how many carry a spud ?

[potlicker]

Who all carries a spud and what purposes does it serve ? I hear alot of talk on them and many styles available, but dont know if I ever saw anybody with one on the ice.

[Gills-only]

Always, to check ice thickness, you must not fish in Michigan, first ice most people that have any sense have one!!

[Gills-only]

Too many guys go out to "check" ice with a auger, don't want to go 2 cranks to find out your on 1" ice, common sense!!

[Idahogator]

The most important piece of life saving equipment until the ice is proven.     

If that isn't clearly understood ~ stay off the ice.     

[ckfish]

Early ice the spud is a must. Especially a winter like this one where the weather is bi-polar.

[potlicker]

Well I have only ever fished proven ice. I like to swim but not in the winter.

[ckfish]

Well I have only ever fished proven ice. I like to swim but not in the winter.

What do you define as proven ice though? One of the lakes near me had spots where the ice was 1 inch and spots where it was 7 inches. This is why I carry a spud.

[milo44]

always have one.....it has come in handy when the auger acts up  atleast you can spud a couple of holes  rather then tinker with the auger all day

[Basspunker182]

Always bring my trusty spud bar out on the ice. Safety first ! Come to think of it, mine could use a good sharpening for this season

[potlicker]

I look for areas where people  are or were using w/o incident. And I usually dont like first ice or less then 5 to 6 inches.I know I have passed upa lot of opportunites but never took a plunge. Knock on wood. Ck do you sound with every step or every so many feet or whats the technique?

[Van_Cleaver]

Always; has saved me from going in more than once.

[JiggerDan]

I carry a spud all season. Great for chipping your tip-ups out after they freeze in.

[Gills-only]

I look for areas where people  are or were using w/o incident. And I usually dont like first ice or less then 5 to 6 inches.I know I have passed upa lot of opportunites but never took a plunge. Knock on wood. Ck do you sound with every step or every so many feet or whats the technique?

                      If you are the first one out there, check every step, after you do it a few times you can tell by the sound if its good!  Don't go on how many whacks it takes, spud thru and check with hand, I can throw my spud thru with one whack in 3" ice!!  Scares guys, but I have a method I use that has served me well , never been thru yet!!

[DR.SPECKLER]

first ice. last ice.spud..

[ckfish]

I look for areas where people  are or were using w/o incident. And I usually dont like first ice or less then 5 to 6 inches.I know I have passed upa lot of opportunites but never took a plunge. Knock on wood. Ck do you sound with every step or every so many feet or whats the technique?

It depends on what the weather has done in the week before I'm on the ice, and what the quality of ice is. A lot of times you can see what appears to be weak spots and check with the spud. I agree that if I'm the first one out, I spud every few feet until I feel comfortable.

[potlicker]

Last year was pretty easy in pa.over a 10 inches of ice before i got out and 17 inchs  when the edges got rotten and I quit goin. This is all good info though thanks to u all. I will be shoping 4 one.

[Gills-only]

first ice. last ice.spud..

            Agree, last ice little harder to "read" as it can be a foot thick and with honeycombing harder to read, comes with experience!!   To me first ice is "easier" to read by the sound, as last ice its more of a thud!

[ckfish]

Last year was pretty easy in pa.over a 10 inches of ice before i got out and 17 inchs  when the edges got rotten and I quit goin. This is all good info though thanks to u all. I will be shoping 4 one.

It sounds like you're being plenty safe without one but you can pick one up for $40 bucks and it will definitely help give you that peace of mind. This is a small price to pay for safety in my opinion.

[ditzlr79]

Spud is one of the most basic things you should carry with ya! Safer then taking you auger out. Could be the difference between a good day and a ice bath! Spend the money and grab one! Always better safe then sorry! Have fun and good luck! 

[Icenutter]

Best piece of safety equipment you can buy.  Always have mine in hand when walking on first ice.  This year especially when lake are freezing unevenly.  Example this weekend, had 4 inches of good clear ice but had open water 50 yards away.  Once that area freezes over the lay person would think the whole area has good ice.  If snow covers it then even more dangerous.   Spud as you walk and you will learn how to read early ice and it can save you from getting wet.

[subtlehustle76]

No spud here. Just the essentials.

[ship of fools]

No spud here. Just the essentials.

Many of us consider it to be absolutely essential!

[Idahogator]

The most important piece of life saving equipment until the ice is proven.     

If that isn't clearly understood ~ stay off the ice.     

I say again !     

[bullpine]

Just got one this year and went out today at first light.  Pretty good 3 to 4 inch ice near shore, then my spud punched through 2 inches of ice at about 100 feet out.  Went home as that was too little ice for me and I couldn't get out to where I wanted to go.  Did not have to swim though

[Idahogator]

Amazing strength with 2" of crystal ice.     

[poorman]

I have always carried a spud. A couple whacks before you step out on new ice or after a re-freeze will keep you from getting wet. I also use it to check occasionally as I walk along. It's easy to step from good ice to bad as you move across a lake. It's also handy in reopening old holes.

[Spider1]

it doesn't even take a super special expensive store bought spud. I used a piece of 5ft  1 1/4" steel pipe with a an angle cut on one end. Unfortunately I was walking out on some early ice last year, 4-5 inches thick. Decide it was good and stopped using the spud. After another 50 yards I noticed the ice looked different. I grabbed the spud quick and hit the ice and watched my bar disappear through the ice! It was only about an inch thick. Probably gave it's life so I could live! I will tell ya, I back peddled quickstep right over my sled and didn't stop until I was on better ice and kept going until I was back on dirt. I gotta dig up another one now that we are back on iced. A spud can save your life.

[Idahogator]

Ha, down under.     

Stop littering the bottom ~  use a wrist attachment.     

It's caveman easy.     

[Monovasia]

I do not go on the ice without one. Hypothermic death is no way to enjoy a hobby

[shanedoe]

I don't use a wrist attachment if I do fall through I don't want to be attached  to a heavy steel bar. Any thoughts?