Spudding

[rslabinski]

Looking for everyone’s opinion on what is considered safe when spudding.  First season with a spud bar and not really sure what exactly I’m looking for. 

[hardwater diehard]

Lanyard ..each spud bar is different ..follow the safe ice chart for reference ..give it a good strike or two or three ..

Float suit ..life jacket ..ice pick and ice cleats ..are great tools for checking ice conditions first ice to last ice and unknown ice

[Dieseldog]

Good post hardwater diehard.

[pikemanEd]

With my spud bar I only need to hit it hard one time if it don't find water I'm good to go

[ship of fools]

I didn't watch the videos so this was probably on there but basically you need to learn how hard to hit the ice with your particular spud bar to know if's it solid. Some of the big heavier ones go through just from being dropped on the ice while some of the cheaper, lighter ones require a solid whack to go through. Practice with it and get a feel for it.

In addition to first ice they're a prerequisite for getting out onto any water that gets pressure cracks.

[tjb22]

Excellent response!

[filetandrelease]

 Spot on ship , I garaged of my heavy spud and got a lighter 1 do to a shoulder issue and had to learn how strikes ,for my comfort zone , this new one has a different sound to
  There are 2 things that don’t lie 1 is your spud and a Stanley tape measure 😉

[ship of fools]

Spot on ship , I garaged of my heavy spud and got a lighter 1 do to a shoulder issue and had to learn how strikes ,for my comfort zone , this new one has a different sound to
  There are 2 things that don’t lie 1 is your spud and a Stanley tape measure 😉

I use a Stanley Fat Max almost daily!  …….   I wish I used my spud every day 

[filetandrelease]

I use a Stanley Fat Max almost daily!  …….   I wish I used my spud every day 

Yes sir , I hear that

[Kierran]

Before an auger or electronics or set of tilts, invest in a quality spud bar. My Mille Lacs Ice Chisel is the most import piece of hardwater gear I own. I was amazed to see a guy on Saturday morning venturing out in the dark on 3” with no spud. Make the investment and use it often.

[rslabinski]

Thanks for the info everyone;  very helpful!  Just got a 52.5” steel ice chisel  by Cabelas for Christmas.  Will hopefully get it’s first use tomorrow morning in NW CT.  Hoping Winchester is still fishable!

[jebra]

Great timing on your post Hdwter. Looking forward to the videos.
Just got my first chisel after fishing many years without one. Haven’t used it yet but now I feel better about the investment.
Thanks! 

[Unclegillhunter]

You know lighter doesn’t mean cheaper. The spud bar I have been using for years cost me a six pack of old Milwaukee. Maybe weights six pounds. Wooden handle heavy steel head. Just learn to use what you have. I have read folks saying they go through all kinds of efforts to bust through the ice. Yep my spud is so heavy that all I have to do is raise it way above my head and slam it into the ice. Like I have said before opinions are like arm pits everyone has a couple. Main thing is to figure out what the difference types of ice feels like when your spud hits it. Like every thing else you need to learn to trust your tools!
Keep it safe! JDL

[3300]

https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=371329.0