FS Digest

Hi everyone,

I will be embarking on my first ice fishing trip at a buddies cottage in late January. I wanted to see what I should have or what I need to know.

I’ve been fishing for the better part of 30 years now.

Thanks!

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by Bonsee

FS Digest

Ok, done this a few times up in the eastern sierras, no shack, it was a hike in, spent all day there it was fun, went from cloudy cold morning in the 20s to sunny and 70 then 2" of snow, then sunny nearly 80, then Stormy with 4" of snow, then back to 70 with a steady temp decline until night. My hand and feet hurt at the end of the day, feet were just cold AF, but hands hurt a lot, hard to close them, took a few hours for them to stop hurting. I cant tie a line with gloves, I need to feel it. Kept taking rhem off a lot.

1. Auger for drilling holes. (Multiple holes!)

2. Ladle or another ice scooper to clear the hole, not your hands. Like a wok handle strainer. 2.1 something to stand on thats not ice!! Board, snow shoe, anything, keep boots off the ice. And a chair. 2.2 gloves with out fingertips or ones you can peel back. 2.3 layer clothes. Temps can fluctuate wildly. Plan for the coldest worst conditions.

3. Small ice rod, small ice reel or two. + tackle.

4. Hand warmer, disposable or zippo one. 1 lb propane tank with single burner stove. (Hand warm or cook)

5. Food and drinks.

The 2.x were not an after thought, it is all connected.

The first time was a blast. Super memorable. It was lower virgina lake, its a small lake, the fish kept swimming around the lake a circle, we could time when The bite was going to be back on. Why we were there all day, so much fun, so many fish, lots of release obviously.

Next trip, we barely made it through the ice, had to go into town and make an extension for the auger. 3rd trip on lake mary, 6' of ice. Not inches. Feet. Barely got through again. I bought a gas auger and a sled for this upcoming year. Im going to drag it out. The manual auger usually takes 5-30 mins per hole depending on depth.

Yeah, its that fun were upgrading. What started with me and one friend has expanded to like 10 of us.

Lemme link some pics. BRB

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by MarsOG13

FS Digest

This is exactly what I wanted to hear. Thank you for your great story.

We are thinking of buying a hut. What are your thoughts?

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by Bonsee

FS Digest

For us, a hut isnt an option, we have to hike in, the roads are closed going to the lake, its about 2+ miles on any given lake. Snow shoes are fairly cheap on amazon. I think I paid 35 for mine and 25ish for my kids a few years back, they need an upgrade, theyre all teens now.

If you can HUT it, it will keep you out of the weather, but also kinda takes away from being outdoors. So. I dunno. But then again, the weather hasnt ever been that bad. Each time we go in a little smarter and more prepared.

Im an active fisherman, never liked shore fishing, or boat fishing. I like to hike up and down the shores and banks, but ice fishing is a blast. My buddy is the same way, were busy bodies. But ice fishing works. Go figure.

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by MarsOG13

FS Digest

Water proof boots and bibs. Maybe something to kneel on depending on your knees. If you want to spend some $$ pick up a deeper portable sonar, they are great for hole hopping.

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by Amos_Moses

Mister twister Loc: Foxworth,Ms.

44 magnum with 2 speed loaders.

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

Just curious, want to see the rest of the responses.

Charlie H Loc: Greer, Arizona

Sun Glasses and Sunscreen.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

My advice, don't go. But don't listen to me.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

You can't go ice fishing without Peppermint snaps!

campesino

don't fall through the ice. brrr.

Bert Sweeney

The only thing I would add to the information you have been given ( great stuff ) is to think about safety first. I won’t walk on ice under 4 inches thick while most people say 3 inches is safe. I carry hand picks to get me out of the ice in the event I should fall through, I also have a length of good rope with me at all times. I hope I never have to use these items. Above all have fun.

Catfishmc Loc: Tallahassee, FL

Went ice fishing once. I had hand auger, ice rods, etc that were already mentioned. One guy already on the ice. We saw him pull a nice fish from the hole and add it to an already impressive catch. I drilled down thru about two feet of ice and sat there watching my rod tip- nothing. It was a smallish lake, but I moved a little closer to the guy, who was still catching nice trout. Two holes later and still no fish, I was close enough to him to talk, but he would only nod or mumble answers- very unfriendly. I finally walked over to him and saw I was using the same bait(worms), equipment,and everything that he used, but he was still catching fish. I hadn’t caught even one! I asked him twice what he was doing different from me, but he only mumbled something I didn’t understand. I said “ please, mister- I would really like to catch a few today”. He spit into his glove, looked at me and said “You have to keep your bait warm!”
I haven’t been ice fishing again yet.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

I think you have made a wise choice. But, then and again you don't get much of a choice in Tallahassee. Welcome to the Forum and thanks for putting you location down on the profile page.

john1470 Loc: Sandy Hook, CT

Warm boots, gloves, long johns, trooper type hat, snow mobile bib outfit including coat! Enjoy and be safe.