THERE IS NO ICE FISHING IN ATLANTA

[BASSCYN]

Greetings all ! Yes...I live in Atlanta and headed to the Brainerd JC Fishing Extravaganza in Minnesota !
Never been Ice Fishing in my life...much less ever seen a frozen lake. lol
I am an avid bass fisherman in Georgia and wondering about equipment. I’ve been trolling this site which is very helpful, but I haven’t been able to find a definitive answer to this.
Fishing Reels!
Looks like you guys use really light line for this. I have lots of light spinning reels I can mount up on an Ice Rod. Is that ok? Do I really need to invest in an “ice specific” reel? I’ll probably only do this once in my life so I’m hoping I can use some equipment I already have.
Any guidance or other recommended threads appreciated.

[Skywagon]

I assume you will be fishing for walleye, or panfish since you are going to be in Brainerd?  There is no reason why you cannot use a spinning reel you already have.  I switch reels out between hard and soft water fishing all the time.

[CrappiePerchDude]

The short answer - yes, that’s okay.  There are a lot of options and variability for reels, line, rods, and technique - depending on what you really want to target.  Be careful, be respectful, and have fun.

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/gofishing/learn-ice-fish.html

[BASSCYN]

Really appreciate it. Unlike a typical Bass tournament where you turn in your best 5 fish... this appears to be a "big fish" competition.
So yes, Walleye or Pike are probably my primary targets.

[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 

[BASSCYN]

That's like the best tip I have received. lol. I was actually concerned the beer would freeze !
I have never been in a situation where I needed to keep the beer warm.

[Raquettedacker]

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…✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️

[ActiveTrapChecker]

Another important tip: keep your hands dry.

Doesn’t matter what type of reel you use

[RickWakeman]

[BASSCYN]

Another important tip: keep your hands dry.

Doesn’t matter what type of reel you use

...thats a good point. Noted sir lol

[zcm_82]

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.

[BASSCYN]

Wise words.  Keeping your hands and feet warm is key. Nothing turns an outing to crap faster than cold fingers or feet, imho.

Heated gloves...Heated socks... Check!

[hardwater diehard]

Good boots ...going up a size or two can be helpful for wiggle room ...neck gator/scarf....gloves ...xtra gloves and xtra xtra gloves ..swapping them out when they get wet . some rechargeable double sided hand warmers can be quite useful.

[LingEater]

Maybe put some braid on that reel.  Low stretch and lack of memory helps detect the bites better. 

[WARRIOR_ON_ICE]

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.

[Splattypus]

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

[BUCKSKI]

Don't have your 1st beer till after noon! Long day, 

Get some hand/footwarmers

[sploke]

Don't have your 1st beer till after noon! Long day, 

Get some hand/footwarmers

You can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning!! 

[BASSCYN]

Maybe put some braid on that reel.  Low stretch and lack of memory helps detect the bites better.

This is the first mention of using braid. I will definitely look into that. Thanks

[BASSCYN]

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'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 !!!

[BASSCYN]

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

Thank you ! I cant wait 

[BASSCYN]

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.

[filetandrelease]

 Works pretty good on braid and guides
 

[ActiveTrapChecker]

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 tip esox_xtm!

[filetandrelease]

 Good one  ATC never hurts to think outside the box

[sodussut]

I prefer mittens to gloves; gloves will not keep your hands warm like a leather.lined work glove. And don't put on your warm weather clothes until you get to your fishing destination to prevent sweating and wetting your body. That is a killer for sure!
Beer will freeze, try fortified  wines with alcohol over 16%  or the hard stuff!  Better yet, don't drink and you will stay warmer.
Have a ball!

[hardwater diehard]

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!

[Hard_H2O]

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 

If you have beverages on the ice it is harder to keep them warm enough so they do not freeze.

[Hard_H2O]

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.

They are allowed. You can also buy 2 tickets and fish 2 holes. i would not run a tip-up but I would run one jigging pole and one bobber rig with a live minnow.

https://www.icefishing.org/about/faqs/

https://www.icefishing.org/about/official-rules/

[Hard_H2O]

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 !!!

I believe you have to buy a ticket for each hole.