Just wondering what kind of set ups everyone is using for different types of fishing. I've only went three seasons in my life. I use round reels and line counter reels so I can put bait at the flasher depth. I always prep and test reels by putting them in the freezer overnight to make sure they will perform in the cold. Just looking to see if there are guys with more experience for pointers.
My only experience with ice is the kind I put in my bourbon..... ::) Bill
;D That's hilarious. I've done that tip. ;D
Same here Bill. Went to el Pescador's house for a shot of bourbon and to watch the super moon rise. Both the bourbon and the moon were spectacular. Jim Beam Black label. Wayne knows how to live. Dominick
I have alot of ice fishing experience... crappies, walleye, sauger, perch, northernd, muzkies, and whitefish. I used small rods, and ultralite spinners with cold water line... and also tip ups. Also did some spearfishing (BTW check out the spearfishing show on Netflix if you get a chance).
John
Thanks John will check that out.
John I wanted to know your personal preference on tip ups. Which brands and styles did you prefer?
I wasn't all the picky.. used old school wood ones, up to the newer models that cover the holes entirely. I think I liked the frabill models.. if memory serves me correctly. I have been in Hawaii fir quite some years now, but do miss the ice fishing game from time-to-time.
John
I only own 3 tip ups. Two HT and an old Beaver Dam. The newer HT's seemed cheaply made with plastic spools and liked to get stiff when reeling in. The old beaver dam is like a Penn or ambassadeur reel, tough as they come and built simple. I'm interested in looking into the ones that cover the hole. I get annoyed de-slushing.
I do some ice fishing. The last few years, I've really been getting more into it.
I got most of my gear on craigslist. I bought two fenwick ice rods and paired them with Penn battle 1000 and 2000 sized spinners. They have some light powerpro line. I also got a few ice rods in a trade from a guy. They are custom built. Haven't tested them out yet.
I use a big buddy propane heater. Eskimo ice shelter, jet sled, and a drill auger. Got all of that stuff on craigslist in trades or on Ebay.
I have three old school wooden tip ups. I rebuilt them all. Spooled up some 30lb dacron and but some mono heads on top.
This year I want to try a jaw jacker setup. I might try and build my own. Seems like a simple design. I'm thinking some PVC pipe and some downrigger clips.
I have done it in the past but the ice hasn't been strong enough for me. I am somewhat gun shy about walking on ice after breaking through twice when I was trapping.
Quote from: Dominick on November 16, 2016, 07:13:48 PM
Same here Bill. Went to el Pescador's house for a shot of bourbon and to watch the super moon rise. Both the bourbon and the moon were spectacular. Jim Beam Black label. Wayne knows how to live. Dominick
Hey Dominick...that Jim Beam Black is my favorite bourbon. Try Elijah Craig...it's mighty fine too. ;)
Every year they try to drag me out on the ice, but I'm 6'6" and 300lbs., I ain't built for walkin' on no ice! ;D
Thanks for a little ice fishin' speak Indyfisher...hoping later you can post some catches...and good luck out on the ice! 8)
Thinner ice = more bourbon ;D The way the weather has been they might not make a big enough bottle to even try.
Quote from: Dominick on November 16, 2016, 07:13:48 PM
Same here Bill. Went to el Pescador's house for a shot of bourbon and to watch the super moon rise. Both the bourbon and the moon were spectacular. Jim Beam Black label. Wayne knows how to live. Dominick
A SHOT Sir??
It was more of a SLUG!
Always enjoyable having a festive drink with a dear friend or family member!
I did one ice fishing trip to Mille Lacs Lake near Brainard, MN in Feb. 2012. I'll post photos this weekend, Damn Interesting Weekend to say the least.
Wayne
I hear Mille Lacs is an awesome place Wayne. Would love to make a trip there.
I have fished Mille Lacs extensively. It has had its ups and downs, but is rightly known as "The Walleye Factory". The lake is boardered by resorts which all open and maintain ice roads, and villages of ice fishing houses in the winter. I always had my best luck using a snowmachine and portable house to get over the ridges, and out by yourself. Some of the surfounding lakes have good tip-up fishing for small Northerns, or spearfishing for the big gals. MN is the land of 10,000 lakes, giving the angler plenty of choices.
My favorite Ice Fishing was for Walleye and Sauger on Lake of The Woods. Red Lake Walleye, and Perch fishing has gotten much better in recent years, and Leach can be good as well.
Also, the Eel Pout festival in Bemiji is a an annual MN festival celebrating the local heritage, and the sport of ice fishing. Prizes, games, and much crazy tomfoolery abound. Google it for a laugh.
I lived on Lake Minnetonka, so that is where I fished the most. I know every but of structure by heart.
I have always wanted to fish Devil's Lake, ND for monster perch, and Walleye through the ice. There are several local resorts that cater to the out-of-state traveling angler. They can set you up with as much or as little gear as you need. They even have a group Perch Express train ride from the twin cities to the lake if you don't have wheels.
Now days, the use of good electronics, and cameras really helps find the fish. The trick is how to get the cold/sluggish devils to bite.
John thanks for all the advice and locations. Might see a change of scenery for my winter escapades coming soon. I've always went to Michigan for my ice fishing because I have a friend that lives in northern Detroit. I'm also licensed there every year for fishing different species every trip. Been to St Claire and a few other smaller lakes on ice. We did decent for perch and northern.
I need to find the whitefish spot. Haven't been to lucky so far.
I do a lot of ice fishing, for Northern Pike and various salt water fish, but I live in Norway so I don't know if it's of any interest that I post photos of various rigs etc?
Any advice is well taken Jon, from anyone. I'm a novice at the ice so any tips will be treasured. ;)
Quote from: Jon_Kol on November 18, 2016, 02:57:32 PM
I do a lot of ice fishing, for Northern Pike and various salt water fish, but I live in Norway so I don't know if it's of any interest that I post photos of various rigs etc?
Jon, post the photos. If the Norwegian fish will hit a lure we can try it out on American fish. Dominick
I was thinking the exact same Dominick. ;)
Love to get out on the ice. Got my granddaughter into it. I know some ice fishermen are very picky on the tackle they use but not me. I've got a number of ice fishing rods and some I've made from old rods. Any reel will do the trick along with any left over fishing line. Have a few homemade tip ups too. Never had any issues.
One little trick that I can pass along is to attach a plastic zip tie to the end of the rod. Fasten it along the end of the rod so the square end sticks out a few inches over the eye at the end of the rod. Cut a small 'V' in the square pull through end so you can lay your line over it. When you set the hook your line just falls off the zip tie. You can pick the size of the zip tie to fit the weight of your lure. It is absolutely perfect for detecting the light bites. Better than springs and other less sturdy methods. I'll post a picture later.
Here's a pic of what I do for the light biters. It really does work great.
Sorry for the pic. The light in my garage tonight is not good for my playbook camera but you will get the idea.
That's a good idea. I used to use porcupine quills as floats, then switched to these modern slim balsa fliats for light biters on the live bait. The soft tip rods work good for light jigs, but heavy jigs need a stiffer rod. Guess detecting the bite while jigging is less of an issue though.
John
Ice fishing? Man, I don't need that as an excuse to drink beer!
That is an awesome homemade alternative to some expensive spring bobbers. Thanks for the info Larry. I was using a rubber grommet with titanium leader wire with a broken tip as a spring bobber. You just gave me a weekend project. Appreciate your advice.
Quote from: MarkT on November 19, 2016, 02:48:15 AM
Ice fishing? Man, I don't need that as an excuse to drink beer!
You have to drink something a little harder to keep your inside warm. ;D
Quote from: MarkT on November 19, 2016, 02:48:15 AM
Ice fishing? Man, I don't need that as an excuse to drink beer!
Me neither but I would rather have cold toes than be sea sick :D
There is a show on Netflix called The Frozen Chosen about spearfishing for sturgeon....was pretty interesting....kind of like precision bombing with a spear....there are some really big fish in those lakes.....Bill
Quote from: TARFU on November 19, 2016, 09:52:22 PM
There is a show on Netflix called The Frozen Chosen about spearfishing for sturgeon....was pretty interesting....kind of like precision bombing with a spear....there are some really big fish in those lakes.....Bill
That's the one I mentioned above.
You guys are making me miss the ice.
Guess, I'm stuck chasing tuna and marlin here in Hawaii.
Lunker Larry, love the photo of you & your pretty little companion, sweet, reminds me of the time I took my grandaughter crabing with drop nets for the first time, we get into the middle of the estuary, and she wants to steer the 12 foot dingy with 15HP motor, anyway she raps the throttle right on, frightens herself, lets go of the handle, the momentum throes me into the back corner of the boat, the boat is wissing around & around, with the momentum it took me some time to get up & control the motor, anyway we caught our quoter of blue swimmer crabs, there is now sweeter meat than a blue swimmer crabs, once you master sectioning them, they start moving in about now, looking forward to a good season, have some rocklobster pots in the water, at the moment, the whites start running anytime now, also the demersible fishing, opens Dec 16 sure am going to be full on ay,cheers donnyboat.
You guys are making me miss the ice.
Guess, I'm stuck chasing tuna and marlin here in Hawaii.
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That's how I feel about not being able to fish in the salt for my third year. ;)
There are a few videos of ice fishing the last couple of days on on my old stomping grounds Lake Mile Lacs, and Lake Independence, MN on this facebook page...
https://m.facebook.com/steve.pennaz?fref=nf
For those that are interested.
Steve is a friend of a friend.
John
Bay of Quinte off the northeast side of Lake Ontario in the mid 90's
Quinte is a great fishery. Fished it quite a bit.10 to 13lbs is common in the late fall.
Quote from: Lunker Larry on January 03, 2017, 03:51:44 PM
Quinte is a great fishery. Fished it quite a bit.10 to 13lbs is common in the late fall.
Yes, A couple of my buddies used to go every November. I went in January and the ice was at least 2 feet thick. I heard that the Walleye fishing tailed off after that for a couple of years but is back again. Never made it back myself. Was awesome setting the hook on those small rads. Used a gold 1oz Kastmaster doctored up with dark red nail paint.