Season so far...What's working for you?

[Rod Woten]

Let's hear how everyone's season is going so far. Any new products that you're really liking so far this year?

So far my season has been pretty good, even though it got off to a late start. As far as days with fishable ice, it's already better than last year!

I'm REALLY liking the new handle on the Jason Mitchell Meat Stick rods. I've also been having great luck with Dave's new Spooler reels on my sight fishing rods. Just the ticket for fooling those shallow, ultra-clear water Ph.D. bluegills.

I also picked up a couple of the split handle spinning rods. I fianlly got them rigged, but haven't had the chance to use them yet. So far ,I really like how they feel. Can't wait to try them out on some lakers.

How about you?

-Rod

[Jason Hamilton]

For me the new Ice Armor extreme bibs have been a lifesaver this year. It has been downright cold at times, really helped me be able to fish effectively.

I also have been liking the Jason Mitchell 38" M it has been excellent for ripping lipless cranks on Lake Winnipeg.

[Craig Oyler]

I got 3 of the Genz split handled rods for my Arctic Warriors, and they did awesome on the lake trout last weekend! I really like that rod.

I've also been using the Clam Big Mouth this season, and that extra 3 sq ft. is pretty nice while night fishing for walleyes. There is plenty of room for the heater, bait bucket, fish bucket, and Vexilar.

[ZinkCalls87]

been doing really good with bluegills in 20 ft of water but they are hovering at and around 15ft although i wasnt to happy helping my cousin put up his big foot xl6000 and seeing my vista tumbleweed but all is good cought it before it hit any trees

[Lawrence Luoma]

I'm loving the Vexilar FL-22 with the Pro-View Ice Ducer. Also, my Fish Trap Scout TC. So far this year due to the wicked winds this year I've used it more times than I have the last two seasons.

[bassinboy3]

I recently just got the Nanook for when I have company and still want to be mobile and I love it. Its very managable and fits under the soft cover of my crew cab silverado which is very important. It packs small and has a lot of fishing room!

[dan z]

Having a stellar year. Been doing really well with Meatsticks and diamond jigs, tip ups have been out with some success. Loving the ease of moving around and no snow. Even the mid season lull has been pretty good. Can't wait for the late ice season

[Fred_Bear]

Lots of new equipment for me this year. I'm loving the Tuned Up Custom Rods Precision noodle for panfish, it's awesome. Set my HDS 5 up for ice fishing and really enjoy the GPS function of it but still prefer my Vexilar flasher while fishing. Most recent purchase is the Jason Mitchell Pro Thermal shelter and I used it this weekend for the first time, man I absolutely love it! I started using Little Atom Plastics for the first time this year, had them in my box for a couple years now but I've always been a Ratso man. Well now I'm definitely converted, #10 diamond jig with a nuggie is what I'm using everytime out now for panfish.

[bassinboy3]

Little atoms are awesome! Im a huge berkley fan as well

[clayton08]

Been pounding crappies on tiny gill pills and marmooskas its been crazy year usually I use spoons tipped with minnows on dozens of lakes but this year downsizing has been the key to every lake Ive fished. Yes sometimes the spoons work but lets just say this Ive used the same jig all year except to put a new one on cause the hook was bent and dull from so many crappies but downsizing has been keys for panfish this year and been catching some dandies all over mn.

[FisH_SLaYer24]

Thorne Bros. Power Noodle 28" Outside Rod with recoil guides paired with the Black Betty 6061 Reel has slayed every crappie and bluegill I have caught this hardwater season. Dynamite setup, IMO!

[Rod Woten]

This is GREAT stuff guys! Keep 'em coming!!!

-Rod

[JuanArellano]

I have had a few weekends like this...

[aaron otto]

The advice from this site - has been working for me. Learning every time I go out. Went and watched the UPL this weekend. Intimidating to say the least. Not sure I will ever be fishing in that class, but learned a lot through my tele-photo lens. Watching people who really know how to fish is pretty cool.

[Garett Svir1582813971]

The advice from this site - has been working for me. Learning every time I go out. Went and watched the UPL this weekend. Intimidating to say the least. Not sure I will ever be fishing in that class, but learned a lot through my tele-photo lens. Watching people who really know how to fish is pretty cool.

You would be surprised Aaron. Most tournament anglers are more than willing to help you become a better angler when pre fishing, after events ect. The competition itself will make you a better angler. I think fishing a few tournaments is a great way for someone to learn.

O and I'm pretty sure that 3mm Fiskas in school bus yellow changed my life

[bigblue]

Wicked 13 ultra light 27 " , BJ Tungsten blue glow double D # 6 tipped with a Jensen egg . FL 22 with probeam . 3 # floro-ice , shimano sahara 1000 FD .

[Bernie Keefe]

I have fell in love with the Dave Genz split grip heavy 40" rods. The Vexilar FL-22 is amazing. The Clam "Bluesuit" is the best suit I have ever wore. Most of all My favorite thing this year has been all the great people I have met on the lake.

[ZinkCalls87]

ive been fishing this winter and catching quite abit of fish with my old fl-8 and my fenwick medium rod its been great for bluegill to walleye to northern

[Kevan Paul]

I really love the meatsticks. They are a sweet rod and well worth the money. Can't wait to buy more!!

[LeDoctaire]

I have been out more this year than last, but the fish are much less cooperative. Even hole hopping has been better when we finessed the fish. It has still been fun, but after last year, I guess I was spoiled. I browse this and two other forums daily, and keep hoping for that magic spot or magic method that will put a limit of 15" crappies, or 10" sunfish, or 14" perch in my pail. (Actually, I think I would take some photos and release them.....but you know what I mean.) I usually look for panfish. That way, the walleye & sauger & pike are a pleasant surprise!

[Stick in Mud]

Not much new for me. My walleye bite on Mille Lacs has been dominated by setlines....which is just fine by me, as I do my best to be one of the laziest fishermen I know. 10 year old dacron line, some 10 lb flouro, a hook of whatever color, and a minnow. Sure, the guys I know who are out popping 100's of holes are outfishing me--sometimes. Most of the weekends this year, however, my lazy style has done better than the active. I'll take it!

[hydro]

Nice post carmike! It seems that the rampant commercialism surrounding ice fishing recently has made this sport more of a "what I bought" than a focus on what we are doing out on the ice.

While I do keep try and keep up on the new products and technologies, I am more likely to use lures that I have made, tackle that is affordable but reliable, and I make fishing more of an activity than a showcase.

This year I have worked on subtle and what I like to see as innovative changes and I have done well enough on fish to keep me happy. The two things that have worked particularly well for me are adapting my old Mora hand auger to a cordless drill (I have not even started my gas auger yet) and adapting short dropper rigs to lures to provide target separation from the attractor (lure) to the bait.

[Scott Seibert]

With the colder temps I have been using my X2 Thermal and Scout Big Mouth Thermal this year staying warm. I have been using less propane this year using my Thermal houses. My go to rods for Walleyes have been the Dave Genz Split handle in 28" Med light and 30" Med.

[Charlie Mason]

When it comes to the tournies, sometimes shelters have to be sacraficed for the "Need for Speed" and I break out the bucket rig for staying on top of fish. Recently did a prefish in -5 to -20 windchills and I was nice and toasty in my blue Ice Armor suit.

My neighbor wanted to see what tourney fishing was all about so he partnered up with me for the Ludington, MI event. Not having any equipment or clothing I let him wear my Vex Cold Snap suit which kept him more than cozy. I let him wear my big ol 2000 gram boots, wont mention any names, but after day one on the ice, he was loading up the air activated heat packs under the insulation.

Between the Ice Armor thermolite liner socks,the blend socks and the black Onyx boots I needed nothing else, plus the bonus was I got to laugh at him a lil bit because he kept complaining about the little hot spots under his feet. That boot and sock system rocked for me all five days in some of the most brutal outside conditions I have ever fished in

[seacoastguide]

I love my blue suit!