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New to Ice Fishing

Hick727

By Hick727
in Ice Fishing

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ND4LIFE Enthusiast

ND4LIFE

Posted
Posted

There are lots of good rod/reel combo's out there and really depends on your budget and what type of fishing you are gonna do. I prefer a medium action in 30" for jigging when you need to 'feel' what the fish are doing. I have some lighter action shorter rods for pan fish/slip bobber fishing. A really high end rod really isn't necessary for beginner fisherman anyway (unless you can afford it). I would rather spend money on 2 'less expensive' combos then 1 'high end' combo. It's nice to have a few setups ready to go so you can switch lures/styles really quick.

Jigs are a whole other game and the variety is huge and somewhat over whelming. A few different colors (bright to dark) and different sizes are always good. Don't really need big heavy jigs when ice fishing since your are not fighting currents. Don't forget some good basic hooks and split-shot weights in your arsenal too. This has always been a good live bait setup for me. Take a look at Northland tackle's HSOforum. There are some good articles and videos on lure presentation.

Good luck and good fishing!

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Sgt_NellieUSMC Apprentice

Sgt_NellieUSMC

Posted
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As far as rod and reel combos go, you can spend alot of money if you go for the top of the line stuff such as St. Croix rods. I usually prefer the ugly stick combos that usually run about $30 and they usually already have have line spooled on them. They seem to be pretty durable all the way from the medium action to the ultra lights. There are a few others out there that are cheaper but you usually get what you pay for. If you are just getting started i would recommend buying at least one medium rod for your walley's and a ultra light for some pan fish. if you are going to fish for pike/muskies, you will need a stiffer flex than medium for obvious reasons.

Like the post before, jigs can be a preference in brand, size , color etc. For panfish I recommend jigs in the #10 and #12 sizes. The color can always depend on the day. For walleyes i usually jig with buckshot spoons tipped with minnow heads. And you can always rely on shiners/crappie minnows on a plain hook with a split shot weight about 12=14inches above the hook. These are just a few tips to help get you started. Hope this helps and good luck out on the ice

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Sgt_NellieUSMC Apprentice

Sgt_NellieUSMC

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it all depends on the lakes you fish. I usually fish lakes in the south metro area and the lighter colors work better for me. and if you are fishing at night, the glow jigs are a must. if the waters you fish are really clear the darker colors may work well during day time. you will have to do a little trial and error to see what works. you might find you never catch fish with certain colors on that particular lake and some that work better. you will learn over time and possibly you might find a nice guy willing to share a few tips when you get out on the lake.

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DuckBlind Collaborator

DuckBlind

Posted
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I like St. Croix or the Cabelas combos...cheap is fine. Probably end up down the hole some day anyways. I just look for BIGGEST guides I can find, ice can build up on your bobber stop and it seems the bigger guides don't get in the way as much.

Jigs...

Crappies: Demons (green head-glow)

Walleye: Plain huke with a glow bead and glow sinker

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DarthBaiter Collaborator

DarthBaiter

Posted
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Any rod reel works fine imo. Sometimes my go to rod/reel is a cheap $7 one i got from wally world. For pannies I like a #14 marmooska tipped with fresh water shrimp, sunfish can't resist them. Color of the jig doesn't seem to matter. But if you use the shrimp a small #14 is pretty much required in order to hook through the little guys tail crustacean.

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mntim Contributor

mntim

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When just starting out, look for cheap. Buy the $15 combo rods. They may only last a few years, but make sure you enjoy ice fishing before you start investing. When I first started ice, I bought a bunch of jigs of e bay. You can get a bunch of good deals there if you shop right. Welcome to the addiction most of us are in.

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GotALunker Collaborator

GotALunker

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If you're just starting out...I agree...go with affordable. The inexpensive combos got most of us started. And BTW, the tip ups at Fleet farm that are less than $10 (POLAR made by HT) IMO are pretty much the best ones you can buy. This addiction can get expensive so it would be in your interest to ensure you are interested.

If you're drilling holes by hand...bring a friend especially if you're heading out mid ice. That can be very discouraging, but don't let it stop you from going out there.

If you want any more detailed hints...shoot me Private message. I'll be glad to help.

Oh and yes, we did mention addiction right?

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Hick727 Contributor

Hick727

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If you're just starting out...I agree...go with affordable. The inexpensive combos got most of us started. And BTW, the tip ups at Fleet farm that are less than $10 (POLAR made by HT) IMO are pretty much the best ones you can buy. This addiction can get expensive so it would be in your interest to ensure you are interested.

If you're drilling holes by hand...bring a friend especially if you're heading out mid ice. That can be very discouraging, but don't let it stop you from going out there.

If you want any more detailed hints...shoot me Private message. I'll be glad to help.

Oh and yes, we did mention addiction right?

I love the outdoors and i love fishing and hunting, so im already addicted grin

And thanks, if i need advice i know who to go to now grin

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Brad B Veteran

Brad B

Posted
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I wouldn't go with that. the rod would be okay but HT reels suck. I had 2 of the reels and have since got rid of them. I have switched to using the shakespeare ugly stik pro ice combos. the are of good quality and are only $30.00 each. stay in that $25 to $30 price range. they are not the cheapest but you don't need to spend $50 + like some people do.

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MJBaldwin Proficient

MJBaldwin

Posted
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I am just starting out as well the girlfriend got me a rod and one for her for my birthday but I was at Gander this last weekend and found a berkly set of two for 20 bucks couldnt go wrong with it just to have an extra line in the water.

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tsande00 Experienced

tsande00

Posted
Posted

I've actually had really good luck with HT reels. I probably own about 6 of them right now. They aren't going to last 10 years but they're still running strong for me, some are 3 years old. @ $20 I can afford to buy a new one frequently.

South Bend is the brand I'd stay away from.

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rodmoen Enthusiast

rodmoen

Posted
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another thing is when your out in 2 feet of ice with your hand auger and see 10 power augers sitting next to everyone else, if your courteous, most of us with a power auger will burn you a couple holes if you ask nice, and the bite is not too hot.

My favorite rod combo is my gander mtn guide series, I would pick up something to get you thru this year, and look to upgrade at seasons end when every store is givin their stuff away 30-40% off.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Wanderer
      Just Food and Drink

      By Wanderer · Posted

      It’s done automatically.  You might need an actual person to clear that log in stuff up.   Trash your laptop history if you haven’t tried that already.
    • smurfy
      Just Food and Drink

      By smurfy · Posted

      😂 yea pretty amazing how b o o b i e s gets flagged, but they can't respond or tell me why I  can't get logged in here on my laptop but I can on my cellular  😪
    • Mike89
      Just Food and Drink

      By Mike89 · Posted

      I grilled some brats yesterday, maybe next weekend will the next round...  
    • Wanderer
      Just Food and Drink

      By Wanderer · Posted

      You got word censored cuz you said        B o o b ies….. haha.   Yeah, no… grilling is on hiatus for a bit.
    • smurfy
      Just Food and Drink

      By smurfy · Posted

      Chicken mine,  melded in Mccormick poultry seasoning for 24 hours.  Grill will get a break till the frigid temps go away!
    • Mike89
      Problems with Yetti

      By Mike89 · Posted

      good luck!!!   
    • rundrave
      Problems with Yetti

      By rundrave · Posted

      we had some nice weather yesterday and this conundrum was driving me crazy  so I drove up to the house to take another look. I got a bunch of goodies via ups yesterday (cables,  winch ratchet parts, handles, leaf springs etc).   I wanted to make sure the new leaf springs I got fit. I got everything laid out and ready to go. Will be busy this weekend with kids stuff and too cold to fish anyway, but I will try to get back up there again next weekend and get it done. I don't think it will be bad once I get it lifted up.    For anyone in the google verse, the leaf springs are 4 leafs and measure 25 1/4" eye  to eye per Yetti. I didnt want to pay their markup so just got something else comparable rated for the same weight.   I am a first time wheel house owner, this is all new to me. My house didn't come with any handles for the rear cables? I was told this week by someone in the industry that cordless drills do not have enough brake to lower it slow enough and it can damage the cables and the ratchets in the winches.  I put on a handle last night and it is 100% better than using a drill, unfortatenly I found out the hard way lol and will only use the ICNutz to raise the house now.
    • Wanderer
      Problems with Yetti

      By Wanderer · Posted

      I haven’t done any leaf springs for a long time and I can’t completely see the connections in your pics BUT I I’d be rounding up: PB Blaster, torch, 3 lb hammer, chisel, cut off tool, breaker bar, Jack stands or blocks.   This kind of stuff usually isn’t the easiest.   I would think you would be able to get at what you need by keeping the house up with Jack stands and getting the pressure off that suspension, then attack the hardware.  But again, I don’t feel like I can see everything going on there.
    • rundrave
      Problems with Yetti

      By rundrave · Posted

      reviving an old thread due to running into the same issue with the same year of house. not expecting anything from yetti and I already have replacement parts ordered and on the way.   I am looking for some input or feedback on how to replace the leaf springs themselves.    If I jack the house up and remove the tire, is it possible to pivot the axel assembly low enough to get to the other end of the leaf spring and remove that one bolt?   Or do I have to remove the entire pivot arm to get to it? Then I also have to factor in brake wire as well then. What a mess   My house is currently an hour away from my home at a relatives, going to go back up and look it over again and try to figure out a game plan.           Above pic is with house lowered on ice, the other end of that leaf is what I need to get to.   above pic is side that middle bolt broke and bottom 2 leafs fell out here is other side that didnt break but you can see bottom half of leaf already did but atleast bolt is still in there here is hub assembly in my garage with house lowered and tires off when I put new tires on it a couple months ago. hopefully I can raise house high enough that it can drop down far enough and not snap brake cable there so I can get to that other end of the leaf spring.
    • smurfy
      Just Food and Drink

      By smurfy · Posted

      Chef boyardee pizza from the box!

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