12-16-2020, 05:54 PM
There is some good advice already on here. Here is my list for ice fishing......and the more you go, the more expensive it can get....
First and foremost is gear for you. Warm gear layered. Ski or snowboard pants, something to keep the water out when you kneel down. Gloves that are easily removed. And an absolute MUST is boots with a rubber foot and a LOT of insulation. "Waterproof" hiking boots often don't keep the water out after you've been standing in slush for a while. Poor boots will either end your day early or result in a miserable day if you stick it out.
Now that that is covered.....
As many have said, there are a LOT of options for jigs, lures, or baits. My go to is tube jigs or any of the small 'bug' jigs. Green, white, and glow.
One thing I found is much more important on ice than on a boat (unless you're targeting kokes on a boat) is a fishfinder. It doesn't have to be expensive, just make sure the screen has decent enough resolution to show your jig / lure. I used an old Eagle Ultra Classic for many years with great success. I now switched to a small 4" screen finder for portability. I have it set up in a small tackle box with a 700 mAh 12V battery that lasts the day and then some. You can find a used finder on KSL or facebook, or a new one that will do the job is usually just over $100. The reason I say this is so important is if you are 10' too high or low you could spend all day and catch nothing. I've had many times where I've seen them come in on the finder above or below my rig. I raise or lower it to the right depth, tease them a bit with the jig, and often bring in the fish.
I also agree with comments on getting ice poles and learn what a 'bite' looks like when ice fishing. Often you will just see your line start moving around where it goes into the water. If you don't see that and you aren't there to get the hookset you will never even know the fish was there. My first time on the ice we didn't realize that and we were out throwing a frisbee around waiting for a hit on our poles.
Finally, plan your gear based on how you are getting on the ice. If you are hand dragging everything, minimize the load to cut down on weight. If you have snowmobiles, pile it on.
My load I take out has gotten considerably larger with the snowmobiles. Now I just need to make use of them this year.
First and foremost is gear for you. Warm gear layered. Ski or snowboard pants, something to keep the water out when you kneel down. Gloves that are easily removed. And an absolute MUST is boots with a rubber foot and a LOT of insulation. "Waterproof" hiking boots often don't keep the water out after you've been standing in slush for a while. Poor boots will either end your day early or result in a miserable day if you stick it out.
Now that that is covered.....
As many have said, there are a LOT of options for jigs, lures, or baits. My go to is tube jigs or any of the small 'bug' jigs. Green, white, and glow.
One thing I found is much more important on ice than on a boat (unless you're targeting kokes on a boat) is a fishfinder. It doesn't have to be expensive, just make sure the screen has decent enough resolution to show your jig / lure. I used an old Eagle Ultra Classic for many years with great success. I now switched to a small 4" screen finder for portability. I have it set up in a small tackle box with a 700 mAh 12V battery that lasts the day and then some. You can find a used finder on KSL or facebook, or a new one that will do the job is usually just over $100. The reason I say this is so important is if you are 10' too high or low you could spend all day and catch nothing. I've had many times where I've seen them come in on the finder above or below my rig. I raise or lower it to the right depth, tease them a bit with the jig, and often bring in the fish.
I also agree with comments on getting ice poles and learn what a 'bite' looks like when ice fishing. Often you will just see your line start moving around where it goes into the water. If you don't see that and you aren't there to get the hookset you will never even know the fish was there. My first time on the ice we didn't realize that and we were out throwing a frisbee around waiting for a hit on our poles.
Finally, plan your gear based on how you are getting on the ice. If you are hand dragging everything, minimize the load to cut down on weight. If you have snowmobiles, pile it on.
My load I take out has gotten considerably larger with the snowmobiles. Now I just need to make use of them this year.