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New Hampshire => Ice Fishing New Hampshire => Topic started by: samuraijohn_ on Jan 11, 2019, 08:08 AM

Title: Beginner questions
Post by: samuraijohn_ on Jan 11, 2019, 08:08 AM
Hi everyone! 
 
I am new to ice fishing and have a couple questions. 
 
1. If I go to a location listed here, https://wildlife.state.nh.us/fishing/ice-fishing.html   do I have to pay to fish their or can I just walk out, dig my hole, and fish? 
 
2. Does anyone know any good locations right now that are frozen over? 
 
3. Would it be enough to dig a hole in the ice with a hand axe? 
 
Thanks!
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: mowbizz on Jan 11, 2019, 08:14 AM
1. Buy a FISHING LICENSE!
2. go to a frozen lake where you see others already fishing.
3. Buy an ice chisel. (an axe will not work unless you want to cut open a man sized hole.)
4. Buy bait. Shiners will do. Available at same place you buy license and chisel.
5. Lower bait into ice hole and wait.
Have fun!
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: bassin212 on Jan 11, 2019, 08:21 AM
I would start doing some research. A couple simple youtube.com videos should give you a visual idea of how things work.
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: meatandmetal on Jan 11, 2019, 08:31 AM
1. Buy a FISHING LICENSE!
2. go to a frozen lake where you see others already fishing.
3. Buy an ice chisel. (an axe will not work unless you want to cut open a man sized hole.)
4. Buy bait. Shiners will do. Available at same place you buy license and chisel.
5. Lower bait into ice hole and wait.
Have fun!

What do you lower the bait with?  ???
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: Running for flags on Jan 11, 2019, 08:37 AM
What do you lower the bait with?  ???
😂😂
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: RyanW on Jan 11, 2019, 08:54 AM
First, welcome! :tipup:

https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=351971.0
A little advice for new guys that I said in response to another new guy.

In ice fishing, we don’t “dig” holes. We drill them with an ice auger (just call them augers) or chisel them out with a spud bar. A spud bar is necessary to properly inspect safe ice conditions. 1 inch of ice can look the same as 20 inches on the surface.

You would lower the bait into the water attached to a hook that is attached to line that is attached to a rod and reel or a tip-up. Get an auger. An affordable 6 inch from Eskimo would last you years and won’t break the bank. Get a spud bar. In ice less then 6 inches a spud bar would be all you need to make a hole. Make sure you have clothing appropriate to keep you warm outside in cold weather.

Stick around, learn a thing or two, and you’ll be reeling in monsters in no time.
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: mowbizz on Jan 11, 2019, 09:46 AM
What do you lower the bait with?  ???

Missed that one! ;D
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: mowbizz on Jan 11, 2019, 09:53 AM
First, welcome! :tipup:

https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=351971.0
A little advice for new guys that I said in response to another new guy.

 Get a spud bar. In ice less then 6 inches a spud bar would be all you need to make a hole. Make sure you have clothing appropriate to keep you warm outside in cold weather.

Stick around, learn a thing or two, and you’ll be reeling in monsters in no time.

In the days before augers all we had were chisels or "spud bar" as some call them. We "cut" (not drilled) many a hole through 36" of ice (and more) on Winnipesaukee in those days...you were down to your long johns by the time you finished a hole it was such hard work. Nowadays, ice fishermen are spoiled (INCLUDING ME!) with all kinds of modern equipment. The thing is...fish don't care about any of it except chasing your bait (lowered into the hole on some kind of fishing line, trap or rod and reel)  ;D
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: meatandmetal on Jan 11, 2019, 01:54 PM
In the days before augers all we had were chisels or "spud bar" as some call them. We "cut" (not drilled) many a hole through 36" of ice (and more) on Winnipesaukee in those days...you were down to your long johns by the time you finished a hole it was such hard work. Nowadays, ice fishermen are spoiled (INCLUDING ME!) with all kinds of modern equipment. The thing is...fish don't care about any of it except chasing your bait (lowered into the hole on some kind of fishing line, trap or rod and reel)  ;D

Thanks Mo I thought I was wasting my money on line and hooks.
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: mowbizz on Jan 11, 2019, 02:00 PM
 
Thanks Mo I thought I was wasting my money on line and hooks.

 ;D
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: Capt. Black on Jan 11, 2019, 03:22 PM
What do you lower the bait with?  ???

Just throw it in the hole. It will sink all by itself. Don’t use a hook and you don’t have to worry about cleaning your catch at the end of the day. You already know that Denny, come on!😜😎
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: fishingidjit on Jan 11, 2019, 03:52 PM
I think the new guy was a troll ! :)
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: AQUAASSASSIN on Jan 11, 2019, 03:59 PM
Gotta be, no samurai worth a damn is using a Axe to dig
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: mowbizz on Jan 11, 2019, 04:31 PM
I think the new guy was a troll ! :)

No doubt...I figured I’d play because no one else was...
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: meatandmetal on Jan 11, 2019, 05:06 PM
Gotta be, no samurai worth a damn is using a Axe to dig

Nooh you use your sword. Unguuh!


(https://i.postimg.cc/Y4YzTQJr/images-3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Y4YzTQJr)
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: meatandmetal on Jan 11, 2019, 05:08 PM
Just throw it in the hole. It will sink all by itself. Don’t use a hook and you don’t have to worry about cleaning your catch at the end of the day. You already know that Denny, come on!😜😎

Aye Captain more time for doing the things that really matter.  >:D
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: AQUAASSASSIN on Jan 11, 2019, 05:18 PM
Nooh you use your sword. Unguuh!


(https://i.postimg.cc/Y4YzTQJr/images-3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Y4YzTQJr)

 :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

Live by the sword, DIG by the sword
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: whitewing on Jan 11, 2019, 06:48 PM
A true samurai would be one with the ice. He would have an opening  form in any way that was needed.
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: 459475 on Jan 11, 2019, 06:50 PM
dig a hole. funny
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: AQUAASSASSIN on Jan 11, 2019, 06:51 PM
A true samurai would be one with the ice. He would have an opening  form in any way that was needed.

 ;D
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: Arctic Addict on Jan 11, 2019, 07:04 PM
Oh boy, I really love this forum.
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: RyanW on Jan 12, 2019, 01:25 AM
I think the new guy was a troll ! :)

Lol, maybe. We all started somewhere and with these up and coming yourubers out there (I’ve seen some big ones say axes are good for marking holes), there’s a lot of bad information on ice fishing out there. I gave the OP the benefit of the doubt because I’d hate to be on the ice and see this guy come out completely clueless. And, if he was serious I didn’t want to undermine him. You know, a guy just trying to learn and everyone is making jokes (I admit I held back). It can really put a damper in the learning process.

I guess we may never know........lol
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: RyanW on Jan 12, 2019, 01:35 AM
In the days before augers all we had were chisels or "spud bar" as some call them. We "cut" (not drilled) many a hole through 36" of ice (and more) on Winnipesaukee in those days...you were down to your long johns by the time you finished a hole it was such hard work. Nowadays, ice fishermen are spoiled (INCLUDING ME!) with all kinds of modern equipment. The thing is...fish don't care about any of it except chasing your bait (lowered into the hole on some kind of fishing line, trap or rod and reel)  ;D

I completely understand how spoiled ice anglers are now a days and it’s fantastic. Those guys, you, are some tough dudes to go through all of that. I would never do it as I’m sure most guys today wouldn’t lol. I’m not sure if I’ve ever even been on 36” of ice (central Michigan). I also completely ageee that the fish couldn’t care less about what gear you’re using. Those are just perks for the angler. And I love every one of them. My Milwaukee/Lazer setup is one of the best things I’ve bought for ice fishing along with using sonar. I grew up camping on a hole or two all day and hand lining schooley rods. Used a 6” mora. I honestly couldn’t imagine having to use anything less.  :tipup:
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: jibbs on Jan 12, 2019, 04:01 AM
Ask a guy on here to take you..it’s the easiest way to start..I took a guy over vacation who wanted to take a class but this was more hands on ...by the end of the day the training wheels were off and the traps wrapped backwards..lol..only a few..he did win the lunker pool..I can’t imagine cutting holes with an axe..I’m sure it could be done
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: Brownbagger247 on Jan 12, 2019, 04:41 AM
haha I'm dying
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: mowbizz on Jan 12, 2019, 06:35 AM
I completely understand how spoiled ice anglers are now a days and it’s fantastic. Those guys, you, are some tough dudes to go through all of that. I would never do it as I’m sure most guys today wouldn’t lol. I’m not sure if I’ve ever even been on 36” of ice (central Michigan). I also completely ageee that the fish couldn’t care less about what gear you’re using. Those are just perks for the angler. And I love every one of them. My Milwaukee/Lazer setup is one of the best things I’ve bought for ice fishing along with using sonar. I grew up camping on a hole or two all day and hand lining schooley rods. Used a 6” mora. I honestly couldn’t imagine having to use anything less.  :tipup:

And I love my Ion with 6” and 8” bits...and to  be without our Marcum cams would be terrible!  ;D
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: Guinea on Jan 12, 2019, 09:11 AM
In the days before augers all we had were chisels or "spud bar" as some call them. We "cut" (not drilled) many a hole through 36" of ice (and more) on Winnipesaukee in those days...you were down to your long johns by the time you finished a hole it was such hard work. Nowadays, ice fishermen are spoiled (INCLUDING ME!) with all kinds of modern equipment. The thing is...fish don't care about any of it except chasing your bait (lowered into the hole on some kind of fishing line, trap or rod and reel)  ;D

Mow, when I started reading that, I was waiting for the "uphill, both ways, barefoot" part.  :roflmao: ;)2
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: mowbizz on Jan 12, 2019, 09:18 AM
Mow, when I started reading that, I was waiting for the "uphill, both ways, barefoot" part.  :roflmao: ;)2

LOLOL! Not quite THAT bad Guinea but we did trudge a good ways out from Wolfeboro unless the vehicles were used to get to Little Barndoor!
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: Coffin Dodger on Jan 12, 2019, 03:14 PM
Mow, when I started reading that, I was waiting for the "uphill, both ways, barefoot" part.  :roflmao: ;)2
That was me, Steph!  ;)
Seriously, when young, had to walk down a big hill from the farm (home) and back up the hill to school. Could not walk across, cuz our old man would beat us for climbing  over (ruining) his fences.
Now that I'm reminiscing and speaking of spuds,.....at 8 or 10 years old, (no ice fisherman in the family) nailed an apple crate to an old radio flyer sled, with my skimmer, tin bait bucket, 2 tip ups and lunch bag, walked two + miles down the tracks and some more on a river that "looked like a good spot"  ;) .
Proceeded to chip out a hole in 24 +" of ice. Yep, stripped off a lot of clothes in the process. I knew why that rope was at the top of the chisel but it was chafing my wrist with every thump. Well, you all know what happened, I hit the bottom of the ice and my chisel hit the bottom of the river.

It was a long walk home!
       (The end) 
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: AQUAASSASSIN on Jan 12, 2019, 03:16 PM
Can’t say you didn’t try Richard!
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: Coffin Dodger on Jan 12, 2019, 03:35 PM
Can’t say you didn’t try Richard!
Thanks, Frank.
I would have loved to have had a "stud sportsmen" for a father.
Back then, going to the Isinglass river with a friend and his father once a season was almost like a Lake O trip, today.   ;D
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: AQUAASSASSIN on Jan 12, 2019, 03:41 PM
Haha! See, you’re a better person because of it!
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: Coffin Dodger on Jan 12, 2019, 03:53 PM
Haha! See, you’re a better person because of it!
Hope so. My father lettered in 3 sports in college, BTW.
He was just too busy working while we were growing up. He did teach us how to work.  ;)
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: AQUAASSASSIN on Jan 12, 2019, 05:17 PM
Yep!
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: meatandmetal on Jan 12, 2019, 05:21 PM
That was me, Steph!  ;)
Seriously, when young, had to walk down a big hill from the farm (home) and back up the hill to school. Could not walk across, cuz our old man would beat us for climbing  over (ruining) his fences.
Now that I'm reminiscing and speaking of spuds,.....at 8 or 10 years old, (no ice fisherman in the family) nailed an apple crate to an old radio flyer sled, with my skimmer, tin bait bucket, 2 tip ups and lunch bag, walked two + miles down the tracks and some more on a river that "looked like a good spot"  ;) .
Proceeded to chip out a hole in 24 +" of ice. Yep, stripped off a lot of clothes in the process. I knew why that rope was at the top of the chisel but it was chafing my wrist with every thump. Well, you all know what happened, I hit the bottom of the ice and my chisel hit the bottom of the river.

It was a long walk home!


       (The end)
(https://i.postimg.cc/8J5jwpmd/download.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8J5jwpmd)
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: Coffin Dodger on Jan 12, 2019, 07:34 PM
You're still "the man", Denny.  ;)
Wish I could figure out how to get my "logo" back on since it was removed by who????  :-\
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: meatandmetal on Jan 13, 2019, 05:59 AM
You're still "the man", Denny.  ;)
Wish I could figure out how to get my "logo" back on since it was removed by who????  :-\

Don't feel bad I can't figure out how to get anything on my profile.
Title: Re: Beginner questions
Post by: Guinea on Jan 13, 2019, 08:46 AM
I've heard stories similar to yours about fishing in general. A friend of mine takes his father fishing, now that he taught his dad to fish!

I didn't know anything about fishing until I was in my mid 30's. (So yeah, I've only been fishing for about 2 years. Hahaha). Seriously, it took somebody to show me. It never occurred to me to just try it.