any other tips+ safety precautions would be very welcomed to try and make this a comprehensive post on ice fishing safety for all.

[Ravo Himself]

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I have always thought this video is very informative for if you should be unlucky enough to fall through. I'm a pretty light young guy at 170lbs and 21 years old but I know my limits and know how to read the ice. I've been on ice since I was 5. If I know the pond and it's black ice I'll fish on 2" and feel comfortable. But that's just me. I also like to drill a serious of perimeter holes to mark my "safe zone". As long as I don't go past those I know how thick the ice is and that I shouldn't go through. But like stated. Always try to fish with a buddy. If you're alone always have picks, some sort of rope and a change of clothes in the truck is never a bad idea.

Be safe out there everyone. Use your heads, be aware, stay dry, but most importantly. Have fun and tight lines!

[NorthEastFisherman]

And it's not just your weight its you and your gears weight. Here's another video cause these guys are awesome and great fishermen