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Gearing up for the season! Preparation......

Jarrid Houston

By Jarrid Houston
in Ice Fishing

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Jarrid Houston Mentor

Jarrid Houston

Posted
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Thought it would be nice to share some insight on getting prepared for the ice season..

I'll start with a couple of things I do to prepare: change out line on jig sticks, re-rig tip-ups for the season, organize jigs, lures etc in boxes so I know where things are when it is time to need them, make sure electronics are all in working order with batteries, etc..

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Charlie Mason Enthusiast

Charlie Mason

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Ice auger is an excellent place to start, and one step should have been taken at the end of the last season, specially if you have an older model.

At the end of each season, I suggest that you empty almost all of the season's gas out of the auger, fire it up and let it run dry. The ethanol is bad for engines, specially the older ones that I mentioned before, specically the engine's carb system. Stablizer additives only go so far.

Fresh line is a must, specially your reels spooled with 2 lb test. Nothing worse than having a big fish on and losing it because you didnt want to spend a couple of bucks to start the season right. On that note, I even go the extra step in ordering line directly from the factory, sometimes you just dont know how long line has been sitting on the shelf or in a stock room.

When it comes to panfish jigs that because of their size can be moved around a lot while in transport, trying going to a different orgizational system than a "box" or tray. if you store them loose, check out all the paint chips inside the box from last season. You are much better off with a fly box type system, or something like this that holds them securely in place at all times.

15332_1217664813145_5111816_n.jpg

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Each one of these bags has 7 zip pages in them where I put the foam inserts, locking each lure in place, and not allowing them to bang around

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pushbutton Grand Master

pushbutton

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Thanks Charlie! Had to show the pics to the Mrs. and just you made me look good as far as what I spend on tackle smile I am no where near as organized as many and usually wait till the last minute for most of my maintenance .....usually the night before, but one thing I do is try to start planning early as far as reservations and passes from the warden. For the big trips, to get the prime locations at the prime times....you have to plan ahead. Actually it is kind of a strategic process....if that means I have to go to the Nutcracker, take her out to a overpriced dinner, and/or little nephew Billy's birthday party the two weeks prior...it is time well spent wink

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Charlie Mason Enthusiast

Charlie Mason

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haha, thats just the bluegill and crappie stuff, somewhere I had a pic of the perch bag, and doesnt come close to the walleye gear stocked up in the workshop. That would be your get out of jail free card if the wife gave you the look for bringing home a bag of jigs.

Point is, jigs today are not cheap, not the good ones anyway. They really are an investment and its one thing to lose a jig during a good fight with a fish, but its a crying shame to waste one in a box getting banged around.

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BoxMN Grand Master

BoxMN

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I don't put on new line each season. But I do take my ice rods out and let ALL the line out while trolling (no lure) and reel it back in. Gets all kinks/twists out and the line is like new. Not much sun hits the ice line, so I haven't had much of prob doing this. But new line is easy and relatively cheap too, but letting it all out in boat and reeling back in really makes sure it is on straight and no twist.

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Jarrid Houston Mentor

Jarrid Houston

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Nice tip on the line! Also, may want to make sure the reels R all spinning free and clear. A little lube can usually do the trick. It is nice that a good new rod is not to expensive when it comes to ice fishin. I love my Jason Mitchell meat sticks from the Elite series and also love my Genz Power Stick series...way less expensive then a new summer rod n reel!

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sorenson Explorer

sorenson

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Probably preaching to the choir here but along w/ the reel lube (remember to use sparingly - when it gets cold it stiffens a bit), check rod guides w/ a cotton swab for nicks that can cut your line. Inspect reel seats for signs of fatigue (or replace tape on Tennessee handles). A little prep inside where it's warm will insure the worst won't happen out there where it's cold...

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Gary Parsons Apprentice

Gary Parsons

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I find myself fishing until dark or past dark most days. With all of the new lighting accessories available, I'm equipping the X2 with a battery pack and light set up. One of my best locations when I fish local is near a snowmobile trail that crosses the ice. Reflectors are going on this year after almost getting run over!

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Fishin4fun_MN Community Regular

Fishin4fun_MN

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I find myself fishing until dark or past dark most days. With all of the new lighting accessories available, I'm equipping the X2 with a battery pack and light set up. One of my best locations when I fish local is near a snowmobile trail that crosses the ice. Reflectors are going on this year after almost getting run over!

I have thought about this too. I often walk on with my portable (do not own an ATV/ Side by Side or snowmobile). while there isn't always a lot of traffic, you often hear and or see vehicles and snowmobiles/ATVs on the lakes. Was thinking white for the front of sled and red on back of shelter and rear of sled.

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