IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Pennsylvania => Ice Fishing Pennsylvania => Topic started by: Drillin-n-Chillin on Jan 03, 2020, 01:07 PM
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With all the crappy weather I thought let’s start something more positive and interesting that we can have some fun with.
So, share if you care to your “old school” tips tricks for ice fishing. No need to add swearing at them, cause that too obvious. 😀
For starters
1. Jig in reverse - start high and drop, stop to the bottom
2. After a catch rub the jig on the fish to slime it up a little to hide any human scent from your fingers.
I don’t know if they make any difference but I still do it so maybe superstition.
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The only superstition i have is i dont refuel my truck or boat the day before or day of a fishing trip.im almost positive gas and oil keep fish from biting.i wont even run my snowblower the day before a fishing trip.lol and if i need gas i will have my wife refuel the truck.
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When crappie fishing, I religiously use scents. I reapply after every fish otherwise I'm positive I won't get another bite...
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Gasoline's scent messing up a bite is true. I try to avoid getting gas too and leave the power auger at home cause I always get gas on me.
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Before I had a flasher I'd always let my jig drop to the bottom, count the cranks it took to raise the jig to the top of the hole to figure out how deep the water is then start jigging in the bottom fourth of the water's depth. When we caught our first keeper perch we'd put their eyes on our jigs which always seemed to turn on the perch bite.
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x2 on the Crappie scents. I keep a small plastic bottle (with a screw on lid) of attractant in my pocket. This is standard for many but when I do use tip ups I put a tiny bobber just under the device. I prefer to drill my own holes even when open ones are available so I guess that is superstition.
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Here’s a trick that’s worked well for me for replacing tip up flags quickly, cheaply and fairly permanently - even while on the ice.
I carry a small roll of bright red or bright orange duct tape in my gear box. If the flag on one of my tip ups falls off (as they all seem to do at some point), just tear off a piece of the tape about 2x the size of the flag. Position the tape with the tip up rod centered and fold it over itself sandwiching the rod inside. Voila! Instant replacement flag ready to go in about 3 seconds for about a nickel. Best yet, you can find this stuff in a pharmacy or dollar store, cut it to any size you need and it will work with pretty much any style of tipup.
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I have a gas auger just bring along some baby wipes an anti bacterial gel and your hands will smell like a baby’s bottom it works for me rubber glove do too the jiffy’s cheaper to run in the long run never needs batteries. A/P :tipup: :tipup: :tipup:
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Here’s a trick that’s worked well for me for replacing tip up flags quickly, cheaply and fairly permanently - even while on the ice.
I carry a small roll of bright red or bright orange duct tape in my gear box. If the flag on one of my tip ups falls off (as they all seem to do at some point), just tear off a piece of the tape about 2x the size of the flag. Position the tape with the tip up rod centered and fold it over itself sandwiching the rod inside. Voila! Instant replacement flag ready to go in about 3 seconds for about a nickel. Best yet, you can find this stuff in a pharmacy or dollar store, cut it to any size you need and it will work with pretty much any style of tipup.
That's a good tip! I've heard black flags are more visible than orange chartreuse etc. because of the snow/white background. Anyone ever try that?
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Jaeger - I’ve never tried black flags but I could see where they would be good against snow. I’ve never had a problem seeing red or orange so that’s what I use. Also, there are many times I’m fishing without snow cover so I’d think black would be tougher to see without snow.
In recent years, I’ve also added bells to my tipups so they make noise when they trip. I buy small Christmas jingle bells from a craft store: https://www.joann.com/fab-lab-craft-72-pk-0.38-jingle-bells-silver/15531163.html#start=1 (https://www.joann.com/fab-lab-craft-72-pk-0.38-jingle-bells-silver/15531163.html#start=1)
Then attach them to a paper binder clip. The clips are available in pharmacies or office supply stores: https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/808857/OIC-Binder-Clips-Small-34-Black/fromLocalBrowse=false (https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/808857/OIC-Binder-Clips-Small-34-Black/fromLocalBrowse=false)
You can remove the metal wire from the clip, thread a couple of bells onto the wire, and then reinsert the wire back onto the clip or you can thread the bells through a piece of mono and tie to the wire on the clip. Two or three bells are plenty. Once you’ve attached the bells to the clips, just clip them onto the flag of your tipup. When it trips, you’ll hear the bells even if you don’t see the flag go.
When finished, just Unclip the clip and attach it to a piece of cardboard or something similar to store for the next trip.
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That's a good tip! I've heard black flags are more visible than orange chartreuse etc. because of the snow/white background. Anyone ever try that?
Black flags are the worst color there is. If there is any shoreline in the background the black flags blend with it and are invisible.
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I can see black flags better than any other color for some reason and every tip up i own has them.
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I replace all my tipup flags with black flags. Much better. I can see them better at any distance.
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Jaeger - I’ve never tried black flags but I could see where they would be good against snow. I’ve never had a problem seeing red or orange so that’s what I use. Also, there are many times I’m fishing without snow cover so I’d think black would be tougher to see without snow.
In recent years, I’ve also added bells to my tipups so they make noise when they trip. I buy small Christmas jingle bells from a craft store: https://www.joann.com/fab-lab-craft-72-pk-0.38-jingle-bells-silver/15531163.html#start=1 (https://www.joann.com/fab-lab-craft-72-pk-0.38-jingle-bells-silver/15531163.html#start=1)
Then attach them to a paper binder clip. The clips are available in pharmacies or office supply stores: https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/808857/OIC-Binder-Clips-Small-34-Black/fromLocalBrowse=false (https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/808857/OIC-Binder-Clips-Small-34-Black/fromLocalBrowse=false)
You can remove the metal wire from the clip, thread a couple of bells onto the wire, and then reinsert the wire back onto the clip or you can thread the bells through a piece of mono and tie to the wire on the clip. Two or three bells are plenty. Once you’ve attached the bells to the clips, just clip them onto the flag of your tipup. When it trips, you’ll hear the bells even if you don’t see the flag go.
When finished, just Unclip the clip and attach it to a piece of cardboard or something similar to store for the next trip.
That's a great idea, I'm going to do it. Thank you for sharing.
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Put sand or a roll of toilet paper in a metal can, pour in isopropyl alcohol, light it up, burns clean and is cheaper heat than propane and a lot more btu than sterno. I use a quart paint can and take just enough off a roll of toilet paper so it fits in. Put the lid on it to extinguish and seal for next use. I've never kept track of how fast it burns but I usually burn it for 6-8 hours and it never goes out, I top it off before I use it each day and go thru a quart of fuel (1.49) every 3-4 days of fishing, the roll of tp lasts indefinitely, the can will rust through first.
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Might be too hot for that? probably 3 times the heat of a sterno can. I use to light a sterno and put it in bottom of bucket, I don't think you can do that with this, probably melt the bucket. The flame burns clear and is higher than you think. the occasional yellow in the flame is the paper burning a bit.
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Be sure to save some of that toilet paper for its intended purpose and be careful you don’t set your arse on fire.
A few fishing related.
Replacement flags - buy a cheap disposable orange work vest and cut it make replacement flags
Depth marker- Add a small shirt button to your tip up line to mark your depth. Run the line through one hole of the button and out the one opposite. It will slide when you want it to but will stay in place. This isn’t a good idea for weedy lakes as the button will catch in the weeds when a fish runs off. Set some of your traps up with and some without the button so you have what you need for the type of lake.
Old depth finder - twine and a lead weight with a mark every 5 feet. Used to use this before electronics. Read a depth map then prospect with the line to find the general area I wanted to be in. (Amazing how gps and electronics changed things).
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I have done the button thing for years but if you get a knot in your line you can't slide the button past the knot most times. Also if when you wrap it up and then your line freezes it can be a pain in the butt to get it out if it happens to somehow get below the button rather than on top of it. I've used bobbers, and split shots but found tooth picks work great. Make a loop in your line and then each end thru that loop to form another loop, put toothpick in that loop and pull snug. End of day pull toothpick out and wrap it up., end up with no knots in the line.
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Black duct tape flags for 5 years now. Gorilla tape...….
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I have done the button thing for years but if you get a knot in your line you can't slide the button past the knot most times. Also if when you wrap it up and then your line freezes it can be a pain in the butt to get it out if it happens to somehow get below the button rather than on top of it. I've used bobbers, and split shots but found tooth picks work great. Make a loop in your line and then each end thru that loop to form another loop, put toothpick in that loop and pull snug. End of day pull toothpick out and wrap it up., end up with no knots in the line.
I recently moved over to buttons as markers for my tipups. I really haven't had any issues with them and can adjust them pretty quickly. I use oversized buttons so they slide easily. Also, larger button holes allow knots to pass through. If the line freezes near the button, I usually just dip it in the water for a few seconds and then it's good to go. I never really liked the mini bobbers even though I know many people use them. I always was concerned that the bobber could create additional drag in the water when a fish was running and potentially cause the fish to drop the bait if they are in a finicky mood.
Before I used buttons, I used a rubber band to mark the line. Just tie a gentle overhand knot with the rubber band to mark your spot on the line. If you need to change depths, you can slide the rubber band pretty easily or just un-loop and retie. The only downside to the rubber bands is that they tend to dry rot over time. After a year or so, they dry out and break or when it's warm when they are in storage, they can leave a sticky residue on the line. I still carry them as a backup but use the buttons in most cases.
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I just slide the button down the line toward the hook when I’m done. This way you're not wrapping the line over the button and getting it botched up.
(https://i.postimg.cc/m1ZrrzXB/04965398-E5-F0-4-FF8-99-E1-2899-EEE41902.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/m1ZrrzXB)
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When fishing tip-ups I save any dead shiners I have for chum. Cut it in half, smash it to release more scent and break the air bladder, drop a half down the hole. On a clear day as it sinks you will see the small scales coming off and shining like pieces of glitter going down. I think it makes both a site and scent attractant. Doesn't always work, but I have had days with nothing happening where would I would get flags a few minutes after chumming with the dead shiners.
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When fishing tip-ups I save any dead shiners I have for chum. Cut it in half, smash it to release more scent and break the air bladder, drop a half down the hole. On a clear day as it sinks you will see the small scales coming off and shining like pieces of glitter going down. I think it makes both a site and scent attractant. Doesn't always work, but I have had days with nothing happening where would I would get flags a few minutes after chumming with the dead shiners.
I like it! I'm usually jigging, but I drop the dead ones down the hole. I've even seen fish come look at them on the depth finder. I like to think that you're giving something back to the lake. haha.
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When fishing tip-ups I save any dead shiners I have for chum. Cut it in half, smash it to release more scent and break the air bladder, drop a half down the hole. On a clear day as it sinks you will see the small scales coming off and shining like pieces of glitter going down. I think it makes both a site and scent attractant. Doesn't always work, but I have had days with nothing happening where would I would get flags a few minutes after chumming with the dead shiners.
We also save them for spring pike, catfish, bowfin and striper fishing. Works great!
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I posted this in another thread for trout but thought it may be good to share here as well. When you are jigging, bring your bait all the way up to the ice every few minutes somewhat quickly and then slowly drop it back down - even if you are using sonar and can see where the fish are on your screen. Many times when I do this, I get jarring strikes when I lower the bait. I think this works because fish that are further away from the bait suddenly see the movement of the bait - even from a relatively long distance away and then come over to investigate or feed. It may even trigger a sort of reaction strike for neutral fish. I have had really good success with this technique for a long time and on many different species.
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An old friend of mine used old egg shells as a panfish attractant.
That and enough crushed shells thru the hole laying on the bottom lights things up for better sight fishing.
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The only superstition i have is i dont refuel my truck or boat the day before or day of a fishing trip.im almost positive gas and oil keep fish from biting.i wont even run my snowblower the day before a fishing trip.lol and if i need gas i will have my wife refuel the truck.
ha ha i used to think that then saw gas soaked run off going down my holes and flags poppin like pop corn so who knows
GOD BLESS
mo
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Each year I take some old egg cartons and make an attractor that I drop down the hole when it’s slow or just when I get there. Grab a small rock for each spot in the egg carton so the ice cube sinks. I mix in some fish attractant, maybe some ground up shiners and my trick is some rice crispies and then flash freeze as fast as possible so the crispies hold air. Over the course of a few hours the crispies float up from the bottom randomly attracting fish. If you don’t mind them on your flasher every once in a while you can use them in a jigging hole, if that bothers you toss them in your tip up holes for some extra attractant. Works like a charm.
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Each year I take some old egg cartons and make an attractor that I drop down the hole when it’s slow or just when I get there. Grab a small rock for each spot in the egg carton so the ice cube sinks. I mix in some fish attractant, maybe some ground up shiners and my trick is some rice crispies and then flash freeze as fast as possible so the crispies hold air. Over the course of a few hours the crispies float up from the bottom randomly attracting fish. If you don’t mind them on your flasher every once in a while you can use them in a jigging hole, if that bothers you toss them in your tip up holes for some extra attractant. Works like a charm.
Hmmm... very clever! Quick question - how do you flash freeze your rice crispies? I know that can be done with certain industrial and commercial equipment but can it be done in a standard household freezer?
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Hmmm... very clever! Quick question - how do you flash freeze your rice crispies? I know that can be done with certain industrial and commercial equipment but can it be done in a standard household freezer?
Sure can. Freeze the rice crispies first so they are cold and then add them to the carton mix last and put them right back in the freezer will work. Be sure to open and close the freezer quickly to keep the temp down. If you can mist them outside when it’s below freezing that works as well. Lay them in a cookie sheet, use a spray bottle and mist on some water and it will freeze to the outside of them. I usually try to mist both sides so I do it twice and then add them. This year hasn’t been cold enough for that though.
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No old tips.................. .........….but here is a new one: Ditch the old power auger for a new cordless drill and adapter- you won't regret it! ;) ;D
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Sure can. Freeze the rice crispies first so they are cold and then add them to the carton mix last and put them right back in the freezer will work. Be sure to open and close the freezer quickly to keep the temp down. If you can mist them outside when it’s below freezing that works as well. Lay them in a cookie sheet, use a spray bottle and mist on some water and it will freeze to the outside of them. I usually try to mist both sides so I do it twice and then add them. This year hasn’t been cold enough for that though.
Thanks Jagger! I'm going to give this a try.
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Here's a tip for all you newbies.
To prevent your night crawlers from freezing keep them in your mouth...
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Dirt,
I see guys with the rechargeable drill set up and am jealous. It’s quick, quiet and I’m the dummy hand turning an old 8” blue mora.
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You don't need to spend a fortune on electric specific auger bits either. I am on my third season (ok I've only been out twice this year) with a standard 6in. Lazer set up and a 49$ (bare tool new) Makita Hammer drill. I did upgrade to 5ah batteries since I use the drill for work as well. Just make sure your blades are nice and sharp and you're good to go.
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First of all the bigger the auger the harder it is to drill a 5 or 6 in. Is a lot easier to turn I used a 6 in mora for years and remember it being 2 ft of ice but it’s also easier on the drill too and if you want a drill that takes less effort by a nills A/P :tipup:
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First of all the bigger the auger the harder it is to drill a 5 or 6 in. Is a lot easier to turn I used a 6 in mora for years and remember it being 2 ft of ice but it’s also easier on the drill too and if you want a drill that takes less effort by a nills A/P :tipup:
This makes total sense...but if you fish for pike, its a bit easier to turn them up the hole with a bit larger diameter hole. I guess that would depend on what you like to target. I'm not saying a pike can't squeeze through a 5 or 6" hole, and i'm sure many have done so through the years but the longer you fiddle with them when trying to get them up the hole, the higher the chances of that fish pulling the hooks from its bony mouth. I'm not arguing with you at all, I just think hole diameter probably should depend on your target species.
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Years ago I fished , and I say fished sparingly, with some guys. They cooked awesome meals on the ice. However everyone was given a fork first time out and if you didn’t have your fork you couldn’t eat. It was more ball busting until you got a new fork but it was fun.
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You would be surprised what you can get thru a 6” hole myself pulled an 8# largemouth and a 10.5# Muskie my buddy van cleaver helped me land that I have another one to add a 6# bass thru a 4.5” hole it was tough I hated to lose a good jig. A/P :tipup:
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Depends on the fish. A 36" pike only runs about 13# =/- and muskies are generally longer and slimmer with weight being equal. They should come through a 6" hole fairly easily. 8# LMB? Not so much. I've caught one in that neighborhood (24.5" no weight) and it was just a pig. I could fit both my fists into it's mouth. 6" hole? Good luck. I'm sure it's been done but still. I've had a few mid 40" muskies up through an 8.25" hole. Easier coming up than going back down.
Definitely though, if you are fishing for big fish, the bigger the hole the better off you are.
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When all you have is a 6” auger you make due with what you have the mora was the new thing to have unlike all the new gadgets of today most stuff for ice fishin was homemade . A/P stay safe :tipup:
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Gents,
Debating the size of the hole a fish can come out of is a little off topic. The Bigger the hole, the bigger the things are that can fit through it. That’s obvious and we all make due with what we have....at least until we have money to spend on upgrades.
Most of what me and my family used growing up was homemade and that is the spirit of the thread.
When I was just learning as a kid we made spring bobbers from old guitar strings and leftover wire leader from blue fishing trips. Certainly homemade and just as effective as what is sold today. We made our jigging rods by drilling out an old broom handle (or hockey stick cause they were wood then) and inserting the top half of a two piece ultralight rod. Then taped the reel on and went fishing. Cost $0.00.
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My superstition is with my LX7. I have the graph set up to have the flasher in the center and the bottom lock (vertical graph) on the other side. I never use the automatic lock on it and always adjust it to the manual depth. Probably just stupid thing that I do from when I had my Showdown 5.6db d/t on automatic, it could rarely find the bottom. Nez