What's your question???

[Idahogator]

What do you do when you step in a ice hole and you cant get your boot back out?

Light the fuse, drop it down the hole and run ! 

Wait.  This is not my office.   I'm outta here.>>>>>

[esox_xtm]

What do you do when you step in a ice hole and you cant get your boot back out?

Buy bigger boots. Or use a smaller auger. Your choice. Next question.

[Whopper Stopper]

Sir
Grandpa always caught fish. He would spit snoose on his worms and minnows.

Should I start chewing Copenhagen?

[esox_xtm]

Sir
Grandpa always caught fish. He would spit snoose on his worms and minnows.

Should I start chewing Copenhagen?

That's a personal choice but I can't recommend it.

Nearly as disgusting were the horehound drops my GrandDad carried in the pocket of his mackinaw at deer camp. He'd rummage in the pocket, dig one out, brush some of the lint and dirt off and offer it to me. Yum!  Next question.

[E Z turn]

After being married for over 50 years is it true that the only time I am right is when I admit I'm wrong ?

[IFF]

After being married for over 50 years is it true that the only time I am right is when I admit I'm wrong ?

Depends on if you want to eat crow with or without feathers.....Next Question

[IAHooker]

Esox, this is Great!  I have lots of questions, but I think most of us are a talk to a person type. Would you post your Ice Fishing Hotline Number for call ins? Its a shame only your friends and family get to enjoy the hotline! But till you post your number for hundreds to call you I'll just ask here on your hotline board. Since you seem to be quick and full of IT, whats your go to loo when nature calls in the middle of the frozen tundra? Thanks, from a a IS long time LURKER and short time hotline fan.

[ActiveTrapChecker]

When fishing in the summer it's called "open water" fishing. Why isn't ice fishing called "closed water" fishing?

[cwavs1982]

What should I do if I rig my minnow on backwards?

[Figure ate]

Why do chickens have breasts, but not nipples?

[Big Ice Hole]

If I flush a toilet south of the equator will the water go down counter clockwise?

[esox_xtm]

After being married for over 50 years is it true that the only time I am right is when I admit I'm wrong ?

C'mon man. Nobody's really wrong that often. Admit that. Next question.

[esox_xtm]

Esox, this is Great!  I have lots of questions, but I think most of us are a talk to a person type. Would you post your Ice Fishing Hotline Number for call ins? Its a shame only your friends and family get to enjoy the hotline! But till you post your number for hundreds to call you I'll just ask here on your hotline board. Since you seem to be quick and full of IT, whats your go to loo when nature calls in the middle of the frozen tundra? Thanks, from a a IS long time LURKER and short time hotline fan.

Thanks Hooker. I don't believe I've ever said that. To your question: They have real restrooms at Lambeau Field. Next question.

[esox_xtm]

When fishing in the summer it's called "open water" fishing. Why isn't ice fishing called "closed water" fishing?

Because fishing really isn't closed and some folks might get the wrong idea. No one's calling the summer version "soft water" either. Next question.

[esox_xtm]

What should I do if I rig my minnow on backwards?

Nothing. I do that myself to change things up sometimes and I catch fish. Next question.

[esox_xtm]

Why do chickens have breasts, but not nipples?

Life is loaded with things that don't make sense. Nippleless chickens are one of those. To expound: If the plural of goose is geese why isn't the plural of moose meese? Or why if there is more than one mouse it's mice but but many grouse are not grice? Ice Fishing Hotline is another. I say go figure or go fish.

Next question.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Major question!

With all the places around Upper Red Lake in northern Minnesota, why is it that Hillman's never has Shiners on hand for bait.......My buddies and I have been going up for over ten years now, and make the yearly call to Hillman's to see if the have Shinners minnows...........his response is always no.......once told a lie to us that he never seen or heard of a walleye eating a shiner minnow........we laughed for hours because shiners were the hottest bait the year before catching walleye.

So oh great and knowledgable esox_xtm why does hillman's not carry shiner minnows?

If anyone wants to call and find out the number is (218) 647-8398.........ask if they have shiner minnows.

[esox_xtm]

If I flush a toilet south of the equator will the water go down counter clockwise?

Are you right handed or left handed? Really doesn't matter. If you're standing around watching water go down a toilet bowl you're got more problems than Ice Fishing Hotline can solve. Next question.

[esox_xtm]

Major question!

With all the places around Upper Red Lake in northern Minnesota, why is it that Hillman's never has Shiners on hand for bait.......My buddies and I have been going up for over ten years now, and make the yearly call to Hillman's to see if the have Shinners minnows...........his response is always no.......once told a lie to us that he never seen or heard of a walleye eating a shiner minnow........we laughed for hours because shiners were the hottest bait the year before catching walleye.

So oh great and knowledgable esox_xtm why does hillman's not carry shiner minnows?

If anyone wants to call and find out the number is (218) 647-8398.........ask if they have shiner minnows.

You're baking up the wrong tree here. Have ya asked Hillmans why? If you haven't, why not go to the horses' mouth instead of here, to the other end. And if Hillman's doesn't know how the H E double hockey sticks should I?

Sheesh. Some people's kids. Next question.

[esox_xtm]

I read up, chickens only have one breast, and only one nipple is offered as an option. No one opts for the first nipple. The three nipple is an option on turkeys sometimes.

@ WYIFish: Better keep reading and you're getting too deep. Real answer: All mammary glands are breasts, all breasts are not mammary glands. Chickens are birds, not mammals. Mammary glands are unique to.... OK TMI. Get the idea here? Your interview is over. Bud is hired. Next question.

While I think of it, I want one of whatever you're drinking... First round's on me.

[mdrobny]

does a one legged duck swim in circles?

[spoofhoundicefisher]

if 7 eleven is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year then why have locks on the doors?

[esox_xtm]

does a one legged duck swim in circles?

Yes. In the Northern Hemisphere they swim clockwise, below the equator counter-clockwise. Next question.

[esox_xtm]

if 7 eleven is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year then why have locks on the doors?

They not only forgot they don't need locks but didn't change the name to "24 Seven 365" either. Next question.

[Sandcountrylivin]

I.f.h. My fishing partner(6yr old nephew) has a 10 second attention span. If we are not on fish he is bouncing off the walls of my shantie. How do I tame the beast that is my fishing partner.

[esox_xtm]

I.f.h. My fishing partner(6yr old nephew) has a 10 second attention span. If we are not on fish he is bouncing off the walls of my shantie. How do I tame the beast that is my fishing partner.

Great question and thanks for calling. Kids are an investment in the future and the younger you start 'em the more you can mold 'em. When my baby was 6 food was always good. Especially some grilled brats or burgers. I know you want to fish but take some time off and play some football or throw snow balls or make a snowman or see how far you can slide on your bellies on the ice. Find some simple "jobs" for them to help with then they feel like part of the team. They might not do it right but that's how they learn.

Don't look at it as your fishing as much as it is your responsibility as a parent/mentor. If you do it right your investment will come back 100x. I know I did something right. Today my "baby" is 34 and is on one of the Apostle Islands on a camping bowhunt before the gun season opens. I'll be meeting him in the morning. 

OK, enough serious talk. Next question.

[tbern]

Good answer,   

[IFF]

Good answer,   

I liked that one too.  I don't think Mark read my resume over very well.  and not only that, I am becoming suspicious that Mark is Judge Judy in disguise.  Never mind I am in Colorado..........what was the question ?   Oh yeah, Dave's not here.

[esox_xtm]

I liked that one too.  I don't think Mark read my resume over very well.  and not only that, I am becoming suspicious that Mark is Judge Judy in disguise.  Never mind I am in Colorado..........what was the question ?   Oh yeah, Dave's not here.

1.) Mark? Mark who?

2.) Judge Judy? You're fired.

3.) No bonus points for impersonating Hal. Just close the pod bays doors when you leave will ya?

Thanks for calling Ice Fishing Hotline. Next question.

/mike

[Evinrude58]

Decided when answering unknown numbers to use the Ice Fishing Hotline bit. Got a call this morning from an unknown number and confused them like you wouldn't believe. conversation went like this:

ME-     Ice Fishing Hotline, how can we help you?

Them- Really?

Me-     Yes

Them- where is everybody?

Me-     Ice fishing

Them- There is ice in Ohio?

Me-     No, everyone went to Wisconsin, there is ice there.

Them- I guess I will call back later.

Me-     Thanks for calling. Have a nice day.