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Another important tip: keep your hands dry.Doesn’t matter what type of reel you use
Forget about reels. Hope your dressing well because a frozen southern boy popsicle is not going to matter which reel you have….🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Welcome to the site and I hope you have a great experience…✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️
Wise words. Keeping your hands and feet warm is key. Nothing turns an outing to crap faster than cold fingers or feet, imho.
Don't have your 1st beer till after noon! Long day, Get some hand/footwarmers
Maybe put some braid on that reel. Low stretch and lack of memory helps detect the bites better.
If you are targeting pike or walleye, get ahold of some tipups if the tournament allows these to be used. I am nearly exclusively a tipup fisherman, for all species that can be caught in NY.Not only do they allow you down time from active angling so that you can eat and drink and socialize while still fishing, the sight of a flag going up still gets us guys in their 4th decade of doing this excited.
I haven't been out that way yet, but Brainerd area is ice fishing mecca, and the socializing will be a huge part of it for sure. You'll meet some characters, and I'm sure they'll be just as glad to meet you.Looks like you've gotten some great advice so far. Keep browsing threads, plenty more to learn.I grew up trout and bass fishing in Virginia, and fell desperately in love with ice fishing when I moved up to Minnesota. I wouldn't be surprised if you feel the same way. Just remember to stay warm. It's easier to shed layers and cool down than warm up if you're under-dressed.Welcome aboard and feel free to ask any and all more questions, this might be the most helpful and friendly website left on the internet
I've read up on these a bit. Definitely WAY out of my wheelhouse with these...but i get the advantage. I am allowed 2 holes. Maybe I "tip" one and work the other. I see them on amazon. They don't cost any more that an ice rod is going to. Ill continue to research. Thanks !!!
Although...not being local...and up against 10,000 fisherman. Im not even going to try to get live bait. Ill be relegated to plastics if in going to use one of these. Not sure how effective that will be.
A wise member of this forum told me a few years back, in derbies with a large turnout it’s important to have a presentation different than all the others. I since added beads and blades to my pike tip up leaders. Some beads even glow for an added attractant. Thanks again for that too esox_xtm!
Important tip: You don't need to buy ice to keep the beer cold. Don't snicker. My non-ice fishing brother actually did this the first time I got him to traipse out with us. At least his intentions were good! Can't have you lookin' the fool