Have you learned anything new this year???

[muskiesteve]

I was just thinking about what I learned this year about ice fishing....
The main thing that I learned is to LEARN the lake that you fish really well. Don't judge a lake by the first time out or even the second time out.
MOVE MOVE MOVE!!! I stayed with basically 1 lake and learned this lake. I thought this lake was no good.
Actually this lake is VERY good. The past few times out there I now have done excellent!
I just wonder if these spots will work for me in the spring....
Steve

[SLABSLAMMER]

YES!!

[summit-viper]

learned i should have gotten a vexilar a long time ago!!!!!!!

[Retired-UAW]

I was just thinking about what I learned this year about ice fishing....
The main thing that I learned is to LEARN the lake that you fish really well. Don't judge a lake by the first time out or even the second time out.
MOVE MOVE MOVE!!! I stayed with basically 1 lake and learned this lake. I thought this lake was no good.
Actually this lake is VERY good. The past few times out there I now have done excellent!
I just wonder if these spots will work for me in the spring....
Steve

Where would they go?     They should still be in that area.  8)   JMO.

[rico]

I was just thinking about what I learned this year about ice fishing....
The main thing that I learned is to LEARN the lake that you fish really well. Don't judge a lake by the first time out or even the second time out.
MOVE MOVE MOVE!!! I stayed with basically 1 lake and learned this lake. I thought this lake was no good.
Actually this lake is VERY good. The past few times out there I now have done excellent!
I just wonder if these spots will work for me in the spring....
Steve

Good post Steve......to me the biggest difference between soft water fishing and hard water fishing is the area you can cover.  When in a boat you can go from point A to point B in a matter of minutes and fish everywhere in between.  Not as easy on the ice and sure alot more time consuming.

[walkerd]

yes I did.....I cant catch fish

[Raquettedacker]

I learned how to use a flasher and Hali..

[chumslick]

learned i should have gotten a vexilar a long time ago!!!!!!!

Learned how valuble a Vex really is. Mine was broke and didn't really have the money to send it in and didn't do nearly as well.

[Flattop]

Learned how much more fun it is when you have electronics to help you.

Joe

[countryboy]

yup definitely shouldve gotten a marcum a while ago. also learned to get out of my shanty more and move around not wait for em to come back around.

[Jigmup]

I'm a pro at drilling holes....does that count

[Fishslayer81]

I'm a pro at drilling holes....does that count

me too lol! I spent more time drilling ice than fishing!!

[Fish_Tko]

its tough to catch a bucket full of perch in Indiana.

[mbluka]

Should maybe start going to northern Manitoba like I do in soft water season and get my fill in 2 weeks instead of 3 months. I like catchin more than fishin !!!!!

[Surly]

That you guys on shanty are A#1 thanks for all the info and nice to meet some of ya on the ice looking forward to next year!!

[crappie66]

Things learned this year:

* I need a new flasher, my Vex was made in 1999 and is a POS
* I need a gas auger, been drilling through 16+ inches since mid January
* I need a 4 wheeler, long hikes dragging the Scout through deep snow is miserable
* Fish shallower water when the fish aren't where they are supposed to be
* Be extra cautious to not let the unskilled Polish and Russians see you catch and bucket a fish
* I don't need to buy new gear every year, only bought line and 2 jigs this year, including bait I only spent ~$30  (excluding gas/parking)
* I hate the idea of having to pay to park, 6000+ acres of public water on the chain, little to no public access, parking $5 just about everywhere
* I really miss my NE Indiana hot spots, although I do alright here, I produced more fish back there, free parking, shorter walks, more options

Not fishing related, but deep thoughts while fishing and come to realize and learn a few things, unemployment sucks and no more loyalty to employers when things get tough, loyalty doesn't pay very well

[hounds]

1.  I need a Fish Finder
2. Jig Jig Jig......NO Fish.......Move
3. Getting a Power Auger
4. Need Artic Armour................ .Just to be safe
5.  Where to wear my picks........... on my neck
6.  Need boots for the slush, mine not so good
7.  Enjoyed this site and learned a lot

[river_scum]

i learned you can get a fish trap in the back of a Chrysler concord.


just remove the seat.

[crappie66]

i learned you can get a fish trap in the back of a Chrysler concord.

just remove the seat.

Good thinking, better gas mileage than a big SUV.

Take out the front seat, get some tire chains, and cut a hole in the floor then you won't need the Fish Trap, drive right to the spot.

[Retired-UAW]

i learned you can get a fish trap in the back of a Chrysler concord.
(Image removed from quote.)

just remove the seat.

I CAN'T STOP LAUGHING WHEN I SEE THIS. 

[bubbagill]

1.  sight fishing is awesome.
2.  amish and the likes can kill a fishing hole in a matter of hours not days.
3.  horizontal jigs are more productive
4.  my seat in my clam scout is too small for my big arse
5.  cell phones dont float
6.  fish shallow even if you have second thoughts just try it
7.  move twice as often as i want to
8.  cambells soup with the pull tab is very handy to heat up on a lantern hot lunch is a plus
9.  beer freezes reel fast
10.  fishing is way better with friends

[Surly]

1.  sight fishing is awesome.
2.  amish and the likes can kill a fishing hole in a matter of hours not days.
3.  horizontal jigs are more productive
4.  my seat in my clam scout is too small for my big arse
5.  cell phones dont float
6.  fish shallow even if you have second thoughts just try it
7.  move twice as often as i want to
8.  cambells soup with the pull tab is very handy to heat up on a lantern hot lunch is a plus
9.  beer freezes reel fast
10.  fishing is way better with friends

That sums it up could not have said it better myself if I tried

[hounds]

Gonna have to remember the campbells with the pull tab that sounds good !!!!!!  I don't mind eating wherever I'm at..................An ybody ever found a Chicken Lemon Rice soup mix anywhere ?  Thats my personal favorite !!!!!

[dutch3376]

Learned there was a pretty neat site about ice fishing on the internet, full of information fromall over the country. 

[Junior88]

I learned that taking a buddy out and watching him ice his first walleye is almost as fun as catching one yourself.

[slabgill]

Yeah not to waste anymore time on wawasee!!!! Learned that i have to many rods and need to get rid of some...learned that I should try different lakes more often...having fun out on the ice with friends and relatives.. and most important of all that life is to short to worry about stupid little things and worry about what means the most to me in my life....MY FAMILY!!!

[high_flags]

       I learned you can catch Walleye through the ice in the middle of the day when it's bright and sunny out.  OR  was that just luck.

[SkeeterJeff]

       I learned you can catch Walleye through the ice in the middle of the day when it's bright and sunny out.  OR  was that just luck.

Yep, I caught my first keeper walleye (18.25") through the ice (not overall) at 12:00 noon on Maxi last month.

-Jeff

[Moose416]

1. Camera's are the only way in shallow water.
2. Addictions can be fun !!!!!
3. Take the safety gear ALWAYS.
4. Warm and DRY clothes in the truck are nice 
5. Furry critters do come up ice holes in the dark !!!!!!
6. Clam's back door does not open fast enough !!!!!
7. Hope and Change does not work.
8. Fishing is like a box of chocolates....you never know what you're gonna get.
9. All the shores look the same in the dark...
10. NEVER lite a lantern in the garage that a neighbor gives ya !!!

[crappie66]

7. Hope and Change does not work.

The best one yet.  Love it.