IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => General Tips => Topic started by: arcticcatz on Jan 13, 2010, 01:09 PM
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If you had to give a beginning fishermen ONE tip about icefishing (panfish). What would it be?
Mine would be to downsize, light line, light action pole, small jig.
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Make sure you are dressed warmly, or the day might suck.
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buy a flasher
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Buy good stuff, (tip ups, warm cloths,boots,augers,)the first time,you will save in the end.and enjoy being out there.
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Take a buddy...you never know when youll learn something new..or when youll teach someone something new...not much better than a pile of fish and a big smile of a newbie!!!
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Have an open mind and fun!! John
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Join the ice shanty !!
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dress warm.....
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Don't believe everything you hear, especially here :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: Every lake and trip is unique, open your mind to options, there is no single answer/approach that solves all situations.
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Don't give up.
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Dress warm, and take plenty of food, drink and friends! Most of all HAVE FUN! :icefish:
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Dress warm, and take plenty of food, drink and friends! Most of all HAVE FUN! :icefish:
DITTO!
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Have fun and be safe.............. ;D ;D ;D
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My tip would be to stay with the crowd. you know the ice is safe and folks are around to ask questions.
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Use a spoon...but get rid of the split rings.
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there are busy days, and there are slow days. learn to love them all!
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When you can...use Fireline.
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just a little tip for the tip up fishin,I use a button to keep my bait in the same depth,or when I dont have a button on the line I use a half of a tooth pick just make a slip knot insert the pick pull it tight and now you can get your bait where you want it every time.
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dont pee into the wind ;)
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Never turn your back to the heater or fuel burning lantern, then bend down to pick something up... :o
"Buddy! Not calling you a liar, but you're pants are on fire!"
;D ;D ;D
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don't just try to spool 200' of mono on a tip up,use dacron line with a leader, i brought this guy fishing for his first time and all his tip ups were just spooled with mono,he ended up with a huge not
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make sure your flag will go up when you get a fish. twice i have seen people get spooled without the flag ever going up.
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heres another 1 for,make sure you check all your equipment before heading out.many years ago a friend of mine wanted to get into ice fishing,goes and buys himself 5 tip ups,went to the bar till closing then comes fishing,he didn't get a flag all day but still managed to land a few,HE HAD THE LINE ON WRONGE!!!well that was his first and last time on the ice,and I ended up with the tip ups.so should you take a drunk fishing or not? I say at least 1 time every one deserves a good laugh now and then
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Go often. Stay late.
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catch fish ;D
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keep moving
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Always use flurocarbon as a leader because its invisible in the water.
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I use flourocarbon lines and they are very visible in the fish tank...
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Well of course its not totally invisible that would be imposible with todays public technologie, however it is near invisible with its light refrative index being close to that of water thus making it a very smart choice for your leader material. Also it has very good strength and abrasion resistance qualities. I use flurocarbon not only for leaders but basically every real I own is totally spooled with it. ;D
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Well of course its not totally invisible that would be imposible with todays public technologie, however it is near invisible with its light refrative index being close to that of water thus making it a very smart choice for your leader material. Also it has very good strength and abrasion resistance qualities. I use flurocarbon not only for leaders but basically every real I own is totally spooled with it. ;D
With that said, here's a tip for you.. Spool with braid and use fluorocarbon as a leader. Longterm wise, more cost effective as the braid will never go bad and one spool of fluorocarbon will last you a long time.
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Oh I do spool with braid for certain applications like running bottom bouncers or trolling cranks but when it comes to more of a finesse presentation I prefer straight flurocarbon. And when its refering to ice fishing then my reels are definatly spooled with straight fluro because I have yet to find a braid that works the way I want it to in the cold temps. The braided lines always absorb a bit of water and freeze up taking on a stiffer quality that I dont particularly care for, and fluro does not absorb water and remains limper thus imparting a better action into my lures. And thats a tip for you. ;D
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locate active fish and stay on them.
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Don't try to walk where the ice use to be........ ;D
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Sharp hooks and all the above
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Always keep the cover on your auger to protect the blades, and also to prevent it from cutting things it comes in contact with!
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Step 1) Drill your hole.
Step 2) Put your line down the hole with a jig on it.
All the rest is up to you! :tipup:
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Get two ice scoops...
big one for the majority of the work
little one for cleaning up the hole
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Oh I do spool with braid for certain applications like running bottom bouncers or trolling cranks but when it comes to more of a finesse presentation I prefer straight flurocarbon. And when its refering to ice fishing then my reels are definatly spooled with straight fluro because I have yet to find a braid that works the way I want it to in the cold temps. The braided lines always absorb a bit of water and freeze up taking on a stiffer quality that I dont particularly care for, and fluro does not absorb water and remains limper thus imparting a better action into my lures. And thats a tip for you. ;D
Ah, touche! :bow:
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I would have to say seeing you said (panfish) it would have to be, get some kind of flasher. It will change your whole outlook on gill fishing. Fin
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I would have to say seeing you said (panfish) it would have to be, get some kind of flasher. It will change your whole outlook on gill fishing. Fin
Now that you mention it it does say panfish, guess I need to read more carefully. Only panfishing I do is for perch and I would highly recomend a flurocarbon line in 2 to 4 pound test. Small green lures and maggots for bait. Attention to your lures proximity to the bottom should be taken, keep it nice and close I find it to be critical and most of the time try to keep it within 1 inch of the bottom.
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when fishing for gills or crappies start just above the school with your offering,that way you will pick off the active biters first and not spook the school fighting fish :tipup:
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Fish and enjoy every trip as if it was your last. ;)
Good Topic guys! :)
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bring a buddy if you can, or just be smart about you actions ;)
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Fish and enjoy every trip as if it was your last. ;)
Good Topic guys! :)
100% Its just alot of fun to go hang out with freinds and family on the ice cathcing the odd fish, makes for a great day! ;D
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Gotta put your time In
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use creepers
bring more clothes than you think you will need to stay warm
avoid confrontation with other anglers.........say hello, offer them a beverage, make a friend
tell someone, (other than girlfriend or wife) where you are going and what time you will be back
don't offer a fish fry until after the fish are caught
turne the cell phone off and have a good time
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When you find your depth (even with a flasher), place your bobber stop between the reel and the first rod guide. I don't actually use a bobber. This way if your guides freeze your bobber stop is dry and right onto the reel with no slippage. Then you can get back to depth fast.
Don't be afraid to suck the ice out of your frozen rod guides. It's quick.
Be mobile.
Use Lakco spring bobbers with the big orange bead on the end. You can slide the bead out of the way to take your line out of the spring bobber for setting the rod in a slammer or snapper, and for transport.
Use egg sinkers or worm weights above a swivel to reduce line twist and tangles.
Buy quick change snaps used for fly fishing instead of snap swivels.
Learn the palomar knot and figure eight loop knot.
Tape your reel to the rod handle with electical tape. The reel always falls off at the worst time.
Always perform a mental checklist at home, so you have everything when you get to the ice. Be organized.
Leave the beer at home. You probably drove to the lake, and you'll probably think you can drive home.
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When fishing with your kids......never hand a child anything that doesn't float if you really want it back!
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Good one I fish with kids and found that you can use that gray pipe insulation foam on just about everything you bring out on the ice and keep it floating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also drilled a hole in the aqu vu tripod stoper and tied it to the tripod leg so I don't have to buy anymore of the a 2.99 plus s10.00 shipping and handling ;D ;D :'(
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The fishing was always better yesterday.
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go further, stay longer, fish harder
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Bring more clothes than you will need and put them in a dry bag. They do you no good, it they get wet.
Make sure your cell phone is charged before you go and tell someone where you are going and what time you will be back.
Take a kid fishing when ever you can
Most of all Have Fun
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Start at the bottom fish 1" up and then say 6" off the bottom go up to about 2 ft till you find where the fish are then start over. Don't be afraid to change hooks if they are not biting, I'v changed as many as 20 till I found the hook they want.
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Don't spend alot of time at a hole that is not producing. I try to limit it to about 3 min. a hole.
Tight Lines,
Allan
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Time. You can't learn everything at once. I've been doing this for almost 40 years and I still pick up hints every now and than.
Write down the what, where ,how and when everytime you go, and after a while you see a pattern developing. First ice the fish are biting in area A on so and so with this type of jigging. Middle of the season the fish moved and at last ice they bite somewhere else. Since you have it written down go back and match the conditons and time of the year and you will be way a head of a lot people.
The lakes that I'm fishing the fish are moving towards their spawning areas. I looked in my files from 10 years ago and the ice and lake conditon were almost the same, today I brought home 10 gills and six crappies in 2 hours, plus threw back 25 little ones. If I hadn't did a little research I may have went fishless.
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Yes, I would say to keep mobile. If they're not biting move on.
icefishingluva
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Never Plead Guilty and Never Volunteer !
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dont be afraid to go shallow! i havent fished more than 10' all winter. normally i fish the 30' holes!
EK
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Was fishing for walleyes once they were in about 6 fow mid winter.
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the worst day of fishing always beats and day at the office. That being said dont give up sometimes that extra 5 minutes of trying yields the biggest payoffs. The first and last fish are always the hardest to catch! :P
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make everything a learning experience. ask why. pay attention.
KEEP A JOURNAL. no matter how old you are. i do. every detail (its not easy when you fish 3-4 days a week) but its worth it. in 20 years when you look back at all the small details that made a day fun with your friends or family, you can day dream about some real good times your probably forgot about....not to mention developing fishing patterns!!!
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Go often, stay late.
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ALWAYS SMELL IT FIRST!
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1. Take a kid - Pass the tradition on.
2. Arrive in the dark and watch the sun rise w/ a hot cup of coffee.
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Buy a good pair of boots!!!
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Be safe! There will never be a fish that is worth going through the ice for.
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Change your Flouro tip-up leaders often. It's cheap and takes only a couple minutes. I've had too many times of watching huge fish swim away after a break off thinking "Hmm, maybe I should have put fresh leaders on"
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use one of my hand tied ice flies i orange, chartruese, or pink 6 inches above a dropper jig :P
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The fishing was always better yesterday.
What a great idea for a wood sign to hang in the shack...."The fishing was better yesterday". My advice for a first timer out for panfish, DRESS PROPERLY! That will make or break a beginner ice fishermen, especially here in MN. Once you get cold things go downhill fast, not a good experience for a first timer. Everything else will come naturally the more time you spend on the ice.
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Get GOOD waterproof boots. Bring chemical handwarmers - they are good for hands and feet. Ill stick them in my boots when my feet get cold. Bring a heater. Use a small leather patch to straighten leader material. Check the leaders for Knicks and rubs especially around the hook area. Sharpen your hooks. Check your bait often. Sometimes a fish hits you're baitfish so hard that it rips the bait off the hook without triggering the tipup flag. Check all tipups for function and problems before hitting the ice. Bring needle nose pliers for deep hooks. Bring a hook cutter for the inevitable hook in the finger/hand. Ring something warm to drink or eat. Fishfinders and flashers help with depth and jigging. No need to fish an unproductive hole. Gloves are good but mittens are better. Bring a hat. Bring polarized sunglasses and leash them around your neck. They do no good at the bottom of the lake. If something is small enough to fall down the hole - it will. Dress in layers. Use sunblock to prevent sunburn.
That's all I can think of right now.
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use one of my hand tied ice flies i orange, chartruese, or pink 6 inches above a dropper jig :P
And where do I get these??
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You can never bring too much beer.
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And where do I get these??
from my basement :) they work awesome.just tip em with 1 spike and your set to go.i put a small marabou tail off it so you only need 1
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Safety First! Be Prepared! Then buy the best equipment you can afford.
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Simple:
BE SAFE
Take a child with you
HAVE FUN!!
:icefish:
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Be Prepared. Have patience.
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Spray your feet with antiperspirant and allow to dry before you put your socks on. This small step will keep your feet from sweating, thus dryer feet.
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Always bring your ice picks with you, incase you do go through. Make sure they are on a string, and you can hang them around your neck when walking out. May save your life or someone elses. Ice cleats are a must when there is no snow cover on the ice.
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Go early, Stay late
Don't be afraid to move
Don't leave fish to find fish
Always wear your emergency picks
Over dress, you can always take a layer off
Bring more bait than you think you need
Don't make coffee with yellow snow
Pirk
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And the all time classic............... .
DON'T EAT THE YELLOW SNOW !!!!
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From the Girls "Dad remember the snacks" and " don't forget the toilet paper, bring the batteries for the DVD player"
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Spend your money wisely. One good Rod & Reel combo is better than 3 junk ones.
Nick.
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Make it an event. Good food. Good friends. Bring the kids. Be Prepared. It's all about the fun. Celebrate your life!
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Direct contact with your bait always.....And a spring bobber works. :)
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Buy quality gear the first time around don't settle for less and get others excited to fish with you.
:tipup: :)
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"Never moon a werewolf!" :unsure:
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Buy a Survival/Floater suit, if your going to fish the hard water a fair bit each year it's the cheapest life insurance you'll ever purchase!!!!!!!!
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don't get into a minnow eating contest with your buddies, unless you have plenty enough beverage to wash them down....
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Never stop yearning to learn.
Although I've been an inland lake Ohio icer for over 5 decades, I've learned more in the last 2 years than ever. I'm grateful to all those who've shared there tips, techniques & secrets.
Love it, Love it, Love it.
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For a newcomer I'd advise to go out with the expectation of having fun. Catching fish is secondary. There is a lot to learn with all of the different fishing situations.
:tipup:
NBG
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Fun first, fish second.
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Make it an event. Good food. Good friends. Bring the kids. Be Prepared. It's all about the fun. Celebrate your life!
Sometimes ice fishing isn't about the fish you catch but more about the people you go ice fishing with.
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always remember your there to have fun.
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If you had to give a beginning fishermen ONE tip about icefishing (panfish). What would it be?
Mine would be to downsize, light line, light action pole, small jig.
Mine would be just get out there and do it 'cause you won't catch squat laying around on the couch!!! ;D
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Mine would be just get out there and do it 'cause you won't catch squat laying around on the couch!!! ;D
you can if you have a couch in your shanty lmao
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Put the smoked sausage in tin foil, place on lantern top. Nothing like hot food to warm you up.
Bring your kids, but make them dress warmer than you or it will be a short trip.
Charge you batteries BEFORE you go out.
If you think you will be home at 9pm, tell your wife 10:30.
Have fun.
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Don't exceed your comfort level. If the ice is not thick enough, why risk it?
Make sure someone knows where you are going and when to expect you back.
Check you gear at least a day BEFORE you go, so you can resolve any issues then.
Focus more on what you NEED to bring and not on what you WANT to bring. (A change of clothes or a portable dvd player?)
Allow for varied techniques when possible. Sometimes jigging can trigger strikes more than just a live minnow.
Plan on having fun!
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Bring a bottle of Jameson.
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If you love Jamesons, which I do, and P am having a glass now, try Connemara peated Irish whiskey.
Worth every penny, its like Ireland in a glass.
and its a wider bottle so its more stable on the ice!
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Pay Attention!!!
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Make sure that your "Fly" is zipped up for the pic's..... ;)
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Know where you are going before you leave the house, and go there.
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If you love Jamesons, which I do, and P am having a glass now, try Connemara peated Irish whiskey.
Worth every penny, its like Ireland in a glass.
and its a wider bottle so its more stable on the ice!
Nice! Good to know. Thanks!
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most important thing to have for a good hard long day fishin on the ice would be a shanty with a warm girl inside!!! (hunny the fishing just aint the same without ya)
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if you dont catch anything, take a handfull of minnows and shake em around a bit, then when your telling those tall tales of catching that big one that slipped out of your hands and back down the hole your hands will at least smell of fish haha ;D
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Keep movin' till you find the fish
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make sure you are comfortable, it is no fun being uncomfortable
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take each day as a blessing, don't "sssume" anything and hunt & fish as much as ya can, life is too short!
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most important thing to have for a good hard long day fishin on the ice would be a shanty with a warm girl inside!!!
All women should be warm inside. If your woman is cold inside, then stay out of the morgue and get some help!!!!! :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
(Sorry I couldnt resist)
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All women should be warm inside. If your woman is cold inside, then stay out of the morgue and get some help!!!!! :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
(Sorry I couldnt resist)
AHHHHH KB -- i had to read that twice, i thought i miss read that!!! YUCK! you are twisted sir!! hahaha ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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All women should be warm inside. If your woman is cold inside, then stay out of the morgue and get some help!!!!! :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
(Sorry I couldnt resist)
well at least the women in the morgue are quiet!!!
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Another hijacked thread ~ by necrophiliacs.
:sick: :nono: :cookoo:
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Another hijacked thread ~ by necrophiliacs.
:sick: :nono: :cookoo:
well ya dont know it till ya try it :thumbsup:
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Heh, heh, heh.... and thats not a perch eye on my hook....
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haha ear lobe works in a pinch :)
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Use the search feature to eliminate your silly questions ! :whistle:
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Set an example to others...take everything that you brought with you ON the ice, back OFF the ice when you leave....no one likes to look at the trash others leave behind because they are too lazy to carry it with them when they leave. And hook up with someone who knows what they are doing to show you the ropes the first few times out.
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Oh sure, bring the thread back on subject why don't you. The nerve of some people. Just when it was getting interesting....
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Best Tip...........some days are better than others, just be persistant, and dont give up. Hard work pays off.
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had to use a old tip from grandpa today... if its really sloppy out or your boot has a nail hole in it.. double bag some walmart bags or bread bags and slip em over your socks before you put your boots on... keeps the water out!!!!
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dont worry the thread is as dead as my last date!!!
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You must be a Kennedy!!! ;D
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You must be a Kennedy!!! ;D
i plead the 5th
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For the beginner I would say this: Regardless of what people say you can go out on the ice,have fun and actually catch fish WITHOUT owning the biggest fastest newest 12" gas auger,fancy three man flip over shanty with matching leather heated seats,two buskets of "beaver dams",the latest greatest marvexibird fl-x-5-22-55 quadruple beam camera flasher combo,a six thousand dollar snowmobile for snowy days,another six thousand dollar four wheeler for icy days,a brand new trailer and an even newer 4x4 truck to pull it all with while wearing your sporty new matching five hundred dollar spacesuit. Of course if your more interested in seeing wether you can pee farther than the guy next to you than actually fishin' these are just a few of the items required!!!! All it really takes is some VERY basic equiptment,some easily gained knowledge(Ice Shanty etc..),the desire to catch fish and a love of the outdoors....See you on the ice!!!!
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Re: Your best tip
Don't bet on the horses.
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Spend more on tip ups the first time.
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Keep yer piehole clamped shut about access to your favorite pond on online forums so it doesn`t become trashed by the lurkers surfing for fish reports and access spots. Let the SCABS do thier own homework or pay the consequences.
ROTT
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Keep yer piehole clamped shut about access to your favorite pond on online forums so it doesn`t become trashed by the lurkers surfing for fish reports and access spots. Let the SCABS do thier own homework or pay the consequences.
ROTT
BINGO...we have a winner!!!!
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Can't catch fish sitting on the couch!
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Buy low, sell high. or keep fishing you will find them
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Don't buy a lot on the lake and build a cabin. It REALLY cuts into your fishing time.
Don't laugh at where your buddies fish. With enough time, they will get some fish that will make you humble.
Close can be great, so can far.
Be ready for anything.
Watch your electronics. Trust your electronics.
Look at security, forage fish, oxygen, and water temperature all the time.
Cold gets old - Stay warm.
When you start hooking them.... be respectable of the resource.
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Big fish hit small baits too. :icefish:
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Dont eat the yellow snow ;D
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Dont eat the yellow snow ;D
Haha...... Why?
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Haha...... Why?
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i dont know i was hoping you could try and tell me ;)
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Elephants eat peanuts
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STAY WARM and have fun.
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ice troll
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Keep yer piehole clamped shut about access to your favorite pond on online forums so it doesn`t become trashed by the lurkers surfing for fish reports and access spots. Let the SCABS do thier own homework or pay the consequences.
ROTT
:thumbsup: :icefish: :thumbsup:
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ice troll
were the coolest kind ;D
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dont golf in the rain your balls will get wet ;D
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dont piss in the wind ;D
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Warm stuff and for boots get Muck Boots wicked warm 100% water proof and the best. Go to a bait store or cabelas and they could help you find gear.
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use a crome bead chain with a spiner on it and a bright fly 3" under it put a few maggots on. jig it up and down then wait try diffrent depths before you move.
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Keep yer piehole clamped shut about access to your favorite pond on online forums so it doesn`t become trashed by the lurkers surfing for fish reports and access spots. Let the SCABS do thier own homework or pay the consequences.
ROTT
AMEN TO THAT BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
\\
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Did someone say dress warm ;D
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AMEN TO THAT BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
\\
+2
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Only walk/drive where others have
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If you see any trash, pick it up!!!
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+2
+3
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Drill baby, drill. If you've not marked a fish in ten minutes or caught in fifteen, move. Mobility is key around here.
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take someone fishing, preferably someone who hasn't fished before or who hasn't fished alot. have a good time outdoors, off the couch, away from the TV and with the cell phone shut off. enjoy your time together no matter if you catch fish or not. maybe, they have a son, daughter, wife who will go also on a nice day. make the outing enjoyable for all. lots of snacks, hot coco, hotdogs or sumores cooked over charcoal in a coffee can, ice skating or sledding if fishing is slow. make them want to do it again. maybe, with more fish the next time. don't be negative about anything. leave when they get bored, no matter the time of day or how long you've been out (give them at least an hour! ! ! ! ).
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take pictures = ''remember the time we'' . . . . . . . .
.
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if you plan on drilling more than one hole, clean the first one off and drop a line while you are drilling the others... I caught my second biggest trout ever by doing this, i was drilling a third hole about 50 ft away from the first and looked over to see nothing but the butt end of my pole stickin up, ran over and landed a 24 inch hog of a rainbow... be sure to stake down the jigger or tie the pole to your bucket before you walk away! ::)
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fish the complete water column,i start just under the ice and fish down
;D ;D ;D ;D
rat
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drop a deuce BEFORE you go ice fishing.
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Learn to use the graph instead of the flasher on the x-67........you will never go back. ;D
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Learn to use the graph instead of the flasher on the x-67........you will never go back. ;D
Agreed, never been dizzy from looking at the graph/chart ~ but those whirly-wheel-thingies, yikes. :sick:
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Keep your bait warm. Live squiming maggots work better than frozen stiff boogers.
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Keep your bait warm. Live squiming maggots work better than frozen stiff boogers.
and if you tell your buddy that its normal to thaw them out in his mouth he WILL get you back.... but its funny to see someone with a lip full of waxworms like a dip of chew lol
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Always fish with more than one other person. Have warm food and drinks. And a lil thing i picked up on: make a grid out of your tipups across a point or at every 10 feet of water. when fishing with two other freinds we fish a 5 by five grid everyone shud have at least 1 tipup in each row. try to take the outside holes and the deeper holes or shorter the ones in the middle never have as many fish. we went to attitash and had a good birthday we had tipups evrey 5 seconds and landed 5 pickeral over 22 inches as well as 21 perch
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You guys are very lucky you can use so many tip-ups. I can use one if I have a rod/reel setup or 2 if that is all I am using. The tip-up counts as a second rod on our second rod stamp.
My best tip: Don't eat Citrus the day of or night before fishing. If you do don't touch your bait.
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buy a flasher and know how to use it.
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drop a deuce BEFORE you go ice fishing.
:clap: :thumbsup:
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Always bring an ice chisel with you to check the ice, the one time you don't, might be your last !
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You can't catch'em on the couch! ;)
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Apparently you have a computer, and on this site you have access to literally thousands of tactics and info. Take the time to research, practice tying knots and even use your tub to see how your jigs work below the ice...all in the comfort of your home before before battling mother nature!
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Wow, some really great tips here.....but dont worry about remembering all of them, sometimes you have to learn by doing. Just stay warm, dry and hydrated, and you can sit in 'class' much longer. Ice fishing is a great sport. Learn to respect everything about it, the ice, the quarry, fellow fisherman, the environment, and soon you will be adding your own tips to the board.....
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don't pet a burning dog.
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i like to tie, with a loop knot, a small marrakoos about 10-12 inches above a light teardrop or 1 of my homemade spoons tipped with either sikes, mousies, or waxworms. i watch alot of fish on my sonar come to the bigger jig and look then raise up and eat fast!!!! but make sure the lower jig is at least a little heavier to prevent tangles on the drop down...
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Always take the opportunity to fish when you can and keep your mind open to new things.
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Always take the opportunity to fish when you can and keep your mind open to new things.
Take every opportunity to fish when you can is great advice! Keep your mind open to new things, these days there are things I just can't wrap my mind around...
With that said, Take a Kid Fishing!
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Make a list and review it before each trip. I usually check mine while having my coffee. Some of the things I might not take every trip, like my underwater camera or Pak Shak. However, you won't get to the lake and find you left your spikes and waxies in the basement.
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Make sure you have plenty of ice in your cooler, you do not want your drinks to get warm. ;D
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Make sure you have plenty of ice in your cooler, you do not want your drinks to get warm. ;D
X2!!!!!!!
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I think the best tip I have is: GET OUT THERE AND FISH.
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Find a way to be comfortable. (warm clothes, mits, seat etc.) Find out what "style" of fishing you like. (run and gun, stay and wait, or permy shanty) Then just do what you enjoy!
Nick.
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If you want to catch fish, set a specific time to be home for datenite w the wife. Never fails the action gets hot when you gotta get home! Bring a duffle bag full of extra gloves for your kids, they need a new pair every 10 mins!
And don't litter! It pisses me off, propane bottles don't biodegrade! ??? ;)
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No bannana's on the ice!!! ;)
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If you want to catch fish, set a specific time to be home for datenite w the wife. Never fails the action gets hot when you gotta get home! Bring a duffle bag full of extra gloves for your kids, they need a new pair every 10 mins!
And don't litter! It pisses me off, propane bottles don't biodegrade! ??? ;)
i think thats a great tip... i like to take my 6 year old brother out every time momma brings him up to visit... and he always asks me why people litter and i just tell him not everyone is as smart as you bud.. and i give him .25 c for every piece of trash he picks up.. but one day he decided my sunflower seed shells were litter and wanted like a 47.50 dollar pay out ;)
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LOL. Smart kid.
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I'd have to say my best tip is to check your bait every now and then. I can't tell you how many times I was just being lazy and hanging with buddies, then comes time to pack up and half of my tip ups are bait-less! Also, when it's cold it's real easy to keep your hands in your pockets, and your butt in the shanty. But if you have tip ups set, don't be lazy and chip them out every once in a while! It's not good for a trap to have to chip 2" of ice around it and you might lose that fish!
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especially check your baits just prior to 'prime time'.....
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… buy spike grubs on line by the 1,000 real cheap – and use 2# flourocarbon, on a light fast action Quality Pole, with a halfway decent spinning reel … the rest is just fishin’ !
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interesting info will kepp it in mind
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Don't know if it has been said but, Drill lots of hole and keep moving from hole to hole. Follow the fish. If the bite slows down just keep dropping your line down one of the predrilled holes to find the fish. Been doing this for acouple years and it pays off. Got lazy and didn't move around last year (shanty was to cozy) and didn't get as many fish jigging that i ussally get.
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drill, drill, drill!!!
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its possible for your presentation to be to big, but it will never be to small!!!!
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fishing tip-ups: check every 30-45 mins till the bite when it starts you need to carry the minnows everywhere! because the constant shimmy as the minnow goes up, then down gets attention, even if not hungry. but they stay around for when they do get hungery, a lil before sunset usually, i will get 3-4 fish per tip-up (5 tip-ups) all in about a hour. when the tip-up action slows thats when i get the action on the small spoons and jigs....
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Spend the money on good equipment, keep warm it sucks getting cold, take care of your equipment during and after the season.
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If your permy's not on the fish, either move it or learn to play cribbage.
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If you want to stay put, stay put but if you're out there to catch fish then always fish like you're fishing a tournament
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If you can, practice your jigging techniques in a fish tank or bucket full of water. It will show you how your jig is behaving.
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If you can get a cheap fishfinder and a power source. I use a cheap $20 (walmart special) finder and it does awsome with detecting anything swimming. And for power I use a battery pack the kind that is used for jumping dead batteries. Been using this since last year and can't figure out how i fished wiht out one before. Sometime the fish are threre and you have to change your jigging tech. That is why the fish finder in good to have.
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good boots
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Don't run on black ice with no snow cover. Even though you dont see anyone they will appear to laugh at you when you fall.
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Auger blades are sharp and should be sharp!
dull blades cause a lot of extra work, keep em sharp and clean.
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drill as many holes as you can
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make sure you kill every pike you catch when you come to Maine. @)
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best tip would be to light line 2lb
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Bring you buddies and some patience
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Be out at first light
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Keep yer piehole clamped shut about access to your favorite pond on online forums so it doesn`t become trashed by the lurkers surfing for fish reports and access spots. Let the SCABS do thier own homework or pay the consequences.
ROTT
Brought this back to the surface for the NEW guyz! MUhhahaha! ;D
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Don't just fish one spot and one lure all the time try new lures, spots, and tactics until you find a combination that works on that certain day, because every day a different combination will be the one that works the best.
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Don't forget the sun glasses @)
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Be out at first light
2X I try to get a bunch of holes punched before it get light to let things cool down.
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the morning bite starts to slow as the sun gets up over the trees, the evening starts as it goes below the horizon. and most the time it goes well into dark! so pack a big lunch and dress warm, you might be out there from 6 am till 11-12 pm!
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Have fun and always leave with the same amount of gear and people that you arrived with.
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If the bite is light and the water has clouded up, get the camera out and go to the bottom. No perch is safe when big brother is watching.
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Auger blades are sharp and should be sharp!
dull blades cause a lot of extra work, keep em sharp and clean.
Cover em up when not in use.... I've knicked my boots and my shanty cover learning the hard way.
luckily I didn't get skin or anything like that
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Bring enough beer! ;)
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Keep movin' till you find the fish
this is the best tip i have ever heard,dont listen when they say I know the fish come to this spot eventually.
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Dress warm but pack light. If you are dragging 500lbs of gear you won't move and if you don't move you won't find fish.
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A cheap way To make the end of your ice fishing rod more visible especially in low light conditions, take & wrap it between eye loops with Flagging tape & secure it with scotch tape. I have tried pink & Orange flagging tape & have found that Orange works the best for me. :thumbsup:
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Pack to stay comfortable, fish hard and have fun! :tipup:
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Take your friend that has never been fishing before. Show him how to hold a spinning reel, because the rookies hold it with the reel facing upward!
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Awesome tips for us newcommers! Thanks guys for taking the time to help us! ;D
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don't leave fish.... to find fish
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Be mobile and dont be afraid to move.
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bend your hook open so that the point is opened up and twist it a little offset
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After fishing 3 days in a row with Sat being -7
Chapstick!!
My lips are on fire today.
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Rod socks. Keeps everthing in place and keeps from getting tagled
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Don't be afraid to ask other fisherman what they are biting on.
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The best keep secret of fishing....fish where the fish are.
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Put a tarp over your popup to stop the condensation on the ceiling in the shack. DON'T EAT THE SHANTY ICE!!!!!
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don't leave fish.... to find fish
I did this the other day. I caught four large perch in two side by side holes, then things slowed down. I spent the next three hours trying to find fish, then went back to those two holes and caught four more larger perch. I probably would have had plenty in the bucket if I had stayed put.
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Use Wolfram tungsten jigs and get rid of the split shots!
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12 pages and still going strong. what a post. gotta bump with take a kid/dad/wife/someone out on the ice to share the good times and be able to say ''remember the time we . . . .''. enjoy life before you loose yours.
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don't leave fish.... to find fish
I have left fish to find fish and not found any >:(.
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Use your a small strip of your favorite tape to keep jig boxes, tackle boxes, etc, (whatever), closed. Works good on worm lids too, keeps the wind from blowing it away.
Also use small strip(s) of reflective tape placed on your most valuable gear... If you do any night fishing it can help you make sure you don't lose any gear.
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don't be afraid to use lake ice for your drinks.
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I'll go against the grain here. Find FRIENDLIER Fish. why not leave fish that aren't readily biting to find fish that are ready to give it up? No reason to watch them sniff your jig/bait but not eat it. Move around until you find some fish that are ready to go.
Be mobile. Move around and drill holes. My buddies and I will drill on average 100 holes at the very minimum in a morning/afternoon of fishing. If we go out all day, look out. The ice will look like it was mortared while we were there. No sense to leave any stretch unchecked.
I love the "fish tungsten" tip. I have just seriously gotten into Ice fishing and there is worlds of difference between tungsten jigs and lead. I hate tying on a lead jig now because they just don't have the mass a tungsten has for the same size.
Lastly, confidence is key. Not only in your ability, but in your presentation and your decision making. Try not to second guess yourself and roll with the punches.
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Don`t eat yellow snow.
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Buy a suit that floats
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With that said, here's a tip for you.. Spool with braid and use fluorocarbon as a leader. Longterm wise, more cost effective as the braid will never go bad and one spool of fluorocarbon will last you a long time.
I do this too
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This year would have to take a spud everytime out and stay topside!!
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Buy some of the rubber-dipped gloves you find in hardware stores. The knit gloves with the blue rubber type of palm and fingers.
A friend of mine introduced me to these - cost about $4 and you can throw them in the laundry or dishwasher.
These things make handling slimy, fin-barbed fish a breeze for fillleting. I use one on my left hand to handle the fish while I fillet with my right hand.
If I need to dress fish on the lake like whitefish, which I gut, behead and descale before bringing home, then it also keeps my hand a lot warmer than trying to handle a fish on the ice bare-handed.
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when your fingers get numb you need to get some warm blood in them to get em moving nimble again, the best way to do this is to do the windmill with your arms, jumping jacks, any arm swinging really that will force warm blood into the tips by centrifugal force.... been doing this for years and just saw it on bear grylls survivor man show awhile back lol i guess it isnt just a family trick after all...
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Thats really neat, never thought or heard of that before. Now I just have to wait for the time of year to try it to come. lol.
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12 pages and still going strong. what a post. gotta bump with take a kid/dad/wife/someone out on the ice to share the good times and be able to say ''remember the time we . . . .''. enjoy life before you loose yours.
X2 Well said.
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12 pages and still going strong. what a post. gotta bump with take a kid/dad/wife/someone out on the ice to share the good times and be able to say ''remember the time we . . . .''. enjoy life before you loose yours.
Actually said the remember when part with my old college roommate last weekend... took him and another one of my buds ice fishing 3 years ago
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Always keep some TP in the truck you never know. I have ripped a few sleeves off my shirts already.
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hole hop ;D dont leave fish to find fish @)
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Always keep some TP in the truck you never know. I have ripped a few sleeves off my shirts already.
X10,000 ;D :thumbsup:
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:roflmao: :roflmao:
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Always let the largest (heaviest) person go out on the new ice first!! :woot: :roflmao: ;)2 :whistle: :icefish:
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Dress warm, learn from your mistakes, have fun, stay safe, keep at it....
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Always keep some TP in the truck you never know. I have ripped a few sleeves off my shirts already.
i have one of those little packs of kleenex "pocket packs" along with a handful of fastfood napkins... saved my butt more than once
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i have one of those little packs of kleenex "pocket packs" along with a handful of fastfood napkins... saved my butt more than once
That reminds me of a buddie that always uses baby wipes. Well did you know they freeze into a solid block. :woot: He actually called me on the cell to bring him some TP.
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Yep... I know they freeze! I always felt bad for my boys when I had to change them after forgetting the diaper bag in the truck over night. I'd just peel one off the block and take care of business. They'd always make a funny face!
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Don't forget to DRINK...ALOT!!! In Wisconsin, it's the law!!!
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Safety is number one with me, and do not be afraid to ask others questions you might need an answer to. After that, have a blast and tight lines. ;)
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If your buddy takes you to a hot fishing hole, don't go back there the next day with 5 of your buddies. It's up to him to invite them.
If you do catch some nice fish and have a good thing going, don't post pictures with locations and directions all over Ice Shanty. Act like you've caught a fish before...
But most of all, don't do all of the above to the poor guy who was nice enough to invite you to his hot spot.
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If your buddy takes you to a hot fishing hole, don't go back there the next day with 5 of your buddies. It's up to him to invite them.
If you do catch some nice fish and have a good thing going, don't post pictures with locations and directions all over Ice Shanty. Act like you've caught a fish before...
But most of all, don't do all of the above to the poor guy who was nice enough to invite you to his hot spot.
VERY WELL SAID!!!!
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X10
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Don't head out on the ice and park your shack 10 feet from the rest of them!!! Do your homework, put in the work yourself and don't be afraid to break from the shanty towns!
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If you had to give a beginning fishermen ONE tip about icefishing (panfish). What would it be?
Mine would be to downsize, light line, light action pole, small jig.
And use a spring bobber!
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1. Lord loves a workin' man
2. Don't trust whitey
3. See a doctor and get rid of it.
Sorry, couldn't help myself, lol.
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1. Lord loves a workin' man
2. Don't trust whitey
3. See a doctor and get rid of it.
Sorry, couldn't help myself, lol.
LOL!
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Don't drill half a hole and leave your power auger standing in it you Will bend the shaft and spend 120$ for a new one.
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As Dave Genz says:
1. Change Depth
2. Alter Lure Action/Presentation
3. Change Sizes
4. Vary the Colors
but # 1 rule: KEEP MOVING...
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As Dave Genz says:
1. Change Depth
2. Alter Lure Action/Presentation
3. Change Sizes
4. Vary the Colors
but # 1 rule: KEEP MOVING...
SPOT ON!
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Dress warm. Bring food and drink. Don't overpack. Move move move. Buy a flasher. The biggest key is keep drilling and moving even if you are catching fish. You will never find the best spots to fish if you don't move
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Get your wife, or girlfriend into fishing. She'll be happy to spend quality time with you and you will be able to buy more gear.
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Buy a good heater either a big buddy or a sunflower heater (single for a 3 man pop up and the double burner for larger shacks). My friend had a small Coleman heater in his 3 man and we froze in there for 10 hours, meanwhile next to us in their own 3 man, another buddy and his friend had the sunflower heater and where in shirts.
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Get a flasher...move until u find fish...and take good care of your gear!!!! Nothing worse than finally hooking a toad and having your gear fail!
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G.p.s. are neat,but, get a decent compass and learn to use it. Allways know where you need to go to leave.
Don,t expect ice you came in on to be the same on your way back.
Having fun and not seeing heavy weather sneak in can drop visibility fast.
All ways have at least 2 ways to start a fire along with dry paper or laundry lint or birch bark in a sealed bag. Should you get in trouble the time to get warm is before you can,t start a fire. If you can,t get out of the weather get under it.
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get your damn hook out of my hat!
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Truck keys don't float!
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That reminds me of a buddie that always uses baby wipes. Well did you know they freeze into a solid block. :woot: He actually called me on the cell to bring him some TP.
Handwarmers work too, my father in law tried it deer hunting a couple years ago! :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
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Have fun, keep learning, introduce someone to the sport
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Warm clothes, flasher, open mind, and good company.
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This is an awesome thread for a Noob like me. Thanks all
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Have fun, keep learning, introduce someone to the sport
Take a kid or 2.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e98/jallyn968/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG00631-20130215-0947_zpsdb42f2e1.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e98/jallyn968/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG00644-20130215-1211_zpsbd171110.jpg)
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Excellent picture!
WS
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cool picture
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Don't forget the beer
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just because people are crowded around in one area doesent mean their getting them
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Great pic.
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Tight fitting boots = cold feet.
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make sure your tip ups got bait on them
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keep moving don't waste time on mud monsters , find some biters
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Good old tips and tricks thread.
If you deadstick, lanyard/leash your pole. Never know when a big fish will take it down the ice hole.
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Prevent your jig from spinning by any means necessary.
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buy any kind of sonar, no matter what kind of rod, reel, line, or jig you have; you can't catch fish if you're not on top of fish. a sonar makes the job of finding them vastly easier.
other than that: a dead rod a couple of feet from the hole you're jigging in will often catch the fish that don't commit to whatever you're jigging; if you're not catching fish, MOVE! sometimes 100 feet, sometimes 100 yards, don't stop at a spot unless you know there are fish there; lastly, bring lots of drinks and snacks. especially salty chips and gatorade/powerade, you're in a very hash environment and it is exhausting. lots of electrolytes will help keep your energy level up, and will help you stay hydrated-if you stay hydrated and energized, you'll stay warmer longer, staying warmer means you're more comfortable and less prone to frustration, which means you'll catch more fish.
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When you're changing your blades on a power auger add a drop of the removable (blue) Lock-Tight to the bolt threads for extra protection from them coming loose from the vibration of running. I had them come loose once even thought I tightened them down, that won't happen again. Also check all your bolts and nuts especially where the bit attaches to the auger shaft, that bolt will also work it's way loose over time.
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Don't set up camp if you don't mark fish, bring toilet paper and last but not least just enjoy your time on the ice in the great outdoors.
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Always very important to check you Bolt and Nuts! Also, if you have a bigger / heavier partner, let them walk first! Good tip right there! Seriously, always carry a rope and ice picks too!
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Rubber mallet. Sometimes you need to hammer the ice off of your auger flighting, or other stuff. Like bottom of propane tank, the frozen ice on your shelter skirt, or that black ice on the wheel well of your vehicle.
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Dress for the cold and layer. Also warm boots.
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Have several rods rigged and ready when you begin fishing. That way your depth is set and you can quickly give the fish a different look should they not take your first offering. You will put more fish on the ice no doubt.
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Dont set up alot of tipups far from you when its snowing because they will get covered in snow and you wont find them. Happened to me last year it started snowing hard and i didnt realize how fast they were covered in snow. I was lucky to find 4 out of 5.
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buy any kind of sonar, no matter what kind of rod, reel, line, or jig you have; you can't catch fish if you're not on top of fish. a sonar makes the job of finding them vastly easier.
X2
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new season, new best tip!
avoid the "magic lure" mindset. this isn't to say you shouldn't have favorite lures, just that you shouldn't think that one lure alone will catch fish.
personally, i love fishing the Northland Mud Bug jigs. but i can't be so confident in the Mud Bug that i can't tell myself: "you know, you'd catch more/bigger fish if you switched to this other lure instead"
don't be afraid to switch things up! just because you're catching fish doesn't mean that you're using the most effective technique, and just because the same technique worked this time last year or this time yesterday does not mean that it'll work today.
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Get your family buddies kids coworkers into ice fishing that way you can make more enjoyable memories with them the bonus is the get to help set up drag your gear clean and eat lots fillets
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When fishing with kids always set depth with a slip bobber (wave buster float made for ice fishing) or similar, lure will always be at correct depth, and they have a visual as well. I use wave busters ice fishing as well, work well for the light biters
Buy your kids descent gear to start with, still reasonably priced but much more dependable than the plastic cartoon rod and reel sets
I rarely ice fish a lake that I have not previously fished in the summer. I have numerous spots marked on my GPS for the lake when I go on the ice. Very handy especially for mid lake structure.
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new season, new best tip!
avoid the "magic lure" mindset. this isn't to say you shouldn't have favorite lures, just that you shouldn't think that one lure alone will catch fish.
personally, i love fishing the Northland Mud Bug jigs. but i can't be so confident in the Mud Bug that i can't tell myself: "you know, you'd catch more/bigger fish if you switched to this other lure instead"
don't be afraid to switch things up! just because you're catching fish doesn't mean that you're using the most effective technique, and just because the same technique worked this time last year or this time yesterday does not mean that it'll work today.
Love that lure, its my go to. Usually I use that to help catch some fish, so I don't get skunked. Then start to switch it up.
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No matter if it's sunny or not wear sun glasses so the glare off the ice doesn't burn your eyes.
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If you're hand line fishing, use caution around fireline can leave some nasty cuts
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Wind can make a nasty day,..If its windy or the forecast is the same,...stay home, (but hey,..that's me)
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Shameless bump...
Never need to buy the latest hyped lure on the first year...if it was that great, it'll be around next year as well.
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Probably the single best thing (next to using GPS) I have done when ice fishing is for the past 10 years or so I have been using ice buster floats on all my lines. They work similar to a normal slip bobber expect the line slide is under the water preventing the line from freezing to the float. Hook percentage has went way up since using these, no more knee jerk hook-sets. I mostly fish out of a shack now which has rod holders, but if I am fishing on the open ice and have to leave the rod for a few minutes I just stick the rod butt in the snow and open the bail, preventing the rod from going down the hole.
Watching the flasher and float I have a pretty good idea what is going on down there, and can adjust the timing of hook set accordingly. They work great for kids as once you set the correct depth the presentation returns to that depth every time you lower the lure. Works good for teaching kids what to look for when determining when it is right to set the hook.
I also do not jerk my rod to set the hook, slowly reel rod tip down to the ice then just a gentle lift keeping tension on when you feel the weight. This technique does not rip the hook out of their mouth, and also if they miss the hook it stays in the strike zone allowing a second hit sometimes.
I try and have them weighted so only about an 1" or so of the float sticks out of the water and the pencil shape design offers very little to no resistance when the fish pulls down on the lure/float.
If the bite is really light you can adjust the floats so they lay flat on the water and then stand up when the fish is taking the lure, this works great when the bite is really slow.++
(https://i.imgur.com/HpND4ug.jpg?2)
(https://i.imgur.com/TeI0IqD.jpg?2)
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use a car floor mat to keep your feet off the ice
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I got two door mats at Home Depot at $3 each. They are thinner and grip the ice, used them last Tuesday in 1/4 inch of water in the hut and they worked quite well. They dried out in the bed of the truck on the way home and I brought them in the kitchen to finish the drying out. 5 of 5 stars.
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keep moving don't waste time on mud monsters , find some biters
IMO, moving is much more important for some species than others. e.g. walleye hang around structure so you must go find them. OTOH, lake trout, for e.g, are prowlers and hunters that move around searching out prey. Staying put in a general area/depth that you know they sometimes frequent can be just as productive as moving. My bud and I were out a few days ago hunkered down in a pop-up because of temp and wind. Fish would periodically swim by, allowing us to have quite a few hits and catch about 5-6. We usually fish out in the open and often move around a bit but we did just as well as we normally do the last time by sitting and waiting.
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Don't go fishing to catch fish, go fishin ti fish. Think of the fish as a bonus.
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Don't go fishing to catch fish, go fishin to fish. Think of the fish as a bonus.
Exactly !!
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Take someone new fishing. You never know, if they fall I love with ice fishing they might spend more time and money on it than you do and can take you to all of their good spots next year with all their gear....
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buy any kind of sonar, no matter what kind of rod, reel, line, or jig you have; you can't catch fish if you're not on top of fish. a sonar makes the job of finding them vastly easier.
I've got a shirt that says "The secret to fishing is to fish where the fish are". Couldn't be more true!
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Use a spoon...but get rid of the split rings.
why?
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I use small egg sinkers with bobber stops---easier than crimping on split shot, no damage to thhe line.
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Well, im very new and went last week. Still dont have a flasher and it sucked. Didnt know where the fish were, or how hot my hole was. I got lucky and found a good spot, but it would have been nice to see what the fish were doing so i knew if I had to re bait or not. Would have prevented wasted time fishing 10ft above fish, fishing without baited hook, or reeling up for no reason. Buy a flasher.
Also, pee before you go on ice.
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Keep your anger blades sharp and in good condition.
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Research your target species well, research your lake(water), be in the right place at the right time using the right presentations. If all that fails, rinse and repeat! Never quit
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Get to know God, he made the fish and the water your fishing. Give him thanks for it. Even if you have a limit of fish or not a single one all day there is always something to be thankful for.
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If you use mono use the hi vis kind. Mine is yellow
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I am sure this has been said but my #1 TIP is stay on top of the ice as much as possible!
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dont fish with the gink
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why?
from a long time ago.
Removing the split rings on spoons...On the top portion of the spoon. While your line tie is offset towards on side, a small upward lift will impart a consistent control to the spoon. Try is in a fish tank or bucket of water to see how that produces.
On the bottom portion of the spoon. Meaning to effect a dropper hook. Tying line to split rings sometimes that knot will slide into the sharp ends of that wire cut. In effect it will wear your knot out faster making it the weakest link.
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sometimes the best fishing is that last hour of light, and the first hour of dark....put away all un essential gear, so you are basically ready to go, except for the poles and stuff you are actually using. That is a whole lot easier than trying to find everything and just jamming it away in the dark...always a recipe for lost or broken items.....
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I put a thin piece of foam insulation in the bottom of my sled. Put a thin floor mat on top of it. Slight weight gain to the equipment, but a huge improvement to the heat retention in the shanty.
Dave
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Be cautious if you decide to delegate who is the bait guy. Nothing worse than the bait guy being late or not showing up at all...
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Remember to change the line out on your reels before the season starts. Nothing worse than having a break off due to rotten line fighting that “once in a lifetime” monster! Check the guides on the rod as well.
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just because people are crowded around in one area doesent mean their getting them
But it can also mean that is where the fish are sometimes. I have been reluctant to fish the crowd due to your comment only to find out I probably should have been fishing where the crowd was and not been so stubborn.
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Well, above all tips above, fish where fish fish for fish! 'nuff said:-)
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Go light...don't take what you think you might want, only take what you know that you'll need. Hauling out and setting up never seems as bad as packing up and heading in...especially in the cold...and the dark...and the wet...and the...Well, you get the picture. ;)
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If you lost your forceps, pliers, or hook removal pick...you always have one, your rod.
Of course those wimpy noodle tip rods aren't going to work...so save that chop stick when next time you eat chinese food.
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Collecting fishing hardware from...who knows anywhere from discarded...
dress shirts, save those buttons.
children's bracelet or necklace, save those beads.
old jigs with rusted hooks, save those jig heads as drop shot weights.
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It's been so long, no new tips have been concocted. ;D
Maybe...Shut Up and Keep Quiet!
That's a secret. ;)
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Always carry extra little box for the, "active tackle" box. Lures that you use and get wet. So don't put that wet lure back in with the other ones. Helps to keep other things rust free from moisture.
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:tipup: Carry a fine stone for honing you hook points. Much easier than retying on a new hook in the cold with frozen hands.
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When the catching is slow or nonexistent, try to cook/eat or something else you enjoy. You will be likely to miss a fish and if you're lucky enough, they may even be willing to interrupt everything you have started.
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Always, always have a spare change of all clothing for everyone left in your truck. And bring at least 2 pairs of gloves on the ice. Cold + kids = short trip.
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I rigged up a couple of elastic cargo nets that I use to cover everything in my sled once I’m done fishing. No more lost gear getting off the pond in bad weather, or in the dark!
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If you fish outside and want to use braid, bring a small thermos of hot water to dip your top guide(s) in
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If you do not have a tent/shack save your money and buy at least a tent. Fishing and staying warm adds comfort to your fishing and adds hours of fishing time especially if you are taking kids fishing.
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Have as many lines in the water as your state allows. Gotta be one of the best feelings when you have 3+ rods firing at once!
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One of the best tips I can give is to learn how to use a slip bobber. I have the venom and ice buster styles with the line slide under water so it does not freeze. They are particularly handy when teaching kids to fish as you can set the depth for them and every cast the lure will be at the right depth.........or when ice fishing every drop will be at the right depth. The visual of slip bobbing adds a whole new excitement to fishing and they work great when you want to work a weed edge or part of reef when the wind is blowing the right direction. Also works great when calm, you can cast to a weed edge/drop off and the lure stays right where you want it controlled depth at its finest. In winter I have seen people jigging with no float and are constantly missing bites because the fish has not inhaled the lure enough................ .I have watched this on the underwater camera watch and sometimes in winter a walleye and other fish many have to (bite/inhale) a lure two or three times before it is in enough to set the hook.
(https://i.postimg.cc/GBG1RYKb/INSIDE-SHACK.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBG1RYKb)
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I have used slip bobbers for a while now. Using them was a tip I got from an acquaintance.
The small lakers that we catch are picky eaters so it's smart to watch the bobber sink, not just wiggle and bob. I much prefer the clip on type. During this long wait for ice I have made some of my own that are easier to clip on and off than the foam type.
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I started with those foam clip-on bobber, and keep a good stock in my tackle box. I also added some spring bobbers to my rods this year. The dancing of the foam bobber can tell you if a predator is making your minnow go into 'evade' mode, the spring bobber gives away the slightest nibbles much more easily.
If I'm trying to hang to a specific regular depth, especially if I'm dead sticking, the float bobber all the way. Easy to see from a distance, entertaining to watch. If I'm targeting specific marks on the flasher, I like the spring bobber. Great when actively jigging, helps tell hits even on the fall, and helps compensate for the lack of sensitivity in cheaper rods.