What's your question???

[Seamonkey84]

24 hours a day. No cover charge... Next question 

We are independently funded and not a government body. So no. Next question...

Actually have something I’ve been doing some reading about, your opinion could help lol
Do you use quick strike rigs and what types do you prefer?

[skifisher]

With all the recalls on vehicles, lettuce, and meat, has there EVER been a recall on beer or donuts?

[brokefarmer]

Oh wise one, can you please explain the joys of icefishing to mu wife.  She doesn't listen to me.

[esox_xtm]

With all the recalls on vehicles, lettuce, and meat, has there EVER been a recall on beer or donuts?

Don't know why I didn't think of that. Effective immediately: Recall for ALL beer and doughnuts. Please send to Ice Fishing Hotline for proper disposal.

While we're at it may as well include good tequila (Cuervo is excluded from the recall) and peanuts 

Next question...

[esox_xtm]

Oh wise one, can you please explain the joys of icefishing to mu wife.  She doesn't listen to me.

This is a hotline. We only answer questions. The answer to your question is no; splainin' anything is out of our jurisdiction unless it is in answer to a question.

Hmmm, kinda sounds like Jeopardy doesn't it? I'll take tip-up fishing for $500 Alex. 

Next question...

[A man called horse]

My wife instantly losses 40# when she's on the ice and hears it crack. How can we cash in on this diet?

[esox_xtm]

My wife instantly losses 40# when she's on the ice and has it crack. How can we cash in on this diet?

I'm not getting it. Gonna hafta 'splain it better than that before you can make anything more than a puzzled look in my book.

Next question... <wow  >

[esox_xtm]

Actually have something I’ve been doing some reading about, your opinion could help lol
Do you use quick strike rigs and what types do you prefer?

Thanks for holding, your call is important and is being answered at our convenience.

Almost missed this. After all, it's a real question 

Yes, Ice Fishing Hotline uses Q/S rigs all the time on larger live and all dead baits. Our preference is for the "classic" style with a second adjustable hook threaded on the same leader as the fixed hook. A pair of #10s for live bait and #6s for deads.





This rig has proven plenty effective covering deads baits up to 15". There is no advantage in the "yoke" style rigs unless you can't sleep because your bait won't hang perfectly horizontal. Getting into "horizontal rigging" whole 'nother answer to a different question so we digress. See below for hook placement:




Still like smaller treble hooks for positive hookups plus they're easy to find. I've done the Partridge Ryder hooks but was not able to see an advantage in them other than having something exotic on the end of our leader. We hookup well over 95% of the time if the fish is taking line.

Thanks for calling Ice Fishing Hotline. Next question...

[Huntindave]

I have question concerning your "hotline".  How can it be a "hotline" if it concerns ice fishing? Should it not be a "cold-line?  If I use a "hotline", is there any danger of it melting into the ice?  Can one lay a loop of "hotline" onto the surface of the ice, melting a hole thru the ice, thereby eliminating the need for an auger? Am I limited to one question per entry?

PS; seeing as how Hotline is independently funded, Do you accept donations?

[esox_xtm]

Wow! You must really love ice fishing. You have many questions... Lessee, in the order of their appearance:

1.) It is a "hotline" by definition: "A hotline is a point-to-point communications link in which a call is automatically directed to the preselected destination without any additional action by the user" I am the hotline informant, you didn't have to go through anyone else to get to me hence...

2.) No, the cold line belongs down the hole with bait at the business end.

3.) Only if you ask 20 or more questions in one call and one of them is "Is it bigger than a bread box?"

4.) See the answer to Question #3 above.

5.) Apparently so...

Thanks for calling Ice Fishing Hotline. Next question...

And Merry Christmas! 

[Seamonkey84]

Thanks for holding, your call is important and is being answered at our convenience.

Almost missed this. After all, it's a real question 

Yes, Ice Fishing Hotline uses Q/S rigs all the time on larger live and all dead baits. Our preference is for the "classic" style with a second adjustable hook threaded on the same leader as the fixed hook. A pair of #10s for live bait and #6s for deads.





Thanks for calling Ice Fishing Hotline. Next question...

Thank you. I thought I was getting completely ignored lol. So tie them just like I do my sliding bait rigs for trolling, but with with two trebles.
 I thread the hook onto the leader and  then use another piece of fluoro to tie a nail knot around the hook shank and leader. Would 10lb fluoro be enough? I couldn’t do that many wraps with 40lb lol.

[hays47]

Sir-- I seriously question the usefulness and accuracy of the IFH. When the question of milking perch was posted early on. In a solemn search of knowledge of this age old question. I waded through all seven pages in a fury. Only to find out that you neglected ( and others ) to mention . The most critical need in this delicate operation. An awful short stool.

I rest my case. Perhaps I should have posted this under  COIFH . Constantly Opining Ice Fishing Hotline yeah or nay.

[esox_xtm]

WARNING: Serious answer ahead!

@seamonkey84: No reason a lashing with fluoro wouldn't work. Even with 10# it's probably stronger than the heat shrink but certainly not faster. Your choice...

Next question.

[esox_xtm]

Sir-- I seriously question the usefulness and accuracy of the IFH. When the question of milking perch was posted early on. In a solemn search of knowledge of this age old question. I waded through all seven pages in a fury. Only to find out that you neglected ( and others ) to mention . The most critical need in this delicate operation. An awful short stool.

I rest my case. Perhaps I should have posted this under  COIFH . Constantly Opining Ice Fishing Hotline yeah or nay.

Thanks for calling Ice Fishing Hotline! Merry Christmas 

Hotline has noted your question even though we couldn't discern an actual question in what you wrote. Time wading the body of knowledge here is not wasted as the wealth cannot be found elsewhere.

As far as the perch milking operation, being gentle is still the critical part. Don't forget what yer pullin' on! To your observation on that: When we put out the "Help Wanted" again may we call you 

Next question...

[esox_xtm]

Is Mike McCarthy the most gutless play caller in the NFL?

Not just yet. Next question.

After further review the ruling on the forum has been overturned.

Next question...

[Kobey]

Why do they sell Batman shampoo but they don't have Conditioner Gordon?

[Huntindave]

 To your observation on that: When we put out the "Help Wanted" again may we call you 

Next question...

Just another observation from life in general.  When seeking "hired help"  Offering a decent "wage" usually results in better "hired help".  ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, just sayin,,,

PS; Merry Christmas 

[esox_xtm]

Why do they sell Batman shampoo but they don't have Conditioner Gordon?

Because whenever I find a product I like they discontinue it and the price for remaining stock gets stupid. That said, if you ever come across this:



I'll pay $500 for each factory sealed bottle and purchase all the remaining stock. Works wonders for my unruly mane.

Next question...

[esox_xtm]

Just another observation from life in general.  When seeking "hired help"  Offering a decent "wage" usually results in better "hired help".  ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, just sayin,,,

PS; Merry Christmas 

Merry Christmas from the Hotline and thanks for calling!

Since this is an independently funded public service anyone employed by Ice Fishing Hotline works for peanuts. We also provide tequila on the holidays. If you're really good you might get a fine cigar for your annual bonus.

Next time you call the Hotline please have a question Can't you see we're busy?

[ActiveTrapChecker]

Yes esox, I am aware that the last post was over 120 days ago...

Would farmers rely on the accuracy of an ice fishermen's almanac if one existed?

[esox_xtm]

Yes esox, I am aware that the last post was over 120 days ago...

Would farmers rely on the accuracy of an ice fishermen's almanac if one existed?

Only if they were going fishing.

Next question...

Thanks resurrecting the zombie ATC! 

[Light liner]

When I rent a movie in the beginning theres a notice that says "this movie has been modified to fit your television"
My question is, how do they know what size my TV is?

[esox_xtm]

When I rent a movie in the beginning theres a notice that says "this movie has been modified to fit your television"
My question is, how do they know what size my TV is?

They just know. Creepy isn't it? Think of what else they know about you (and your TV) or other things. Big Brother is alive and well! And you thought no one would ever know you were renting that stuff.

Seriously, movies are made for a screen with a different aspect ratio (picture width to height) than most TVs. The movies are modified to fit common TV ratios for the after theater market. If you haven't adjusted setting on your TV and the aspect ratio is in the default/standard mode you will see movies as they have been broadcast or, in your case, as they have been transferred to tape/disc.

Don't ask me how I know these things. I just do (no help from Google).

Next question...

[hays47]

Seriously now Darwin based based his theory of evolution on the premise that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny. Laymen often use the other term biogenetic law of embryological  parallelism .

My question to the  hot line. Humans being so far up the evolutionary scale as compared to the lowly fish. Why are humans constantly outwitted by such a lowly creature ?

By the way Darwin was wrong.

[esox_xtm]

Tryin' to drag me into the deep end of the pool here hays. Bottom line here is if Darwin was wrong, we can assume that your actual question is invalid as it is based on the premise that he was correct. I know, that's the cheap way out. Lemme take a swing.

Regardless of our position on the "evolutionary scale" being able to understand an "alien" life form and "outwit" them in their own element seems to us a losing proposition. Think of it. Not only are these beings far from human but reside in an environment that we can only hope to imagine. Sure, we think we understand but c'mon. There's really no way. Our only weapons are time on the water and the ability to make correlations between things that happen or we observe and success in angling. That's it, that's our greatest hope.

Short answer: Got a wife or a girlfriend? They live in your world. Right in front of you. How many of those encounters do you win? Hmmm? 

[hays47]

Touche  ! sir you have won the field. . As to the female side of things. While I was in the dating app. I do not ever remember being wrong. Once I loaded the marriage app. I do not remember ever being right.

[missoulafish]

😂😂😂

[esox_xtm]

As to the female side of things. While I was in the dating app. I do not ever remember being wrong. Once I loaded the marriage app. I do not remember ever being right.

Just like a carp on a doughball... 

[SirCranksalot]

a mare mundane question---why is Rhode called an Island when it isn't??

[esox_xtm]

a mare mundane question---why is Rhode called an Island when it isn't??

Rhode Islanders are very forward thinkers. As global warming progresses it will become an island and they just wanted to be prepared.

Next question.