Ice Fishing The Old Fashioned Way - Part 2

[mono_mono]

Man, these forums can do it to a guy. About a month ago I ran a post about doing it without flashers ect ect ect. They way gramps did it. I was that guy......

Today I own a brand new NILS auger and am looking at a UPS tracking # for a brand new Vexilar FL-8se Genz Pack that should arrive today. I also bought a brand new Clam shelter at Gander Mountain (It broke already, another topic for another day)

I can't wait to play with the vex and the NILS is a game changer FLAT OUT! As an avid snowmobiler...with no snow....the ice fishing virus that always lived deep inside of me is in full swing. I forgot how much I love it and do not feel one bit bad for sinking just over $500 for my three new products. A big thanks to the guys here who advised me that yeah it's fun the old way but give the new way a try. You might just like it.....

[Roccus]

I can relate...I started ice fishing in 1960 I used an axe to cut my holes...a pasta strainer to clear the chips and a hank of tarred cod line with a section of cat gut for a leader...a length of willow completed my set ..layers of news of news paper lined my clothes and boots served as added insulation from the cold. ..now.. a 7 thousand dollar 4 wheeler takes me to my spot...I have a choice of 3 different power augers or 2 manual...my tip ups are still  home made. .but are much more refined. ..a $400 ice fishing suit protects me from the cold and floats in the unlikely situation that I fall in. Mean while while  I wait for a bite I can sit in the heated comfort of a spacious flip over lce shack and watch the flasher fish activities while jig or sip fresh brewed coffee. ..this is one instance I don't miss the old days.

[Chute82]

This is old school

[rivereddy]

I live in central Indiana and at this latitude it's always a crap shoot as to how much ice we will have.
I have been on the ice as early as late November, as late as mid-March.  Other years, I never get to
take the bucket down from the shelf as there is no ice.  In a typical year, we get about 5 weeks of
good ice.  As a result I'm a "bucketeer" with one tip-up and about a dozen rods. Made 3 trips this
year and got a bunch of gills each time. 

I'd hate to think of how much stuff I'd have if I lived 100 miles north of here.

fish on,

rivereddy

[yoopermjm]

Right you are mono, these forums are costly! But the beauty of them is that when you spend your hard earned cash, you get the best stuff. I have a hand nils that makes me leave my jiffy gas powered home most of the time that I learned about here. I have the amazing polar bird portable that has amazed me with its ability to keep me warm in really terrible weather. Costly! But great additions to our fishing and I'm glad I have them.

[gearheart]

I started out the "old fashioned way". A friend had a shanty with a wood stove in it. Four of us would go out. One person started the fire and the others put out set lines on willow jags. We didn't even have tip ups. When we were done with the set up we sat inside and got down to drinking. Sometimes we even caught some fish.
Would I do that again? No. I can find more comfortable venues to get drunk in. When Lowrance came out with the fish low-k-tor, the game changed.  Heathkit sold a similar device as a kit and I was quick to build one. That was about 45 years ago. It was a piece of crap compared to my now ancient Vex fl8-SLT, but is showed depth and it showed if a fish was present.  I could tell if I was actually fishing or just washing bait.  What an improvement that was. eventually I upgraded to my Vex FL8 and then I decided to get an Aqua Vue U/W camera.  What an eye opener that was. I could see fish inhale and eject my jig in real time and see that there had been absolutely no indication of this taking place at the rod end of the deal. I felt nothing. I saw not a twitch. The fish however had tasted and rejected my offering. I wish I had waited a few years to make this discovery since the new cameras are so much smaller and lighter. My camera sometimes stays home to save on weight, the flasher never.

[Rags777]

I must admit this forum is great for conversation, and really really bad on wallets  , almost everything that I own for ice fishing and use regularly can in some way be contributed to this site. If you only managed to spend $500 this season I think you doing alight , teach me your tricks wise one!

[mono_mono]

You guys are funny! Yeah, $500 not including bait, gas,  and my on and off girlfriend. Ill get in touch with her when the ice goes

[rivereddy]

I  must have bought the other Heathkit depthfinder.  I had a good time putting it together even used it a time or two.
I bought it probably in 1970 or so.  It's in the basement, but t still works...

fish on,

rivereddy

[MFDIRT13]

I keep telling my wife I ice fish cause it's cheap entertainment! Haha! Right!

[Chris338378]

Good luck with the new auger and Vexilar, I'll bet you'll be wondering why it took you so long to get them.  Nothing wrong with the old way but the new way is lots of fun to.

[buz23]

I think I've got about $1300 sunk into ice stuff, and maybe 5X that amount in surf fishing stuff (don't tell my wife).  I only surf fish 2-3 weeks a year, but the rods (I build my own, it's addictive) reels, and lures are $$$$ compared to ice stuff.  Also, I pay a near fortune to rent a place on MV to fish.

[mono_mono]

I love my new investments guys. Now what I was seeing the past few seasons makes sense......Guys running all over the place knocking holes with a NILS auger and a flasher. I used to set up camp and sit them out. Now I can chase! Good stuff!

[GourdneckGills]

Good luck with the vex! Youll start thinking to yourself "wow, how long have I been wasting my time fishing empty holes?" Itll change the while fishing game! Good luck!