What do you use to clean out the slush

[English]

Got back into spearing last year and had a blast. However, with my little skimmer it took quite awhile to clean up the slush from the ice saw. Does anyone make a bigger skimmer?  Homemade ideas?  I'd thought about using something with aluminum screen as a strainer but I think that might freeze up pretty bad. 

Mike

[Ryks]

We use a grain scoop and a old skimmer my grandpa used to use.  the skimmer is made out of an old cream separator or something.

[Highball]

A minnow net like the size used at bait shops when they dip a few dozen minnows out of the tank at a time.

[reproman]

I use an old minnow dip net. I've also known people to use plastic scoop shovels with holes drilled in it.

[English]

Thanks guys.  Buddy had mentioned the grain shovel with holes drilled in it.  Might do that. Have deer season to sit and think about ideas for ice fishing! 

Mike

[chilly-willy]

smelt dip net? fine mesh of course..

[English]

Chilly, I bet that would work if the frame is strong enough.

[TIBS]

I use a regular fish landing net to get the big stuff out, then switch to this to get the small fine stuff and to keep the hole clean.  Its a stainless kitchen strainer that I've attached to an old golf club.  Works well for my sturgeon hole, which runs 34"x60".  I don't even really need to reach hardly at all to skim the hole.

[chilly-willy]

I use a regular fish landing net to get the big stuff out, then switch to this to get the small fine stuff and to keep the hole clean.  Its a stainless kitchen strainer that I've attached to an old golf club.  Works well for my sturgeon hole, which runs 34"x60".  I don't even really need to reach hardly at all to skim the hole.

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do you have the problem of the mesh freezing wile scooping out the hole? my lacko permeant ice scoop have that problem is why I ask 

[TIBS]

No, but I'm in a nice permanent darkhouse with the heat roaring.  I've put a hanger hook up the side of the wall so that if it did freeze at all, the heater will melt it.

[chilly-willy]

No, but I'm in a nice permanent darkhouse with the heat roaring.  I've put a hanger hook up the side of the wall so that if it did freeze at all, the heater will melt it.

that what I was thinking on the metal bag nets like metal bag smelt nets you could leave it over the heater to melt fully for next round  of use...

[Woods or shanty]

Older metal Ford hub cap.
 Drilled several holes 1/4 "
 Fasten to a broken skimmer  handle.
 Tied off to wall.
Fits nicely at top of 5 gallon bucket, just dump and go for next scoop.
 Dry floor , and additional banking material.

[mwal]

It use the Doty's Dark house dipper. Don't leave home without it.website is iceshantygear.com

Mwal

[SirCranksalot]

I tried a toilet plunger last year to push it down----seemed to work quite well. Need a long handle though.

[Whatpole]

Go to Wallyworld Walmart and get a (cheap) small plastic snow shovel that has an extendable handle. Mine is about 16 inches across. Drill some holes in it to let the water pass through. Best thing I have found after spearing for 25 years.