Next Upgrade?

[Mchmss]

I've been building my ice fishing setup each year and at a point where I feel I have all the essentials.

I have a gas auger, marcum m1, insulated pop up for when I'm with a group., One person flip over for when I'm alone, buddy heater, a good assortment of rods and tackle.

I'd love to here what you guys think would be the next best piece of equipment to add or upgrade. New shack? Helix Sonar? Drill Auger setup, underwater camera?

Based on your experience what would you recommend the best next purchase should be?

[HWeber]

Unless water clarity is great in your area I recommend not getting a camera.  Most  people have unrealistic expectations to how far a camera can see.

[Svengalli]

Tough question to answer. A lot depends on where you live (quality of ice, amount of snowfall, temps, etc.) and what you fish for. IMO a snowmobile or quad are a necessity where I fish most times of the year (at least to get where I want to go).

During your trips is there any particular element you feel is lackluster within the equipment you have? An element you feel could be done with less effort? Sometimes is more about mods to equipment to improve things (organization and storage as an example) then it is about entirely new equipment.

[Doug SD]

I would say drill auger.  Couple years ago I went to k drill with Milwaukee on a clam plate.  I couldn't believe how much lighter it was hauling out and in drilling.  Plus it cut so much faster.  If I was looking now I would look at the new strikemaster drill auger bit but I think any of them look to be good.  I also went from uninsulated clam to thermal otter about 5 years ago and the thermal upgrade was very noticeable on those windy days also.

[Bucket Rump]

Float Suit, Power auger, Smitty Sled, Snowmobile/ATV - whatever will help expand your time and/or areas to fish.

[hardwater diehard]

Sometimes its the little things/details ..Lighter lines has made a world of difference in my presentations ..adding tip downs is also a inexpensive tool ..put them left.. right..up and back.. keeps track of the schools movements and gives you the direction to pursue them...adding a dead stick ..each and every time is useful ..adding a good mechanism/rod holder to your arsenal for such purpose ...cold snap tooth pick EZPZ hook removal .Cameras are nice but can be cumbersome ..up down and cable management ..but great for structure identification/verification..the set up/equipment you have seems very adequate ..tweaking it some ..making it lighter ..more comfortable ..will let you fish longer and get you to move a lot more with ease. The smallest changes most often yields the biggest results .



https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/catch-cover-portable-multi-flex-rod-holder-with-c-clamp-mount?a=488394

https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Snap-Outdoors-Toothpick-Remover/dp/B01HBXR7UY/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&hvadid=78477753296878&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=cold+snap+toothpick+hook+remover&psc=1&qid=1570985883&sr=8-2 

[stout93]

Unless water clarity is great in your area I recommend not getting a camera.  Most  people have unrealistic expectations to how far a camera can see.

I love my camera and I fish in dirty water. I set it up so it's pointed at my lure. I'm not expecting to see out 10-20 feet.

Nothing more entertaining than watching a northern sniff the lure and enticing him to bite.

[HWeber]

I love my camera and I fish in dirty water. I set it up so it's pointed at my lure. I'm not expecting to see out 10-20 feet.

Nothing more entertaining than watching a northern sniff the lure and enticing him to bite.

I don't disagree with you but most seem to purchase a camera thinking 10-20ft is realistic and then complain about the camera when they meet reality

[ran7ger]

 drill auger and 10lb propane tank for the buddy.  getting rid of the gas auger the weight will be the same 

[jethro]

A camera has been my most recent acquisition that has changed the game for my fishing. A drill auger has also enabled me to reduce weight and space resources in all my setups. This year I've upgraded my shanty so I can overnight in it which will hopefully get me cusk fishing some more this season. I'm looking to get some cusk chowder going this year! Just a few ideas.

[Sylvanboat]

I don't disagree with you but most seem to purchase a camera thinking 10-20ft is realistic and then complain about the camera when they meet reality

I have an AquaVu mini.  I cut 3 holes in my hut, center for flasher and camera, and 2 outer holes for rods. I use camera to watch my baits and what the fish are reacting to.  Water can be dingy and my camera is still useful.  It also super fun to see what is going on down there. Flasher only tells part of the story.

[stinkyfingers]

The day may well arrive when the thought "What more should I add?" will be replaced with "What can I leave behind?". I've got at least four grand tied up in ice fishing

paraphernalia, augers, flips, electronics, heaters, sleds, suits and all the miscellaneous stuff that seemed like such a great idea when acquired over the course of forty years plus on

the ice. Three quarters of it has been sold, given away, or bone piled and I'm still trying to get free from more and more every year. Very little of it actually made me a better

fisherman or put more fish on the ice. Creature comforts are nice until that age when gravity starts getting real mean. My drill auger would rate as most valuable component.

[Unclegillhunter]

Unless water clarity is great in your area I recommend not getting a camera.  Most  people have unrealistic expectations to how far a camera can see.

This is a great reply!
Keep it safe! JDL

[Mchmss]

Thanks for the tips all. I'm leaning towards a drill Auger set up. Reducing weight and getting away from gas/oil seems like a good next step.

[Buckshots]

How are your boots? Boots can make or break your day. Number one piece of gear IMO. I would suggest a float suit.

[Mchmss]

I have a float suit and I'm happy with the boots I have. Only a couple years old and haven't had cold feet yet.

[slipperybob]

I have a float suit and I'm happy with the boots I have. Only a couple years old and haven't had cold feet yet.

LOL...I remember when I was young and my feet were never that cold.  Now...it's cold, it's cold. 

Sometimes it's not always about upgrading, but having spares or backups.  I know I'm all about having a rod (n reel) or two for backups...

[matzilla]

https://finickyfooler.com/products/finicky-fooler one of those
Lithium jump pack battery to replace the agm in my shack to run lights/usb charging off of
building a few rods to supplement what I already have

[Unclegillhunter]

The day may well arrive when the thought "What more should I add?" will be replaced with "What can I leave behind?". I've got at least four grand tied up in ice fishing

paraphernalia, augers, flips, electronics, heaters, sleds, suits and all the miscellaneous stuff that seemed like such a great idea when acquired over the course of forty years plus on

the ice. Three quarters of it has been sold, given away, or bone piled and I'm still trying to get free from more and more every year. Very little of it actually made me a better

fisherman or put more fish on the ice. Creature comforts are nice until that age when gravity starts getting real mean. My drill auger would rate as most valuable component.

  don’t have quite that much invested close though. Last season we got some deeper snow and for the first time I had to say ok too old to drag this stuff across the lake. Now taking a look at a piece of equipment and asking myself do I need this? If I need it can I get a lighter version? Did I use this last season if not probably going to a new home. A couple of my nephews seem to be pretty happy about the whole thing.
Keep it safe! JDL

[Light liner]

A good ice chisel bar, to check the ice as your walking out.
Beginning and end of the season with sketchy ice its a thing to have.

[CeePac]

This is my 3rd year ice fishing - I got good boots last year and bought a few poles, one tip up, and a few different jigs.    I want an auger next and thinking I'll go drill auger.  I don't get out enough to justify a shanty, plus I have two friends who have one that I go fishing with.  May get a nice heater so we can keep warm inside.

[kayl]

Unlike a few people in this thread, I love my camera. Helps me identify structure and fish species. I don't go out without it and added a full size camera for this year.

I have the Aqua Vu Micro Revolution Pro and with the cable reel it is so quick to drop down the camera and scout that it's ridiculous.

[iceman10]

Korker boots & 8” k-drill . I’m set everywhere else

[mboss13]

Snowdog and Livescope......the best two things i added to my setup.

[Buckshots]

Unlike a few people in this thread, I love my camera. Helps me identify structure and fish species. I don't go out without it and added a full size camera for this year.

I have the Aqua Vu Micro Revolution Pro and with the cable reel it is so quick to drop down the camera and scout that it's ridiculous.

X2. I love my camera as well. I prefer my flasher for fishing but the micro cameras are a great tool for scouting structure. I don’t leave home without it. Really helps out finding the spot on the spot.

[albo]

I like my camera as I can see how the fish are reacting to my presentation, nothing more frustrating than seeing fish on the sonar and not getting any hits. I can't see very far 2-3' in most waters I fish and it also helps keep my grandson occupied.

[kasilofchrisn]

I bought a camera years ago, a nice color one thinking it would really be great.
The honest truth is I probably haven't had it on the ice in a couple of years or more.
I was thinking of letting it go but my dad wants to use it at the cabin in the summer to check out a few spots on the lake.
My flasher is so much quicker and easier to set up and its put way more fish on the ice than my camera ever did.
The flasher tells me instantly what would take 5 minutes or more to do with a camera.
Plus the fact that the camera is only looking at one depth level and the flashers looking at the entire water column the whole time.
To be honest I don't think I would spend my money on a camera.
I think anything that makes you more mobile is a good upgrade and a camera does the opposite of that.
Just my 2 cents anyway.

[DR.SPECKLER]

a camera is alright if sitting in a hub with no plans on moving for the day and watch it like a tv..but as soon as you have to move and setup somewhere else its a pain to setup unreel all the camera  cord and fiddle with what way the camera point ect.flasher or finder is a lot more useful when being on the search for fish.