What equipment would you get?

[luv2fish]

So here is my situation. I have had a pretty good run of luck on the poker tables lately. I have got about $700 of cash. In this case I want to buy some ice-fishing equipment (instead of gambling more and losing). I have ice-fished with some of my die hard buddies before. All I have for equipment is 1 rod. I also have a 4 year old son who loves going fishing with me in the boat, and we both want to try the ice this year..... So with that kind of cash, what would you get?

Right now I have a line on a used Jiffy gas auger for $88. I think it is a given I will buy that from my buddy. I also have a used suitcase style portable I can buy for around $125. But I am wondering if I should step up and get a sled type? Also, since I have the $700 it seems like a Vexilar or Marcum will be in my purchase. Before I fished with my buddies using them, I didn't think they were that needed. But holy dump it was fun and exciting watching them fish with the vexilars.

Thanks for the input!

[Deitz Dittrich]

If you look down the page for a post by Pete Riola, they are selling the Marcum LX-3 for $300 I believe... an awesome deal! An underwater camera would be fun too.. however you may want to sink some money into lures and a few more rod/reel combinations.

There is a Hot Spot Video comming up very soon that will be dealing with the things you are talking about.. it will be called. Ice Fishing 101.. It should be out in the next few days. I also just finished an article with Matt Johnson that should also help you out a bit... look for that on the lead FishingMinnesota.com page as well.

[Jarrod32]

$700 should get you set up pretty well...get yourself a decent flasher, like you said...maybe the LX-2, LX-1, or FL-8 in the $300 range...

If that auger is good, you've spent about $400 or a little more...

As for a shelter, it depends on what kind of fishing you want to do. If you are going to set up on a spot and stay there for a while (or all day), then the suitcase style is the way to go. But...if you plan on moving around a lot (which you may want to do to find and stay on the fish), the sled style will be much easier. And particularly at early ice, before you can drive out...the suitcase style will be harder to get out to your spot if you have to pull it. $300 may get you a decent flip-over...get the shelter that best suits your expected needs. And think about saving a few dollars...you'll need to get a couple tip-ups, another jigging rod or two, you'll need a heater for the shelter, etc.

[SportFishin']

IMHO,

I would ditch the suitcase style house & purchase a sled style portable. This will offer you more portability with the 4yr old & quicker shelter set-up for the little one also.

The sled not only gives you a place to haul your equipment in, but also offers you a safe place for the youngster to sit while moving from spot to spot.(**not long distance ice travel though!**)

Look at HSOList for flashers I picked up my FL-8 for $112.00 NIB. Got really lucky on that score!

Good Luck with your shopping!

Chris

[Mudcat21]

Sweet run at the poker table! Good work on deciding to put the winnings to some fun stuff for you and your son. Now on to the wish list....Power Auger a must, I would go with a sled style portable (easier to move around), Some type of heater, A new pole for your son (Either a jiggin' stick or a little rod reel combo, (I use jiggin' sticks with my daughter that way I don't feel too bad when she looses interest and the fish takes the pole down the hole, trust me it happens), I would get a couple tip ups too (Kids love seeing a big northern come up out of the hole), little tackle box filled with different jigs, and of course if you can swing it the Vexilar!

[New Yankee]

L2F - I'm looking at portables as well, and one rep gave me some advice that seemed sound. He said fishing with the little men with flip ups will usually have them on the ice since they'll have problems staying/sitting still. If it's cold out, and they want to run around outside, the 'flip' will lose all your heat. Now, one of the big sleds may be the best of both worlds?

I'm still conflicted myself, so wouldn't mind hearing more opinions. For the most part, unless we get a hard winter I expect I'll be walking out.

[sunnyj]

$700 and icefishing on the mind would only mean one thing to me. More Beer Seriously though I would consentrate on a good shelter. With the young one with keeping him warm will allow you to stay on the lake longer, improving your chances and keeping him intrested in the best way to spend the winter.

PS also stock up on clamps

[FL SNIPER]

Here's my opinion:

1= buy that auger pronto (if she runs, can always get a tune up on it as well) $100

2= buy one of those big flip houses with a door in it so you don't lose heat when the kid goes in and out $400

3= with the remaining $200 buy gear: heater, lantern, rods, tip ups, tackle, etc.

Then you have the basics to go ice fishing.

4= for xmas tell everyone to give you gift certificates to gander mtn (or your sports store choice) as xmas presents. Use those plus take some money off your buddies at cards and then buy a good flasher for about $350 or so.

Then you will have everything you need: auger, house, heater, lantern, tackle, and flasher.

Like anything you get into...it always cost a bunch of $$ to start...but then each year after, you spend less and less and really feel good about the investments you made!

[luv2fish]

Wow!!! Thanks for the input so quickly. I too am leaning towards the sled option. The only thing that makes me hesitate is the weight.... Friends I have talked to said they love their sleds, but they have 4-wheeler's to pull them with. Is pulling a sled by hand tons of work??? I do like the idea of throwing the equipment and the boy in sled and start pulling.....

I might need a few more dollars though.... Might have to hit the tables one more time. Can anyone suggest a cheaper sled type to get? I know the otter is the best, but man they are expensive!!

Last thing to add. Although I do not have ice fishing stuff. I am an avid hunter, camper, and fisherman. So Lantern's, heaters, and general stuff like that I have.

[FL SNIPER]

There might not be any problem with that suit case style fish house you're looking at...and it would be considerably cheaper than a nice flip over model. I have one of those suit case fishshouses too...works out very nice when there's three of us fishing and we know we are not moving around much. I just lay it on a metal runner sled and then pile my gear on top of it....pulls out easy. Once you're able to drive out that makes setting up a snap no matter how big a house you have.

As far as pulling out a flip over...I made a sled out of old skis and plywood that i set my flip over on when I have to walk out in snow. Works well. When it's glare ice...the flip over by itself pulls easy, as long as you have spikes on your feet.

[cold one sd]

Luv2fish, I have a Jigger DLX made by Shoremaster Fabrics. It is a 2 person flipover that is fairly inexpensive and works well for my son and I. It has plenty of room for the two of us and we have fished three in it. Crowded with three though. It isn't one that you can stand up in, but I like them compact. My son and I are both 6'4'' tall. It pulls easy on bare ice and you have to do some tugging in the snow. I think I paid about $325.00 for it a couple of years ago. The door is in the back of the tub but would be fine for a little guy. The tub is large and has room for lots lof stuff. Sorry though as I doesn't come with any big names on the outside.

[TroutAngler]

Check out the Eskimo Quickflip II. It's around $300 and the quality is greatly improved over the last few years. I've got one and I love it. I've fished in all of them and the difference between them is not all that noticeable. I have a 4 year old fishing buddy too and we rarely walk that far, so pulling hasn't been an issue. It pulls just fine behind a sled too.

[live_2_fish]

I have an Eskimo Quickflip 2 also. It is really nice. No problems yet. I like it. Its the first sled type portable i have had but me and my buddy fish together in it and it is really roomy. Hard to pull in deep snow though. It has a zipper door. And flips of course.

[Pete Riola]

We have LX1's too for $225.00. Nice starter unit great price and brand new with full warranty.

[wolfwood]

I have the qf3 and love it if your woried about they kids not sitting their and having to play on the ice inside the selter your could build a floor out of plywood to sit on the ice. plus you might not need as big of a heater then ofcource I get by with a single burner mr. heater and stay warm enuff no matter what temprature

[Captain B.R.K]

If that auger purrs like a kitten, go for it! As for a fishhouse, I'd definately ditch the suitcase style and go with a portable sled type (Otter or Fishtrap) house. You'll be glad you did because they are less work and double up as a tow/carry sled to put your gear in.

With the extra money, I'd buy yourself some electronics! Some of the above models are a good start.

Good Luck!

[wolfwood]

one more thing I have learned from past experince is to get the piece of equipment you really want the first time it saves money in the long run if you really want a flip style house its cheaper to pay the $300-$400 now than it is to get a cheaper model for a year or two then pay another chunck of change for the one you really want

[luv2fish]

I just wanted to post a quick update. And thank everyone for all the feedback. So right now here is what I have got.

Otter Wilderness Walleye at Fleet Farm for $319

Marcum LX1 (as advertised on this site) $225

Various poles and tipups at Cabelas $80

And I found out that my wifes uncle who winters in Florida has an auger that I can have for free!!!

Next to buy...

Custom Jigs and spins around $75

Lake Master for my GPS $49

And getting a heater for christmas.

I spent a good 4 hours sitting in the fishouse in the garage this weekend with my 4 year-old. We had our poles in our hands pretending to fish. Right now I am not sure who is more excited, myself or my son.

Thanks again!

[Jim Hudson]

luv2fish

Sounds like your well on your way for a successful ice season!!! And I hear you about getting excited, I love the hardwater season...

Good luck this year man!!

[CrappieJohn]

Luv2.....

The two biggies you will need outside of these "comfort articles" you already have gathered are patience and a sound understanding of the fish you will persue. More than anything, patience.

I would suggest tossing a notebook and a bunch of pencils in a ziplock and keep these in the sled all the time. Pay attention to every dinky detail and make a note of it when things get slow. Jot down when you start each trip, what the weather is like in detail, what the underwaer(ice) details were (ie: depth,weeds, lure, bait), what the timeframe was when hot bite occurred. ....you get the drift here. Even that flasher will have little details that you will want to note. Details, details, details....the smallest are the easiest to forget and are very often the most important shortcut to success the next time out. Its all about details and these are not going to be purchased but observed. So the closer attention you pay to what you are doing and why things happen, the more helpful all those create comfort toys will become to you!

[Northlander]

Well said Tom. You hit it right on the head. Often times the smallest detail will land you more fish.