2020-2021 ice season

[bigk]

Crickets boys. What’s every body working on for this ice season???

[saskbucks]

With this cold weather we could be fishing the hard water soon.  I’m working on a new auger.  I sold my gas model and bought a kick ass hammer drill.  Will get a flighting soon.  Leaning toward the Eskimo pistol bit.

[ran7ger]

 bigk - i'm working on trying not to spend any more money on ice gear  new permanent shack last year that i insulated and finished with fake barn board interior.  might do some permanent led lighting rather than just using the luminoodle.  got my flasher set up to run off my m18 batteries that also power the auger and lighting but debating long and hard about picking up a helix 7 g3.  hopefully find a decent deal around black friday.  also waiting on a good deal on 4 catch covers to finish the floor in the shack.

 considering a new vk540 so i guess the whole not spending money thing is in limbo lol..

 and if a guy has a new sled may as well stick an otter xover flip behind it...we'll see.

saskbucks - if you're considering a clam plate i just saw canadian tire had them on clearance for $70.  may have to order online but i would highly recommend the investment if you're committing to a drill auger set up.  i went a year or two with just a cheap adapter and the side handle on the drill but after going with a plate i wouldn't go without again.  this will be my 7th season with a drill set up, might be time to dust off and sell the strikemaster honda.

 looking like there might be "safe" ice on some of the tiny trout lakes by the end of the month.  here's to ice fishing in october!!!

[bigk]

I put a helix 7 on the boat this year and really like it so far. First on my list is the ice kit for it so it can be used this winter and the old ice 35 can be passed down to the kids.

[shawno]

I'm kinda in the same boat as saskbucks. I sold my Tanaka engine last spring, but still have my Nils flighting. I'm thinking about selling it, along with the two powerheads I have and buying an Eskimo PB or StrikeMaster LF. I always like to try new stuff out, so we will see. Other than that, starting to think about first ice here. Wouldn't mind to get the boat out one more time, but that might be wishful thinking. Heard today up near Meadow Lake area people were out skating on a pond already, so it won't be long now.

[saskbucks]

Ranger-which model of Milwaukee drill do you use?

[ran7ger]

2704-20 on a clam plate with 8" finbore.  Picked up a 9ah battery for it on a great deal and couldn't be happier.

[canada]

Ive seen it in action  Its a beast  Out cuts my big eskimo 2-1 I bet

I do not think I need much more gear   Some new line and just to get things arranged and ready to hit the ice.  Looking forward to trying some new lakes this winter.  Would be really nice if the snow stayed away so we got some decent ice right off start.

[saskbucks]

I have the 2804-22.  Same model different year I suppose.  Looking forward to it.  And glad to be out the gas world. I was lucky enough to get a free battery. Have 3 5AH ones to use.

[ran7ger]

I had 5 ah before and they're solid.  With 8" bit I bet you'd get 30ish holes in 2ft of ice on one 5ah, just have to keep the blades sharp.  More holes than i ever need but for $100 I couldn't pass up the 9ah.

[BlueDevil]

Goose season, Deer season and then I’ll be ready to go!  

[OverUnder725]

Just finished building my portable outdoor kitchen of sorts.  Takes up 1/2 my truck box and still lets me get all my fishing gear in for when we can start driving on.  I will use it for upland hunting as well.  Nothing like a hot cooked lunch on a cold day.

[saskbucks]

I had 5 ah before and they're solid.  With 8" bit I bet you'd get 30ish holes in 2ft of ice on one 5ah, just have to keep the blades sharp.  More holes than i ever need but for $100 I couldn't pass up the 9ah.

Right on   That 9AH sounds like a dream. 

[sparksNfishing]

I managed to snag one of the Clam plates Canada Tire had on clearance and found a next to new used manual auger that will fit it. Already have a Milwaukee Fuel and 9ah battery with a bunch of 5ah ones too. I'm looking to shed some lbs to make early ice easier.
Next is pulling the trigger on the Striker Hardwater suit and possibly a camera but undecided on size on model of AquaVu. Also making a smitty sled frame my Otter sled can fit into. Going to be welding on my backrack to fit a solar panel on a frame I can deploy when I need to charge any batteries. Rig some 12v RGB lighting inside my tent. Buy older snow mobile at some point in life.

[rcales]

Big upgrades this year for me

-Clam Yukon thermal
-new to me Polaris sportsman quad
- flaman trailer to yard everything around
-ion auger
-ice kit for my helix 5
- marcum camera

Look out fishies I'm coming for ya

[Eyecoholic]

Long time listener first time caller

Improved the social isolation gear a lot:

- Upgrade to Livescope, Summit shuttle inbound, new 14v NMC 19AH
- New to me canvas craft double flip over
- New to me thorne bros rods x 2
- Clam plate, Nero, new Milwaukee drill
- DIY Icehole Power box
 

[shawno]

Welcome to the forum rcales and Eyecoholic!

You both picked up some awesome gear and have the itch bad I see 

[jayg]

All iv'e got this year (so far) is some new FXR excursion bibs, some Baffin boots and am pretty excited about the new Otter Sidekick which I ordered direct as I could not find a retailer in Canada. Will probably get a couple new rods and new line/tackle in the next couple weeks.

[walleyeking]

Hey guys, kinda new to ice fishing. moved to saskatoon from lethbridge last winter before the carnage of covid hit, looking to do lots of ice fishing on blackstrap this winter [close to home] .Any info on depth, locations  north end, south end would  be helpful. i do have all the gear of a seasoned ice fisher  shelter ,auger, camera, marcum  flasher even sled if so needed. looking for pickerel or large perch are there burbot in blackstrap. Any info would be much appreciated

[bigk]

Walleyeking stay tuned for the blackstrap thread or look back through the last couple winters threads. You will find more than enough info to get you started.

[canada]

those are nice fxr bibs they will do the job

sims makes a really good pair as well but pricey from I recall.

yes there will be a big blackstrap thread for sure always   welcome to the area bud

[RyanW]

I had 5 ah before and they're solid.  With 8" bit I bet you'd get 30ish holes in 2ft of ice on one 5ah, just have to keep the blades sharp.  More holes than i ever need but for $100 I couldn't pass up the 9ah.

I use the Milwaukee fuel with an 8” Lazer w/clam plate and I get 30 holes almost like clockwork in 18” of ice with a 5ah battery. I can almost predict the number of holes I’ll get  by how thick the ice is. I upgraded to a 12ah battery last year and never had to consider hole count. Granted, I didn’t see over a foot of ice all last season but i have no doubt it’s more than I’ll ever need (as I’m already contemplating a second 12ah lol). My blades are also going into their 8th or 9th season without being sharpened. The Swedish make excellent auger blades

Now I’m highly considering trying the new Clam Gear Box to see how that helps (or doesn’t) with performance. The ice can’t come quick enough.

[306fisher]

This is a little off topic but I just bought a helix 7 g3, any tips any of you guys got for using them on the ice would be appreciated 👍

[saskbucks]

This is a little off topic but I just bought a helix 7 g3, any tips any of you guys got for using them on the ice would be appreciated 👍

I have the older model of that unit.  Love it. First off, always run it on low brightness. ~4. That way it lasts longer. 

[ben-lucky]

I bought the K drill last year and really like it except 5 amp batteries only can cut about 6 holes in march so have to upgrade to 12a battery.

I want to mount the flighting to my ski doo expedition.  has anyone found a good way to do this?  would be great to put drill in a back pack and have flighting attached to the ski doo.  seems better than on my lap or on the kids lap.

[306fisher]

Thanks saskbucks will do

[EVAN NIM]

Picked up a new Ion G2 10".. been waiting to treat myself.. cant wait for first ice..!

[shawno]

Anyone looking to upgrade to a Milwaukee M18 12ah HO HD battery...BCfastners have them on sale w/free shipping for $199CDN.

https://bcfasteners.com/shop/milwaukee-48-11-1812-m18-redlithium-high-output-hd12-0-battery-pack/

I tried to PM with HD, but they said they are OOS in S'toon and their warehouse currently, so they couldn't make it happen.  At any rate, this is a great deal considering these batteries go for $349CDN

[canada]

fishers om montreal lk today wow

[Scrunt]

I picked up a Otter Vortex Lodge this year. This shack looks awesome and I am impressed with how well built it looks. Rod holders and nice big pockets inside and cargo nets up top. The tie down anchors will be a dream when setting up in the wind.  I used a Eskimo quick fish 3 for 8 years so the extra 2 feet on each side means it’s like a mansion to me. Can’t wait to spend many days and nights in this. (Had to set it up in the living room today just to look at it again)