Just starting to Ice Fish, Equipment recommendatio

[carlcmc]

I have ice fished one time in the past. The winter, I plan to start in earnest.

If you would, will you give recommendations for equipment to buy as a starting ice fisher?

What is the bare minimum? What would you also get that makes a world of difference? What would you get if one had even a bit extra spend?

I'd like to hit the ground running and not make any false starts.

Thanks, Carl.

[upnorth]

2 good ice rods

1 vexilar flasher

1 hand auger for sure, if you got the $$ a gas auger

1 ice house

1 ice scoop

a pile of small to medium jigs

1/2 dozen angel eye jrs.

[Ray Esboldt]

Not to toot my own horn here, but Rick just put an article from your's truly covering the essentials.

The Must-haves of Ice Fishing

[Kylersk]

I too just started ice fishing this year. I tried to start out modest, but things have escalated. My first purchase was a portable fish house (otter lodge). I knew sitting on a bucket in the cold would end my desire rather quickly. So, the portable was a must. Then, after buying the portable, I debated between an ice auger or vexilar. After reading this board, talking to others, I decided on the Vexilar. Now there are many that will say the Vexilar is not needed, the auger is. Cant fish without a hole in the ice. =) But there are also who say they will not fish without a vexilar. I had planned on using a hand auger (that someone gave me) but came across a used gas auger. Then it was down to the little stuff (that adds up VERY quickly). Rod, reel, tackle, heater and such. I just went with peoples recommendations from this board for most items.

[hanson]

carlcmc-

You've already made the important 1st step, being a member of Fishing Minnesota! Your learning curve will be cut in half with the wealth of information available here. Just ask away! I don't believe there are any dumb questions.

Budget is always a factor for most people. If budget isn't an issue, I'll compile a list of ice fishing goodies that will come close to a new Ranger walleye boat in price. Hard to believe, but if I consider my pickup, snowmobile, trailer, ice houses, auger, flasher, GPS, heater, camera, rods, tackle, etc. The total $$$ tag is right up there. Thankfully, most of these items serve double or triple duty so overall cost doesn't look so bad. But you can assemble most ice fishing gear for a very limited amount of money as Ray described in his article (Nice Job Ray!). Used equipment is another way to make the dollar go a little further!

I'm sure there will be a lot of good ideas tossed around but hooking up with some guys who are already into ice fishing would be the easiest and quickest way to jump into the sport.

[Captain B.R.K]

Looking back to when I first started, had some warm clothes, sat on a 5 gallon bucket with a small tackle box with panfish ice- lures and some swedish pimples, and a rod/reel combo from Berkley. All that cost me like $50.

Looking back: this is how I would do it

1) Buy a decent rod and a decent reel sperate- can use the reel for an ultra-light rig in the summer. Berkley Genz and St.Croix rods are the perference here because of the $$$. Reels- pick up any decent reel that will match the rod.

2) Tackle- buy specific to what you are fishing. Pick up small amounts as you go along and just keep adding to your stock.

3) Electronics- not a definate, but will DRAMATICALLY help you out in the long run in finding breaks and finding fish. PLUS you can hook it up to a boat if you have one.

4) Auger- start with a hand auger. Then work your way up to a power auger

5) House- nothing wrong with a bucket, as long as it isn't terribly cold outside.

3-5) Are all determined by the amount of time you are going to put on the ice.

**Biggest difference for me was this- the warmer I was, the more time and $$ I was willing to put into the sport because when you are cold- it just ain't any fun!!!

[Sportland_Bait]

Everyone has been there. You can spend as much or as little as you would like. This is what I recommend.

Bare Minimum

-Rod and Reel Combo, You can get a decent set-up for $10-$40

-Tip Up if you like fishing for Northerns ($15)

-Hand Auger until you graduate to a gas auger ($40-$60)

-Ice scoop ($4)

-5 Gallon Pail, carries your gear, 2nds as a seat

-Basic selection of tackle, Hooks, Jigs, Clip on Depth Finder, Bobbers, you can expand your arsenal as you go. ($20)

When you upgrade the first thing you will want is a Flasher such as a Vexilar or Marcum. ($200-$450)

Next would be a Portable Fish House, there are lots of options.

Thats about all you need, but you'll always find something you gotta have.

Good Luck its a great sport.

Jason Erlandson

[carlcmc]

Wow, thanks for all the good information. Now to decide whether to spend on the vexilar and gas auger i guess...

[slick814]

If the budget allows for that expense, I'd go with the vex before the power auger.

Reason being is that you can drill holes with a hand auger vs. the power auger, but ya can't see what's beneath you unless you have the vex or a camera...

Besides, the hand auger is a great shoulder workout, and doesn't make as much noise.

[BigDaddy]

Hey Carl,

Welcome to Ice Fishing. You are going to love it!

I just want to offer you a little different opinion than some other guys have already posted.

I fished for years with a hand auger, a couple of stick poles, a little terminal tackle, and a scoop.

If you don't have good warm winter cloths, buy some.

You can use your car/truck as a windbreak and warming house (when we have enough ice). I first big purchase that I would make would be shelter.

Spend more time on the ice and catch a few fish. If you really get the bug and want it all, get some late-season deals this Spring.

[upnorth]

My only real reasoning on the gas auger is that up here by the end of January there is usually over 3 freakin feet of ice, yes the hand auger is gonna make it through, you ain't gonna want to punch too many holes like that. Cripes before I got a gas auger we were out on URL in early Feb and I was down on my knees trying to get through the few inches of ice, man that sucks

Even with most of the goodies it is still cheaper than open water fishing. Cripes a new boat will cost more than all the ice fishing gear combined.

[NAPAFISH]

Carl there is one thing great about ice fishing is that it is not very expensive to start. I started last year.

I bought 2 rods $10 each with line already.

jigs, bobbers and bobber stops $10

I got real lucky found a power auger for $50 pawn shop

The more time you spend looking for ice fishing equipment, you can find the best deals.

[eurolarva]

If you own a boat that has a fish finder on it you can fabricate a portable that you can use for ice fishing. I got a second tranducer and attached a float to it. I went to gander mountian and got a gell cell battery with charger for 20 bucks. I put all this in a collapsable 6 pack cooler and use hand warmers to keep the crystal warm. My eagle 2 has an analog feature on it that works similar to a flasher but is not as good as a velexar. With ducer and battery the kit cost me about 50 dollars. I want a velexar but cant justify the cost.

On clothing my recomendation is to not go cheap on the boots. Feet and hands are the first things to go on the ice so the boots should be rated for at least 30 below zero. Even with a portatable similar to the clam your feet are still on the ice. It dont take long for feet to get cold when you arent moving around.

[rap]

i'd definately go with a vex over a gas auger. i'd buy a vex and a 6" hand auger... flashers increase your catch and make the day a hundred times more fun. you see your lure and every fish that comes beneath you on the graph...

[psegriz]

Carl

Just a thaught. Do you have a chainsaw? If ya get or have a portable ya could use the chainsaw to cut holes. Any size ya want and if the lake is clear could even watch the fish in the daytime. It's a good way to learn by watching if your just starting out.

[anyfishwilldo]

Get the Vex, and find a friend with a power auger.

[JBinSD]

If you check out the Marcum LX-1 or LX-3 after fishing with a Vex, you won't get a Vexilar. Somebody on the ice will probably let you use their auger but not there electronics.

[vikingmeatwad]

yeah man, I'm also starting to compile my collection of gear since I mostly go with the old man but want to start going by myself more often. I found a 7" hand auger at a garage sale, bought new blades so it was like $20.

Question for you guys, know of any portables(single or dual person) that would fit in the back of my car? '97 Toyota Corolla. I don't have the cash to get a pick up quite yet.

Thanks

[psegriz]

VMW

The fishhouse ya end up getting might just be able to strap to the roof of your corolla. Just an idea.