what has made you a better (ice) angler

[&JAG]

I've learned never to get "comfortable" while fishing. If something isn't working try something new. It may be a lure, set-up, location etc. I get a kick out of people who sit in one spot and whine about how the fish aren't biting. I guess that would be my biggest learning experience, be mobile.

[52#FLATHEAD]

Learning tips from others, like you guys.

My $100 camera. Watching fish behavior & reactions.

My wife for buying my 1st ice house.

A gas auger & having time to go fishing.

[silverbulletguy]

Humminbird flasher and a spring bobber. Of course all of the other things mentioned definitely help a lot I think these two are tops on my list.

[shizzy]

#1 time on the ice

#2 time on the ice.

#3 proper cold weather glothing and a power auger.

[jeff9273]

I'm still learning alot myself.

One thing I do that seems to really help is I talk to bait dealers in the area. They usually give reliable information to get you started.

The second thing I do is I move until I find fish. Sometimes the crowds of fisherman are on a good spot...sometimes not....keep an open mind.

[mr_jman]

The time you yourself spend on the water is probably the most valuable.

No piece of equipment is designed to make you a worse fisherman. Every person on here could attribute a different item to making them better and everyone would be right. For me, a flasher as a tool is probably the most important piece of equipment that has helped me become better.

I really started getting into fishing only about 4 or 5 years ago. I didn't know a whole lot before then. I have learned a lot from friends and from magazines and books. Then remembering to put them into practice and be willing to fail and not get discouraged has helped me become better.

I still have A LOT to learn and I still go days where I catch nothing, but even on those days I try to take something and learn from it. I also keep a fishing log and try to take as many notes as I can. I've only been doing it for about 5 or 6 months but it is fun to go back and see things I have already forgotten. When I make it through an entire year I think having that journal will make a huge difference!

[dan z]

a flasher is #1 tool in making me a better ice angler. being able to look back at the GPS were I fished and the time and what not has guided me to a general area where I should start fishing

also...

[Snag]

Electronics, gps and flashers, internet and trying new spots

[Jigging Joe]

Gps is at the top of my list, it can bring you back to the spot from yesterday or 4 years ago. Flasher would be second, summer and winter. Third would be a fishing log book, I have gone a way from this but need to start again, after time it really shows patterns and times when and where the fish will bite. It also gets you excited to go fishing again when you read the old notes and remember the day you hammered the fish!!!

[Bassinbob84]

1.Look up the lake on dnr lake finder

2.Pick a few spots to try on gps

3. Go crazy drilling 50 holes

4 hole hop with a rod and lx5 til I find fish.

Some days it's the only way to find them. Some days you don't find them, Other days you can flip the shack over after a few holes. Once you know the area well enough you only need to drill 2 holes a day.

There are days where any bait catches fish some days they only want it jogged a certain way and you have to switch baits after every fish otherwise they are spooked.

Don't be afraid to get out of the shack either. I have quite a few spots where you won't get a bite all day inside a shack but pull limits outside the shack. Also try going out some day with no bait. You might be surprised what will bite.

[gritsnham]

Power augers and flashers are no dout the best tools in the modern ice fishing arsenal. I have had enough days now were I catch fish after 20+ holes sometimes much more that unless I catch fish im drilling more holes. I would have to spend along time debating which one of these tools I would give up. As a young kid I thought ice fishing was boring sitting in one spot and sometimes catching fish and sometimes not.

Now even if I dont find the good bite I can drill holes and experiment with different presentations while using my flasher. I remeber using a friends flasher and wanting to get one when I was 15, after begging for one for christmas and getting it I would walk 2 miles with the sled every day to catch fish on a metro lake by my house and ice fishing has a special place in my heart ever since then. I litterally dragged an old scout enough that I wore the sled out in less than a year!

After auger and flasher I have to agree with time on the ice and figuring out how fish move and what structure they will relate to and why they are there. Something I have learned this year is that not using live bait makes you work alot harder to catch fish but also leads to creating better reaction bites.

No matter what, do what allows you to have fun on the ice since thats what its all about...fish are great but walking on water is something special all on its own!

[dfv87]

Southern Comfort, I always seem to know more and can do anything when we have some SoCo in the ice house...

[Harmonica Bear]

An open mind.

Razor sharp hooks.

Paying extreme attention to the detail of your set up, even if it's just a minnow on a hook. Detals, details, details can make all the difference in the world.

Above all....... PATIENCE

[fishermatt]

Fishing by Myself!!! I am always willing to experiment more and try new things when I go by myself than any other time. When others are along, I'm focused more on getting us on fish in proven spots and using time tested techniques, but when I'm alone I can make it my own trip and do whatever I want, which over many many many trips has led to a few "Revelations" where all of a sudden a pattern clicks and your confidence and versatility jumps!

As many others have said, Time on the water, but I would add to that "Time spent actively fishing and working at it" instead of sitting in one spot waiting. With todays Maps there's always a new spot to be tried!

[Big Tom]

GPS, Flashers and all the latest stuff have greatly improved my catch rates. But even these tools in the hands of the unprepared pay limited dividends. Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.

Mostly attention to detail stuff.

Bring the flasher, heater, reels, bait and the Fat Tire in at night.

Charge Flasher.

Gas up the auger/sled.

Use the timer on the coffee maker. Make lunch the night before.

Get to the spot(s) and drill holes 90 minutes before prime time.

Ensure line and hooks are in perfect working order.

Bring enough propane, batteries and hand warmers.

Set up tip ups on the first two drilled holes while drilling others.

Be prepared to move shallower after dark and deeper after the sun moves up. Placing tip ups in advance of these times can tell you when the fish have moved.

As with all things in life and especially fishing, it's all in the timing. I see so many people waste valuable fishing time doing things that should have already been done or leaving early because they ran out of something or forgot to bring extras/enough.

Tight lines everyone.

[Duffman]

Fishing different types of water, and fishing for different species of fish has made me an overall better angler.

[Da Biggin]

I think this is a great question... Good to know somebody out here respects the art of fishing enough to ask it any more rather follow the herd to the next hot bite.

Be creative and let the fish dictate what they like... This is one thing we as anglers tend to forget. Creativity is what got us to where we are in this sport and we cant just leave all of the Research and Development go to the big wigs on tv now. You never know you might create the next great presentation.

Also, I keep a log of every fishing trip I go on. I log what lake Im fishing, the time I was fishing, the air temp, water temp, barometric pressure, where I fished on the lake, what species I was targeting, what I used and how I used it to get that particular species, and lastly the outcome of the day. This would include number of fish caught, missed, or seen on vex to the best of my rememberence, and any quick notes that stood out to me.

I know it sounds like a lot and I am often reminded of that by my fishing family but over time it has shown me the trends, patterns, and overall swing (fish poppulation/ migrations) of the lakes I fish. It is time consuming and can take a while but i think that the time spent pays off and in the end you can be considered one of those "Ol Timers" that AnyFish 2 mentioned.

[bdafisher]

Figuring out that my favorite bait is whatever the fish are biting that day. Or cutting, retying, switching baits, depths, holes, in short being flexible. Remember its an adventure not a destination.

[chris63]

I would say keep the speed down on the ice that will keep your boat in control.You don't want your trailer spinning out in front of all those tournament goers.No but seriously you will do best by simply putting your time in on the ice.Drill!drill and more drilling.Old school says time put in=fish coming out!I'm not saying that educating oneself on all different types of reading material is a bad thing.Just doing time on the ice is the best advise imho! Have fun and don't fall in!c63