Author Topic: How much ice do you need before you go out? (Read 10367 times)

fishercat · « **on:** Nov 16, 2003, 08:08 AM »

What amount of ice does it take to get you out? And how much before you feel comfortable.

Iceshanty · « **Reply #1 on:** Nov 16, 2003, 08:16 AM »

Try this link

http://www.iceshanty.com/forum/index.php?board=44;action=display;threadid=3875

-Scott

Icenutter · « **Reply #2 on:** Nov 16, 2003, 08:50 AM »

Give me 3 inches of clear ice and I am there.

nunzio · « **Reply #3 on:** Nov 16, 2003, 09:37 AM »

It takes 4 inches before I feel that I don't have to tip-toe. Not that it makes me any lighter

FullTmeDad · « **Reply #4 on:** Nov 16, 2003, 09:53 AM »

Three to four inches but I'll still wear a pfd and carry my spikes. I've gone through the ice before...it's not fun!

FishDaddy09 · « **Reply #5 on:** Nov 16, 2003, 10:53 AM »

Fishercat: I will go on 2" good hard ice, if it's cold and makeing ice. If your not a heavy weight it will hold you if your carefull and stay clear of other people. This is a choice everyone must make for themselves, getting wet is no fun!

mngonefishing · « **Reply #6 on:** Nov 16, 2003, 01:05 PM »

I need at least 3-4 inches. any less for me and you have to leave all your gear at home or try and escape fate.

tight lines all

Burbot · « **Reply #7 on:** Nov 16, 2003, 01:32 PM »

4" minimum, otherwise it can be a guessing game of if you're going to fall in or not.

Cooley · « **Reply #8 on:** Nov 16, 2003, 02:44 PM »

Two inches of ice,but I have to be familiar with the
lake I'm fishing. [better to be safe than wet]
18 years and have not gone though yet.

fishin fool · « **Reply #9 on:** Nov 16, 2003, 03:50 PM »

I am with Cooley,on the familiar aspect. I was out last year on two inches of ice. My buddy and I tried not to stand too close to each other and we drilled the holes a little farther apart than usual. It can get a little nerve racking with that little of ice, but the fish kept us occupied. I feel safe with four inches.

BJ · « **Reply #10 on:** Nov 16, 2003, 04:07 PM »

4 inches does the trick for me. Enough that we can run to the flags and if we tumble we wont go through. But if I see 3 inches of ice early, I will just make sure that I dont run or fall or stand that close to Goatboy DTM!!!

HIMO · « **Reply #11 on:** Nov 16, 2003, 04:24 PM »

why's that BJ? is DTM a big boy?

FishDeepCreek · « **Reply #12 on:** Nov 16, 2003, 06:41 PM »

4 inches of ice here, I wont go out on it if its less. Seen a bunch of people out on 2 inches last year, and fishing near open water, thats flat out nuts!

nocash0000 · « **Reply #13 on:** Nov 16, 2003, 06:58 PM »

for me i say 3 to 4" i have to much invested in me and my gear.just try to be safe-wan't to hear what you guy's have to say later this winter.

BJ · « **Reply #14 on:** Nov 16, 2003, 07:21 PM »

I go about 212 and DTM goes about 240. Needless to say when its first ice,he leads the way!! Besides,it needs to be thick ice when you have the whole Goatboy heard and gear in one place.

panfishhead · « **Reply #15 on:** Nov 16, 2003, 08:26 PM »

You might find me fishing boat channels and shallow bays on 3" of ice, but it takes a solid 5" to make my fat @#$ feel comfortable fishing out on a deep water hump or main lake point!

TIGHT LINES >>>>>>>> panfishhead ............... // mark

eyedoktr · « **Reply #16 on:** Nov 17, 2003, 06:09 AM »

Three inches of new hard ice is fine. I used to feel comfortable driving a three wheeler on 4" of good new ice.Anything more is a bonus.

Bob_D · « **Reply #17 on:** Nov 17, 2003, 07:10 AM »

I usually need 3" or more, but I had to scratch that itch yesterday...1 1/2" of ice, but I was in 5' of water close to shore and the wife had the safety rope.

Lake Elmore, Vt. 11-16-03

The Wad · « **Reply #18 on:** Nov 17, 2003, 03:53 PM »

If it's good and cold, and little to now snow with clear ice, I'll venture out on 2 inches on familiar water, bust out the four wheeler on 6, truck on 12.

Trophy Hunter · « **Reply #19 on:** Nov 20, 2003, 11:27 AM »

3 inches and I'm out 5inches and I'm comfortable

UnderCoverBrother · « **Reply #20 on:** Nov 20, 2003, 02:13 PM »

2+ inches of clear ice! But I take along my duck boat just in case!
After taking my duckboat loaded with decoys over ice to get to open water I was surprised as to how much weight 2" of ice can support. Also bring your water-wings!HAHA!

8)

bushbunny · « **Reply #21 on:** Nov 21, 2003, 01:15 PM »

I wait for the commercial fishermen to take to the ice. They are usually a very impatient lot, as each day that they have to wait, it is a day's pay that they miss!!!! Once they are on the ice, usually with snowmobiles, I go out. With temps hovering around -15/-20 C. it won't be long before the big lakes are safe. The smaller ones are okay now, but I have not had the chance to go out. This weekend for sure, as the 6 yr. old grandaughter is anxious to try out some of the goodies that her gramps got for her over the summer & fall. We have a salvage fishery for stocked rainbows on a small lake just 20 minutes drive. Needless to say, I will be going there. Can't wait-smoked trout!!!

rgfixit · « **Reply #22 on:** Nov 21, 2003, 08:13 PM »

I look for a lot more ice under me than before I went through a couple years ago. I bought a Mustang Survival suit last year and it helped relieve some of the anxiety.

3" hard ice and I'm a happy guy!

RGFIXIT

seaweed01 · « **Reply #23 on:** Nov 22, 2003, 08:43 PM »

2-1/2" in shallow water - at least 3" in water over my head?

crappieloo · « **Reply #24 on:** Nov 22, 2003, 09:01 PM »

The thickness of the Ice doesn't have much to do with me going out on it, its all about conditions.
I have been out quite a few times on 1.5 and 2 inch Ice with no worrys and no problems. Every time that i fell through the thickness was 6 to 10 inches thick. One year a few years ago on honeoye i checked weather and Ice reports( over 6 inches of ice) and told my friend ''NO WAY I'm not going''
Anyway later that day all those on that ''thick'' ice had to be rescued cause it warmed up enough to break away and float downwind.

GNT · « **Reply #25 on:** Nov 24, 2003, 06:51 PM »

I feel safe with 4-5" of good clear ice. I always wear my Mustang Floater Jacket just incase. Better safe than sorry.

Butthead · « **Reply #26 on:** Nov 24, 2003, 08:40 PM »

Last year was my first year of really getting into ice fishing, and it can get a little spooky out on the ice. I'm hoping we'll make some ice this week. You won't see me until there is 4-5 inches of solid ice.

Minim · « **Reply #27 on:** Nov 24, 2003, 10:29 PM »

This guy thought 5 inches was enough to drive on.

a-net · « **Reply #28 on:** Nov 27, 2003, 05:08 AM »

As my dad told me NEVER be the bigest person on the lake. When in dought I look to see if the people out there are larger than me.True blue is the rule. a-net

Flash_King · « **Reply #29 on:** Nov 27, 2003, 05:47 AM »

Used to venture out on 2'' of clear black ice on shallow bays,but it seems that for every 10 years of age you add another 1" to feel secure.Jeeze - If I keep this up I will have to sit at home all winter.

Good Luck - Good Fishing

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Author Topic: How much ice do you need before you go out? (Read 10367 times)

mngonefishing

Burbot

panfishhead

The Wad

UnderCoverBrother

Butthead

Minim