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IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: mono_mono on Mar 09, 2017, 08:23 AM

Title: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: mono_mono on Mar 09, 2017, 08:23 AM
Mine would be jigging raps - Boy, those things really do it! Portable Buddy heater comes in at #2
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: lingcod on Mar 09, 2017, 08:51 AM
Ion rechargeable lithium battery auger, withreverse.   And, scented waxworms/spikes. I noticed that when I open the lid initially, they smell strongly of pine shavings. I remove the shavings and replace it with dried oatmeal flakes that have been sprinkled with scent (krill/anise works great). My perch catch improved greatly
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: adkRoy on Mar 09, 2017, 09:04 AM
When icefishing with a 4 year old bring:
1.) lots of candy, cookies, and snacks
2.) let them bring some toys of their choice to play with when they get bored fishing
3.) bring a small blanket and pillow so they can curl up in the jetslet and take a nap. (She loved doing that)
4.) take lots and lots of pictures. She loved seeing herself with her fish, setting up and taking down tip ups, helping to set up the hub shelter, etc.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: FG Steve on Mar 09, 2017, 09:40 AM
Frozen, cooked shrimp is good for trout bait.
Anker power pack to recharge my camera on multi-day trip works wonderfully.
Watched my buddy pull some monster trout out of 1 FOW.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: MT_mulies on Mar 09, 2017, 10:47 AM
Using a fish finder!!!!! Holy cow my catch rate went up about 10 fold. If I didn't see fish I new I had to move. I wasn't just blindly fishing.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: PaddyO on Mar 09, 2017, 10:56 AM
Going to a cordless drill w/ adaptor shaft for my 8" auger.  Never hand drill again! 
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: BackCountry Kyle on Mar 09, 2017, 11:02 AM
When icefishing with a 4 year old bring:
1.) lots of candy, cookies, and snacks
2.) let them bring some toys of their choice to play with when they get bored fishing
3.) bring a small blanket and pillow so they can curl up in the jetslet and take a nap. (She loved doing that)
4.) take lots and lots of pictures. She loved seeing herself with her fish, setting up and taking down tip ups, helping to set up the hub shelter, etc.

A few other things I learned to take from when my older boys were at that age...
Extra pair of boots
Extra pair of socks
Extra pair of gloves

Have a 3 yr old now,... took those every time, never needed them once, but when the older 2 were 3 & 4 couldn't go a 1/2 hour before a boot or a gloved hand went in a hole!
Evolution I guess!!
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: fishermantim on Mar 09, 2017, 11:10 AM
fishing sucks when you don't catch fish...and the weather bites the big one....and you forget something only AFTER you have hit the ice.


Oh, wait, then again, I could be stuck home with a "honey-do" list and lots of coughing and sneezing people looking to get me to join their "tissue-tearing" party...I'd rather be fishing!!!


Actually, I learned to never presume that I "know it all" about anything, and become more observant about what I am doing.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: skifisher on Mar 09, 2017, 11:38 AM
Like the weather, nothing is for certain. Fish one way one day and do well, fish the same way another day and catch nada. Best to mix it up a lot until you find what works.  ::)
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: Ice Scratcher on Mar 09, 2017, 11:56 AM
Milwaukee power source...

Converts my 18v drill batteries to 12v and 5v USB...

Runs everything, lights, radio, fan, phone charger, vex...

Way lighter than 12V SLA batteries..

Always looking to lighten the sled up some more...

<°)))>{
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: bigstorm on Mar 09, 2017, 12:12 PM
Mine would be the ION X auger. Aside from the ice up issue (that they quickly resolved for me), it works better then I expected. The second thing would be swapping out  the small treble hook on the 1/16oz slender spoon for a shrimpo jig/plastic from CJ&S. This improved the number of fish caught and also reduced the amount of time it took to get a fish unhooked
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: bowski76 on Mar 09, 2017, 12:31 PM
Milwaukee drill on a Clam Plate
Pop up shelter
Mr Buddy heater

We were fishing in the dark ages!
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: CMS on Mar 09, 2017, 05:00 PM
1.Flasher- it almost seems like cheating now.
2. Clam plate mounted on my drill- we had a good year with thick ice so it made life real easy.
3. Better quality sensitive rods- made detecting the lite Kokanee bites easier.
4. A couple new lakes- got out and tried some new lakes and was rewarded.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: rgfixit on Mar 09, 2017, 06:19 PM
My wood lathe!
Gave me something to do while I wasn't ice fishing. 2nd worst season ever for good ice in my area.

Rg
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: gil_lunkage on Mar 09, 2017, 08:27 PM
The comfort of striker ice bibs!  See you later old carharts(with love).
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: Knife2sharp on Mar 09, 2017, 08:43 PM
Marcum camera.  I can't believe I went this long without one. 
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: Light liner on Mar 10, 2017, 06:42 PM
Milwaukee power source...

Converts my 18v drill batteries to 12v and 5v USB...

Runs everything, lights, radio, fan, phone charger, vex...

Way lighter than 12V SLA batteries..

Always looking to lighten the sled up some more...

<°)))>{

Thanks for sharing, I have to get one of those.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: sihlms391 on Mar 10, 2017, 08:01 PM
My marcum lx 5 broke down and I had to go back to fishing blind.  It is a lot harder.  Hayden lake froze over for the first time since 20 years ago.  Never give up trying to ice fish even if the bite is slow.  Used color coded line after not using it for 4 years. 
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: straightShot on Mar 10, 2017, 08:02 PM
Finding fishable ice two weeks in a row before it warmed up...
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: Buckshots on Mar 10, 2017, 08:09 PM
Best new discovery... I'd have to say replacing my auger blades on the lazer. It's like a whole new machine. Don't wait forever to replace that first set of blades folks! If you can't remember the last time you drilled a hole without having to push a little, replace them!
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: Mrowinsky on Mar 11, 2017, 06:43 AM
IceShanty!

It's a treasure trove of information and good people!!

Mike in CT
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: esox_xtm on Mar 11, 2017, 06:50 AM
How to dance a jigging rap right on the bottom for whitefish. A lift more than 3 inches wouldn't get bit.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: oleike on Mar 11, 2017, 10:07 AM
My marcum lx 5 broke down and I had to go back to fishing blind.  It is a lot harder.  Hayden lake froze over for the first time since 20 years ago.  Never give up trying to ice fish even if the bite is slow.  Used color coded line after not using it for 4 years.


throw it in the garbage and hit up Vexilar
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: Light liner on Mar 11, 2017, 10:15 AM

throw it in the garbage and hit up Vexilar

I second the motion.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: Thearcher1340 on Mar 11, 2017, 08:19 PM
My Marcum LX7 love it
Glow cup n my glow jigs watched fish come up after the jig from 15 feet couldn't get there fast enough
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: FishinDJ on Mar 11, 2017, 09:24 PM
Milwaukee drill/Nils combo. Quick, easy, and light.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: IrishnId on Mar 12, 2017, 12:45 PM
Burbot, and Hummingbird ICE units. Love them both.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: MT204 on Mar 12, 2017, 06:41 PM
It would have to be one of the "One shot skimmer pros" not sure how I lived without one.

http://www.deepfreezefishing.com/product/one-shot-skimmer-pro-edition/
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: FishinDJ on Mar 12, 2017, 07:01 PM
It would have to be one of the "One shot skimmer pros" not sure how I lived without one.

http://www.deepfreezefishing.com/product/one-shot-skimmer-pro-edition/

They work good? I eyeballed that thing all winter...wished I just pulled the trigger on one.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: esox_xtm on Mar 12, 2017, 07:16 PM
They work good? I eyeballed that thing all winter...wished I just pulled the trigger on one.

I got one from Junior for Christmas. It worked very well, as advertised. One handed operation and a 98% clean hole with 2 - 3 dips. And really doesn't take up additional space. It works.....
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: lingcod on Mar 12, 2017, 07:31 PM
The reverse option on the Ion auger cleans the slush from an ice hole on one push of a button, and only $425. more!
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: AndyJ on Mar 13, 2017, 02:34 PM
My best discovery was last week using the new Humminbird 35.  I learned that the thin green line that indicates my small lure at 70' is the same size that shows a 12" burbot at the same depth.   Yes, I let him go.  ;D
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: Fish4days on Mar 14, 2017, 04:53 PM
Mine is easily the Finicky Fooler tip-up. After years of using tip-downs for panfish and tip-ups for game fish I discovered this device which I intend to fish all species with from now on.  Super sensitive and simple device that works with my rod and reel combos.  Been using it for weeks and it has worked flawlessly on perch, crappie and walleye. Will be ordering more for next season.  :icefish: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: perchnut on Mar 15, 2017, 10:43 AM
Not really a new discovery, but further reinforced this year.....I need to move North if I want to enjoy any kind of ice season at all.  Got out once this year.  Havent had the snowmobile out in 2 years.....ugh...
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: RuttNutt on Mar 15, 2017, 11:37 AM
Milwaukee Fuel and auger adapter!  @)

Striker Ice Predator bibs!  @)
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: Kopower on Mar 15, 2017, 11:37 AM
Like many others, pairing my auger with a cordless drill. Nils 6" hooked up to a Ridgid brushless drill just slices through the ice.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: fishonthebrain on Mar 15, 2017, 12:10 PM
Mine is easily the Finicky Fooler tip-up. After years of using tip-downs for panfish and tip-ups for game fish I discovered this device which I intend to fish all species with from now on.  Super sensitive and simple device that works with my rod and reel combos.  Been using it for weeks and it has worked flawlessly on perch, crappie and walleye. Will be ordering more for next season.  :icefish: :thumbsup:
X2 on the Finicky Fooler, love reeling those fish in. A very close second is the One Shot Skimmer, forgot it on a recent outing and skimmed holes with regular skimmer. What a difference!!!
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: 9huskies on Mar 15, 2017, 05:26 PM
Nils 6" hand auger. When my 40 year old Jiffy broke for the last time I didn't have $500 for a new Strikemaster Lithium Lazer so I bought the Nils. It drills through 2 feet of ice so easy I might not buy a new power auger. The only negative is a 6 inch hole is really small after fishing through an 8 inch hole for so long.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: Big Ice Hole on Mar 15, 2017, 06:58 PM
My new FLX28!
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: bootstrap on Mar 15, 2017, 09:02 PM
that headly is an ugly old gink
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: hunts2long on Mar 28, 2017, 03:48 PM
That I don't need all this ice fishing gear....h2l
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: slabzilla73 on Apr 01, 2017, 03:26 PM
My large friends don't float very well when they fall through, I'll always carry a rope for now on. Luckily I got my buddy out no worse for wear even though he was in for 20 mins.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: oleike on Apr 01, 2017, 05:12 PM
Best new discovery... I'd have to say replacing my auger blades on the lazer. It's like a whole new machine. Don't wait forever to replace that first set of blades folks! If you can't remember the last time you drilled a hole without having to push a little, replace them!

yes...even half dull blades will wear out your powerhead prematurely. I sharpen every third outing depending on how deep the ice.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: 52isntbigenough on Apr 04, 2017, 01:42 PM
KD-8 and the Fuel 18 made my life instantly better. Now I feel like I'm cheating on my old Jiffy.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: Kov619 on Apr 16, 2017, 06:52 AM
Was not much in Western Pennsylvania this year...so I found out this year do not be afraid to take boat on the water in February...as we did  in the bay in Erie Pennsylvania.....perch bite was hot.......2 trips  2 hrs one way well worth the trips jumbo perch......2 limits for me 2 limits for my buddy (http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t669/kov619/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-02/4ACE2531-8FAF-46EF-A937-4F5B532513AB_zpsiywwemaz.png) (http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/kov619/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2017-02/4ACE2531-8FAF-46EF-A937-4F5B532513AB_zpsiywwemaz.png.html)
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: Old Goat on Apr 27, 2017, 09:05 PM
sometimes you just get skunked 5 times in a row.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: Spider1 on Apr 28, 2017, 05:08 AM
One of my biggest discoveries this year was that La-Nina sucks about as bad as El-Nino.  >:(
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: Northern_MN Outdoorsan on Apr 28, 2017, 11:15 AM
8" K Drill, Milwaukee Fuel Drill, Milwaukee 9.0 battery. Super light. Twice as fast as the Ion X. Minimal maintenance.
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: firemedic17 on Apr 28, 2017, 05:03 PM
i need to move away from Ohio to get more ice fishing!!
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: OldSailor on Apr 28, 2017, 06:24 PM
i need to move away from Ohio to get more ice fishing!!
X2--- I need to move away from Ohio to get ANY ice fishing!!!!! >:(
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: potatoe on Apr 28, 2017, 08:25 PM
Little toothpick device to remove the hook, I want to find a few more and put them everywhere I fish.

Milwaukee drill and K-drill was a great set-up

Striker bibs are super warm but a little bulky but I can deal with it

Had a blast with my son fishing

Love this site and all the help, always get positive feedback and help
Title: Re: Your Best New Discovery From This Past Season
Post by: manitron2 on Apr 29, 2017, 04:43 PM
x2 on the Ion X. Quiet,fast, and efficient. Everything that I am not.