11-01-2019, 06:38 PM
Thought we might start a general ice challenge chit-chat post where we can put ice conditions and discuss techniques and lessons learned, maybe good deals on equipment and etc...
I'll start off with one on spud bars, I've been told that for ice to be safe it should take at least two good hits with the spud bar to break through, however, you need to gage your strength, spud bar penetration and etc... But for early ice it's a great idea to have a spud bar and to learn what safe ice is, this way you can check ice on the fly as you move out onto newly frozen ponds... I found today that my spud bar was striking water in one hit, but it didn't break all the way through. After I broke the hole out I checked and found the ice thickness at 1.75" approximately, it was less than 2" but it kind of held me up, at least I didn't break through, even though the ice was cracking and sagging under my weight so the water would run out of the hole and make a puddle around where I stood. Now I know this pond is around knee deep or I wouldn't have been on that thin of ice, but I thought it was interesting that the ice would hold my weight. Last year I started fishing 2.75 to 3" good black ice and it was spooky, but held me up. So I think if ice is good solid ice I think I'll fish 3" ice again, but I'm always prepared to self rescue with spikes and flotation. One of the biggest hazards of fishing thin ice is how in consistent the thickness can be, There are lots of factors that cause the ice to get thinner in some areas and if your margin of safety is already really low, then it's very likely you may go swimming, so don't let me talk anyone into going onto the ice too soon, because it is life and death for sure if you go through and can't get out, or get too cold before you can get to safety... Today there was spot where the muskrats actively move in and out of their den and I didn't know it was there, so as I stepped on that spot my foot went through the ice right away, now luckily it was right at the shore so I got off without falling through, but it points out some of the hazards that can be anywhere in the ice, and especially during thin ice seasons.. Have fun be safe and always check your ice conditions they can vary from hour to hour... Later Jeff
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I'll start off with one on spud bars, I've been told that for ice to be safe it should take at least two good hits with the spud bar to break through, however, you need to gage your strength, spud bar penetration and etc... But for early ice it's a great idea to have a spud bar and to learn what safe ice is, this way you can check ice on the fly as you move out onto newly frozen ponds... I found today that my spud bar was striking water in one hit, but it didn't break all the way through. After I broke the hole out I checked and found the ice thickness at 1.75" approximately, it was less than 2" but it kind of held me up, at least I didn't break through, even though the ice was cracking and sagging under my weight so the water would run out of the hole and make a puddle around where I stood. Now I know this pond is around knee deep or I wouldn't have been on that thin of ice, but I thought it was interesting that the ice would hold my weight. Last year I started fishing 2.75 to 3" good black ice and it was spooky, but held me up. So I think if ice is good solid ice I think I'll fish 3" ice again, but I'm always prepared to self rescue with spikes and flotation. One of the biggest hazards of fishing thin ice is how in consistent the thickness can be, There are lots of factors that cause the ice to get thinner in some areas and if your margin of safety is already really low, then it's very likely you may go swimming, so don't let me talk anyone into going onto the ice too soon, because it is life and death for sure if you go through and can't get out, or get too cold before you can get to safety... Today there was spot where the muskrats actively move in and out of their den and I didn't know it was there, so as I stepped on that spot my foot went through the ice right away, now luckily it was right at the shore so I got off without falling through, but it points out some of the hazards that can be anywhere in the ice, and especially during thin ice seasons.. Have fun be safe and always check your ice conditions they can vary from hour to hour... Later Jeff
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