What did you learn this ice fishing season?

[djlangen]

I try to learn something new every time I go out fishing and try to reflect on what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. Here are a couple of takeaways from this ice season (in no particular order).

1) Sharp hooks are a must for consistent hookups
2) Good ice fishing line is worth its weight in gold--I had too many breakoffs this winter due to using old 2 lb. golden stren
3) Sometimes less is more--some of the best ice fishermen I know are masters at "keeping it simple."
4) Fish with those you love--a day out on the ice with my dad or son  is priceless
5) You catch more fish when you're warm--many days this past winter when I was happy to have warm suit and shelter when I needed it

What are some things that you took away from this ice season? What do you plan on doing differently next year?

[3300]

*keep a better eye on the shore ice. it went out in less than an hour while we were ramping up for the end of day bite.

*get the ol lady better boots.

*try to find new fishing buddies that don't need to get a buzz every time we hit the ice.

*sled bottom savers are worth their weight in gold.

[Big Ice Hole]

How to icefish for Lake Trout, to much snow and slush sux, don't leave your catch on the ice.

[OldCaveman]

   I learned to use worms on my tip ups for trout. Caught my PB brown trout with a dillie fished about 10' under the ice in about 25' of water. Caught my 1st brook trout thru the ice using the same method. It was a nice hook jawed male. Who knew.

[Old Goat]

The FL-18 with a proview iceducer and 2 suppression cables is gold.

[bassbull]

Fish don't always winter up in the same areas every year. Very tough year as a hole, even to say it was the worst year I have ever had. But hopefully there is next year!!!!! STEVE

[Fry Flier]

You need to screen some people before taking them fishing, 2 reasons.
1) Safety, we ended up with the death of a fisherman in our area that died from foul play by hooking up with a person(s) unkown to him.
2) If you are not compatible on shore you will likely be more incompatible on the ice.

[3300]

You need to screen some people before taking them fishing, 2 reasons.
1) Safety, we ended up with the death of a fisherman in our area that died from foul play by hooking up with a person(s) unkown to him.
2) If you are not compatible on shore you will likely be more incompatible on the ice.

not good at all!
is the murder(s) captured?

[don519]

I agree with you on who you bring I took a guy turned out to be a slob leaving butts and trash then he got mad because I made him clean up his mess now after going twice he wants to go solo or with his 4 yo and I keep telling him not to take her and not to go solo even if the guy at the bait store says the ice is safe oh and he can't swim

[Fry Flier]

Not sure how it is going but the suspect was charged and in court about 6 weeks ago.
http://www.intelligencer.ca/2015/02/11/muddy-waters-in-trial

[masoneddie]

I learned that a drill auger is the nuts and I will never hand drill again.....ever!   

Learned a ton of stuff as usual, from all of you guys here on the Shanty, too much to list...appreciate all of your posts and willingness to share...

[Whopper Stopper]

Appreciate all of your posts and willingness to share...

           X2

       WS

[after-4]

DON'T NEED BAIT TO CATCH FISH. STARTED FISHING WITH PLASTICS AND HAD THE BEST TIME YET IN 45 YRS. ICE FISHING.

[Green Mountain Boy]

Always carry an extra set of auger blades/cutter head in your tackle box or leave them in car trunk for the season!

I had the misfortune in the effort of an outing after only drilling three holes, setting up tip-ups as I went along, then on the forth hitting a boulder below the ice clearing out the shavings when cutting through - auger done for the day!

[IM-POUNDING- R -U]

That i should have built a "SMITTY SLED" 30 years ago!!!!

[3300]

Not sure how it is going but the suspect was charged and in court about 6 weeks ago.
http://www.intelligencer.ca/2015/02/11/muddy-waters-in-trial

thanks.
so it was a red boat, blue boat, bad weather day. with out of the ordinary actions of the blue boat occupants.
with cell phones, it can add an all new dimension to "foul play". blue boat might have been waiting to assist whom ever was in the red boat to do his dead.
sorry to hear about this, but it might have been orchestrated and what we read about is the played out version. kind of like hunting "accidents" can be.

at first it sounded like someone was on the ice and a stranger walked up to a fisherman and shot or cut him/her. some random act of murder. glad it's not that, seemingly.

thats why we are not supposed to stop and help fellow motorists any more. gangs are acting as decoy's in distress to get you to stop and offer a lending hand. then they pounce.
let their cell phone get the help they need is how to deal with that now days. best to not be a victim. victims have no rights in court.

[Registered Kayak]

A gas auger (chipper) is a blessing for thick ice and only weighs 25lbs.
The Maki plastics have filled the buckets.
Always bring ice anchors and tie down straps when fishing Champlain in a pop up sled.
And .............. there can be nice people on this site 

[Van_Cleaver]

A long super light jigging rod with a flashy spoon + a Mister Jigger is pretty much money in the bank for pan fish. Also don't take so many music jobs on weekends in March; never know when we will have good late season conditions.

[rdhammah]

don't get sick for the entire month of January

[adipose]

dont hide extra fish in the air cleaner of the truck ....they taste like gas. Oh sorry....i thought it was april 1st

[bigal409]

I learned that my local lake doesn't have any hungry fish. 

[perch chacer]

When buying a new item you should ask experienced people that have the particular item how they like it before you go to the expense.  I bought a propane gas auger this year and it worked fine for the most part until the temperature dropped near zero.  The gas line froze on two different fishing trips which made the auger useless.  Luckily I always carry on my sled a hand auger as back-up.

[Cantgetenough]

 Lie to the guy thats always late-if your leaving 6am tell him 515am he just might be on time ....Always buy your own bait never rely on someone else.  Sharpen your darn hooks... 

[hunts2long]

  The gas line froze on two different fishing trips

Then why is it that gas lines from outside tanks, that are outside all winter, don't freeze?...h2l

[pastaboy]

Always get to the lake early, sit on the entire bucket-not just the edge, never ever use fishing reports to plan an outing-different day-different lake...... You know the old saying: "should have been here yesterday".

[merkleyb]

Power auger is the ticket - even if you have to share it with your cousin

[wirenut45]

learned milw. m18 drill, clam plate, ,n, mora 6" auger is the "nuts" for icefishing. carried extra batt., only used it 1 time all season.

[Rugburn]

learned milw. m18 drill, clam plate, ,n, mora 6" auger is the "nuts" for icefishing. carried extra batt., only used it 1 time all season.

X2

[deerhunterkyle]

This season, I learned that:

A ) I should never head to a flag without the minnow bucket and scoop, keeping it in the sled makes it easier.
B ) The times I forget A ), there will be a fish on the line and the times I remember A ) there will be no fish.
C ) Put my hemostats on a retractable cord.
D ) If I forget C ) my hemostats end up at the bottom of the lake.

[slipperybob]

I've finally converted a buddy to fly reels and plastics.  Yes he out fished me this season.