Ice fishing equipment

[Swimbait2009]

Hey all!

I am really looking forward to ice fishing this year, but have NO equipment. My roommate has an auger, and a couple poles, but I want my own poles and tackle. Any recommendations for a good starter "set"?

Thanks!

Seth

[mrfish1991]

One of my biggest suggestions is get a reel with a good drag. There are several good reels out there. I have a tica reel and im very happy with it, but I know that lots of the guys on here have Abu's and Shimano's in ice fishing sizes and they are happy with them. Depending on what kind of fishing you are going into (walleye, panfish, perch...ect) get a rod that matches the species, but at the same time can be used for other species. Im sure many of the guys on here can provide other suggestions. Also, get a good variety of tackle. Jigging spoons, small jigs, hooks, plastics, and i can not stress how nice the ice buster bobbers are.

Goodluck in your quest

~Mrfish

[Swimbait2009]

I suppose I should have mentioned that I live a block and a half from the St Croix in Stillwater, so I'll be out on the river quite a bit with the mixed bag of species out there. Any other ideas with that in mind?

Thanks for the info already!

[mrfish1991]

well tip ups might be a plus out on the river.

[Chode2235]

Yeah, I would get a tip up (beaver dams are my fav), and a good rod and reel. I would get two set ups to avoid retying all the time, and to allow for hole hopping and dead stick presentations.

There are lots of good choices but you can get a nice ML that can be used for panfish and light walleye duty. Thorne Bros. are spendy, but I love mine. People seem to really like the JM series, and I think the St. Croix ones are a good value. Be sure you have a spring bobber for panfish fishing!

As for tackle, a few jigging spoons from 1/16, 1/8 to 1/4 in size. I really like the Lindy frostee jigging spoons, and the Demon jigging spoons. Glow colors are a plus! Buck shot rattle spoons, and lindy flyers are great too.

I also love the custom jig and spin diamond jig and gill pills. The diamond jigs are great for deeper water presentations with plastics or larvae, and the gill pills are great for early season weed fishing. Genz bugs are good too. You want something small but heavy.

Dont overlook getting some plastics too. I love the finesse plastics from Custom Jig and Spin. Red and black are great colors.

A great investment to make is a good tackle box to keep your ice stuff in. I picked up a Rose Creek Ice Jig box last year and absolutely love it for keeping everything organized and accessible. You can get a lot in there too, so it can grow with you.

Another great accessory is a strikemaster bait puck. And be sure to get your own slush scoop.

Just starting out I would also get a sled, and a bucket with a lid on it. Put your gear in, and pull it out on the sled, and the bucket keeps all the odds and ends together (needle nose pliers, an extra pair of gloves, hand towel, etc), and also provides a place to sit as well. The Jet Sleds are pretty cheap, and have nice high walls to keep your stuff in. I got a nice cushioned cover for my bucket at the Gander mountain which made it much better to sit on, but anything will do.

Warm and waterproof clothing and boots are crucial too!

A flasher is the next level of investment, along with your own portable and auger. Take it slow, and have fun.

[walleyewild]

Tica and Shimano reels are very good for ice fishing, the northland combo's seem to be ok, I haven't used one yet but the price is right.

Best advice I can give is don't buy the cheapest rods and reels you can find, they won't last too long, buy the best rods and reels you can afford that way 15 or 20 years from now you are still using the original rods and reels you bought the first year.

Get a decient bag for those rods, tip up's can be found anywhere I like the round thermal style now, but the regular tip up's with the foam disks work too.

A skimmer with a chisel end comes in handy, don't forget hooks, sinkers, bobbers, (ice buster bobbers are great) bobber stops...

Tackle is always changing, so what is working this week may not be the hot lure next week.

If you're going to be fishing at night a good headlamp and LED flashlight come in handy.

Set a budget and stick too it to start with, you may not like ice fishing, so no sense in wasting money if you don't like it. I would look around and find a used flasher to start with, it will increase your odds of catching fish, it is not fun to be out all day and not catch a fish when everyone around you is caqtching them, only to find out you were too deep or not deep enough.

WW

[Swimbait2009]

I have ice fished before and LOVE IT! So now I'm looking to outfit myself. Thanks for the suggestions so far guys!

[Ed Carlson]

A StrikeMaster Lazer 6" or 7" hand ice auger is a wise investment. Don't go Cheap on a hand auger..you will regret it latter if you do.

My advise is don't go any larger with the hand auger than you need.

Why... well it is a Big difference in the amount of work required from a 6" to an 8" hand auger....so if your primary species is panfish..do the 6"...walleye, than opt to go to the 7"...8" is more work than the 7"...but it's your call as to how large a hole you feel you need. And the smaller augers work better with the electric drill adapters if you are thinking of that option too.

After that...a rod bag to organize and secure your new tackle collection is wise, a couple good ice rod combo's, and build on the tackle as you go.

A Frabill pail organizer and the extra tall Frabill "Sit-N-Fish" pail with the seat will serve you well before and after you make any choices on a ice shack or a pop-up shack.

I do about 1/3 my ice fishing from this Frabill "Sit-N-Fish" pail rig....early and late ice it's very handy and mobile. Keeps all my essentials in 1 spot and easy to reach...great for hit-and run fishing. Either use or remove the insulated bait bucket inside...adaptable to your needs...fits a sonar easily and other gear.

Think 1-man light and mobile, it translates well to hooking up with friends on the ice, think protect your new investment, and think how your going to store and travel with the gear.

Light and less, is always best.

[mrfish1991]

I could not agree more with Ed on the auger issue...I had the 8" SM lazer hand auger and that was a beast. I got tired after just a few holes and I actully broke the pin that held the handle and the auger part while drilling a hole. I now have the 6" Lazer and its a great hand auger, much better than the SM Mora

[johns73]

If you are willing to drive up to osceola i can give you a couple of extra tipups i'm not useing. May also have other things you could use. John

[Chode2235]

Agree on the hand auger. I have a 6" lazer that I love, and still use for early and late ice.

Fish crappies, and it is big enough for walleyes and small pike too. But it goes through the ice a lot better than a bigger auger.

[jakemcarroll]

6" hand auger would be great, sharp blades go a long ways!! I've actually been a big fan of gander mountains line of ice fishing gear, I really like their reels, cabelas line is also nice. The store brands also tend to be a little cheaper especially if you can find them on sale! Best of luck.

[shizzy]

I am 3 years in now on my 6" Mora hand auger. it was a wise purchase not knowing if I was going to be in to Ice fishing after that first season. I think I paid $35 at FF.

As already stated, a small sled, bucket, seat, 1 or 2 rods, a few jigs, a hand auger and some warm clothes and you will be set for your first winter. Just get yourself out there.

2nd year, flasher, shack and heater.

3rd year, now you can start spending money on rods, lures and all that.