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Wyoming => Ice Fishing Wyoming => Topic started by: WYIfish on Jan 24, 2021, 12:29 PM

Title: Scoop or swoop
Post by: WYIfish on Jan 24, 2021, 12:29 PM
I carry a light weight plastic snow shovel to clear my cuttings around my ice hole.  Some scoop, some use a boot and kick away the cuttings. Some just leave the slushy ring around the whole as a berm to keep the errant fish from falling back down the hole.

Do we have a more popular way to attack the hole?
Title: Re: Scoop or swoop
Post by: fish/hunt4ever on Jan 24, 2021, 06:42 PM
I run polar tip ups and I use my boot to push the shavings away. If there is a breeze I try to build it up on that side to make a wind block but having a nice smooth area around to let the fish run and not have something for the line to catch on and pull the hook or break the mono I run for a leader. Have used a shovel before and is just something more to carry as the ice scoop can get move anything i need to scrap away for the most part.
Title: Re: Scoop or swoop
Post by: dubob on Jan 26, 2021, 08:08 AM
I always use a shovel to clear the chips away from the hole.  It makes it very easy to keep the hole chip free.  If not cleared, then the chips always seem to get knocked back into the hole every time a fish is brought up through the hole and the scoop needs to be put into action to clear it.  But then, I was an engineer in a previous life and like things nice and tidy - know what I mean Vern?   ;D
Title: Re: Scoop or swoop
Post by: SLAYERFISH on Jan 26, 2021, 01:27 PM
A quick swipe with the boot and it's good enuff!
Title: Re: Scoop or swoop
Post by: dubob on Jan 26, 2021, 02:21 PM
I forgot to mention; the shovel also is very handy for putting snow on the apron of the tent to keep out light and wind driven snow along the bottom edge of the shelter.
Title: Re: Scoop or swoop
Post by: Old Goat on Jan 26, 2021, 02:37 PM
A quick swipe with the boot and it's good enuff!
  X2
Title: Re: Scoop or swoop
Post by: Icephishwyo on Jan 26, 2021, 02:52 PM
The real pros have girls with a squeegee clearing around their holes ;D
Title: Re: Scoop or swoop
Post by: hardwater diehard on Jan 26, 2021, 02:58 PM
Been pushing the slush down the hole via reversing my cordless set up in my hub this season seems to be good idea thus far..but on the hole hopping holes outside it is coned up ..I may kick a swipe or two for my Vexilar or kick a swipe if its a hot hole or detect structure via my Vexilar or AV camera.
Title: Re: Scoop or swoop
Post by: PikeKing23 on Jan 26, 2021, 03:04 PM
I use hole covers so the area has to be flat. Doesn't have to be level with the ice but it has to be flat.  I'm usually out with a few other guys and I got the gear, so I drill the holes and let the lackys clean them.  We use a small retractable emergency snow shovel. Small footprint in the sled.
Title: Re: Scoop or swoop
Post by: Icemanjim on Jan 26, 2021, 07:18 PM
I always shovel around the hole smooth. Once had the line get caught on a frozen shard and break. Besides who doesn't like a clean hole?
Title: Re: Scoop or swoop
Post by: SLAYERFISH on Jan 26, 2021, 08:35 PM
I always shovel around the hole smooth. Once had the line get caught on a frozen shard and break. Besides who doesn't like a clean hole?

Well stated, Jim! @)
Title: Re: Scoop or swoop
Post by: phishmonger on Jan 28, 2021, 12:09 PM
I always shovel around the hole smooth. Once had the line get caught on a frozen shard and break. Besides who doesn't like a clean hole?

Same here. I've had enough issues with line getting caught on frozen slush around holes that I take an extra couple of seconds and use the scoop to *ahem* clean my hole...