Brainerd Ice Fishing Extravaganza

[Fish Forever]

I have a question for all of you veteran tourney fisherman. This year two buddies and I are going to enter the $150,000 Brainerd ice fishing contest. I've never fished in a fishing contest so any advice you can offer would be great. What should I bring? Should I only fish for Northerns since they will usually be the heaviest fish? Would you suggest I fish the holes near the outside edge to try and avoid all of the commotion? Any thought would greatly appreciated. It sounds like this contest will be crazy with all of the contestants, last year they had 13,000. WOW !

[Dan Thiem]

One small piece of advice is to bring a spud bar because they pre-drill the holes in advance. They can get froze back up pretty quick.

As far as where to fish and what to use, your guess is as good as anyones.

One thing I do like about Brainerds contest is they check every on when they come in.

[rod bender]

Try to fish the perimeter of the area. If I remember right it's a big flat that they are fishing on so structure is nonexistant. If you want to try to 100th place, try a smaller jig and hope for a crappie to stumble on it, if you want to shoot for one of the top 10, set up a tip-up and hope for a northern. Good luck to you. Wear some waterproof boots as the weight on the ice will generally push the ice down and force water on top.

[walleyedan]

F.F., It's a great time!! Bring WARM clothes, a chisel, minnows, your ticket (exposed on your jacket), Minnesota fishing license, a couple of rods and some basic tackle (jigs, spoons, hooks, sinkers, bobbers,), Vexilar, Aqua Vu, a chair, camera, No bottles, some munchies a sled to bring your stuff out, some luck. Remember, it's only 3 hours so don't bring the kitchen sink. Sherree at S&W Bait (just shy of the contest area) will have pre-packaged bait and all your necessities. I'm sure there are some other things I forgot to mention, so hopefully you will get some more input from others.

Walleyedan

[perchman]

was there last year, what a great time.. didnt catch a thing but made alot of new friends.

we took a bus from out motel, was great getting to the lake but getting back at the end was horrid...

should plan on staying after the contest to let 'er clear out. I guess fish way out in the deep water 60+ plus.. thats what i heard.. good luck.

[Fish Forever]

What are you fishing for in 60'+ of water?

Another question for people who have attended. Should I just try and catch a fish or the biggest fish. Are a lot of fish caught? I think it would be kind of boring of I watched a tip-up for three hours. Maybe I'll jig for the first 1-1/2 and us a tip-up for the last 1-1/2. Thanks for the waterproof boots tip and ice chisel. I'm getting so excited, here fishy, fishy.

[ice_shack]

The tourney is a blast register anything you catch. It's alot of fun to do and to watch. It is a frikkin zoo (that's putting it mildly).

If you like to drink beer when you fish you better bring some. On the ice you could buy a pound of gold cheeper than a 12 pack.

[TV BOY]

I've been there the last 4 years and have never seen water on the ice. Just bare ice (no snow) so ice cleats are nice to keep from slipping and falling in front of 13,000 onlookers.

Dress warm and in layers, the last few years have been ?*(& cold!

[Borch]

I've fished it all but the fisrt year. I've seen a foot of water on the ice, beatiful 40 degree days, one 25 below zero day and have had lots of fun.

There is a variety of structure within the contest area. You can fish from 7-65 ft of water. As far as where to fish.....That's up for discussion. I believe a pike has won the contest only once. For several years the pout was king. But the past several years it's been a walleye that's taken first prize. Some years lots of fish are caught and others not very many.

One thing for certain is the event is for a great cause and it's one heck of a party. You sure run into a few characters out there.

[koeps]

You will need to prepare for all weather conditions--but watch the tv before. Remember that wind will be a factor out there. As far as the fishing goes-it is all fun no matter where. you will want to have a couple of rods with and rigged up in different ways to be able to change fast. there is alot of depth difference in the area so have some extra weights with and this year there is a pressure ridge where the circle usually is so they havent decided which way to move it yet. Another way to catch big fish,ie. northerns or even eelpout -is the set rig with frozen ciscoes. We have used that in the past during the regular year and caught some larger pout. Our shop will have that and all your other bait needs--WE will also have a parking area out front that will have the shuttle buses running-we are only a couple of miles north of the derby area.Also there is a Subway here so if you might want to take a sandwich with-they can set you up!!!Hope to see you and others-and good luck to all-it will be a blast!!--Bill Erickson

[Fish Forever]

Thanks everyone for all of your tips. I really looking forward to it. It sounds like dressing really warm is the key. Being on a open lake from 9-4 can get quite cold. Can you bring clear plastic with you as a wind break? I know the rules say no wind breaks but if it was clear would that be legal? Also without a windbreak is it worth bringing out a heater? All I know is I'm going to bring plenty of antifreeze for the blood and sit back and enjoy people watching. Thanks to all that responded.