Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If you want access to members only forums on HSO, you will gain access only when you Sign-in or Sign-Up .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member. ?

Are You Ready?


Pat_Rodger

Recommended Posts

Are you ready?

I have started spooling new line on my Spooler combo's. Charged my Vexilars battery's. rearranged my jig box a thousand times. Packed and repacked my amenity gear like extra gloves and Kahtoola Spikes.

Have I got everything packed and ready? No not yet! I have paid no attention to one of the most important pieces of equiptment. MY Self.

Am I physically ready for first ice? The long walks pulling my sled and gear behind me? The holes that need to be drilled and not to mention the numerouse slabs and bull gills i have to lift from the bottom of the lake. Some say ice fishing is fun I agree one hundred percent. But it can also be very stressful to your body.

I grew up across the street from our house in Minneapolis in a school yard. As soon as the morning chores were done my two brothers and myself were out the door, crossed the street and were in the school yard. We played home run derby, 60 (a form of hide and seek), baseball,etc. The only time the school yard was empty was during sunday mass. I have aged since than.

Talking to my buddy Jack tonight reminded me that we talk about getting our gear ready but fail to mention about getting our bodies ready. I always thought heck my job keeps me in shape but after last years tough ice conditions I'm not in the school yard anymore. We tend to forget that.

I walk my dogs every day at least once. One thing I like to do is add a back pack full of gear to our walks to help resemble pulling my clam shack with gear in it out. Take the stairs as much as I can. Adding more cardio activity's to my daily activity's will help me enjoy my fishing experiences. Stretching our bones and muscles may look out of place but in my opinion a pulled muscle could really ruin a day on the ice.

My challenge to all my fellow ice fishing enthusiast's male and female is to prepare your body while you prepare your gear. Please feel free to let me know what you do to get yourself ready for ice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

One thing I did 3 years ago that was really helpful was to start eating healthier and trying to move a little more each day. I dropped about 50 pounds of excess fat and that has made it a lot easier for me to get around! All that extra chub weighed about the same as an original fish trap. Imagine walking around with a fish trap strapped on your chest all day, that is what I was doing basically, but I thought that was normal because I was so used to carrying the extra weight. No wonder I was so tired and wore out my joints!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very good points here, also a good idea to strengthen your abs and core muscles. Icefishing involves a lot of lifting, carrying and general moving of gear. Hurting your back can not only ruin a day but a season. A little warm up and stretching before drilling 50 holes will go a long way.

Regular exersice will imrpove your physical stamina allowing you to fish more actively throughout the day. That last hole you drill can always mean a great day instead of a good day. You will stay more focused mentally as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

good point on the abs! Many people fail to realize that back issues may actually be from an ab/core weakness issue. When the body has to use the back more for simple movements, that is when a person gets more tired and more apt to have back pain and injuries. Two very simple exercises that will really get the body prepared would be squats (holding a broom over your head with arms extended) and ab rollers (these will really kick your a**). Just make sure to not start doing the ab rollers up to a week before a planned vigorous activity, because you will be very very sore for a while when you first start doing them! Many different household items will work for the ab rollers (rolling pin, dumbbells, ect)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great topic pat ! Now that i look at it i feel like i have a wheel house strapped to my chest ..lol but your right getting in shape is critical just as much as getting your gear ready is critical.

Last year i had an episode walking out on lake wapo we were leaving and i was dragging my shack back to the boat launch and i ended up falling over , woke up in the back of an ambulance i guess i had some blockage in a artery and needed a stent "thank god i went fishing with someone" i was going to go alone that night but a friend called and met me there. thats why i cant stress enough to make sure you have someone with you out there ice fishing because you never know what might happen. If i woulda been alone ....who knows! but getting in shape for the season can really minimize the risks. Great topic !!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now ↓↓↓ or ask your question and then register. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.