New Equipment Review

[MN]

At the beginning of the year we all read about and discussed the new greatest things for ice fishing. If you bought it how was it? Examples: 4 stroke auger, Marcum Flashers, whatever... Did it meet the hype and your expectations?

MN

[Northlander]

Im very happy with the rod rocker 2's I got as well as the angle eye jigs. My go to spoons are now the Pro Varmit and JR's Flasher spoons along with my favs from last year the Go Devils and Angel eyes. The LX-5 is a great flasher although I have only used one twice. Im still very happy with my Nilsmaster Auger, the new center point blades have really held the ice well for me.

Best purchase of the winter was my H2Oc and Navionics Premium North Chip. Only way to go if ya live up North. One thing though is I wish it had as good of roads and zoom capability on it as the Lakemaster Chip. Im putting some serious thought about getting one when the new ones come out.

Dream purchase for this summer is a new Lowrance 25c like the one Cheffrey just got! SWEAT!!!

[Tom Linderholm]

Now I just need to get it on the water.

I have fished next to the new Marcum's and do envy the new colors they have.

Northlanders Nils had me spinning in circles drilling holes on the St. Louis this year, I would definately vouch for that auger.

Other than that no big purchases for ice this year, not to say that there aren't some open water opportunities this year.

[Zzapp]

Saw an article here for "Structure-on-a-String" - fake weeds with 40' of cord and a float. First night I tried them I pulled up a 23" 'eye (the DP had the digital cam so no pix for proof) - the only one I've seen thus far. The burbot seem to like them, though; I've pulled a couple of big mamas.

[kudu63]

[Please read forum policy before posting again]

[lrrpinman]

I just bought the Lowrance H2O and the Lakemaster Pro Maps MN chip. All I can say is HOLY dump is it awesome!

[huntingislife]

Umm, let me see.

I bought the 5-pack of structure-on-a-string and the camera sos and am very pleased. The fish really seem to hold in them. I have only used them for panfish so far but I believe they have increased my success. I am gonna try them on red this weekend.

I purchased a lowrance h20 and the lakemaster chip and really like it. It makes it so much easier to chase down fish when you can read the bottom that easy. The detail is awesome.

I picked up an otter lodge and otter den and these houses are fantastic. The construction and durability is awesome. I also got runners, seats, and covers for both. I personally think they are quite light for the size too. I have both of these rigged up with led lights so no more lantern for me.

I upgraded to a strikemaster 8" lazer mag and it is night and day over the old jiffy. I can drill 50 holes without breaking a sweat and that thing flies through the ice.

I just bought a marcum lx-5 and have used it twice. I really like it so far. The true colors are really nice. I don't know what I did before without the zoom. That is such a great feature.

I bought about 6 rods too that are pretty good. Mainly frabill and guide series. I am really getting into using spring bobbers now. They are the real deal. I also like the cajun ice line I have been using. It outfished the clear on consecutive outings so I switched all my rods over to it.

I got rid of the sunflower and got a big buddy and really like the conveniance. I dont have to worry about burning tarps anymore. It is really easy to start and I can shove it against the tarp and out of the way. I also switched from a 20lb to a 11lb pancake. That saves weight and space.

There is probably more that I am just forgetting right now. I guess the next thing would be a wheeler. But that might have to wait unitl next year Its kind of a pain storing all this stuff in my apartment

[tightlines]

New equipment aquired this year:

Nils Master auger is by far the lightest, fastest, best running auger I have owned, and I have owned the other 2 popular augers. Had a bad cutting tip and JP was good to work with. Once we got the blade repaced with the right pitch I became a real beleiver. Pull the trigger and no pushing. This thing does all the work.

Marcum LX-5. Well lets just say I don't know how I fished with out zooming in on the different water columns before this unit came about. Love the new 3 color as well. IR works great. Can fish right next to other flashers and no interference.

Structure on a string. Not so sure about this one yet. Can't see where structure helps when crappies are suspended. Does it? Think they worked better for perch and eyes. Kinda like don't know for sure if it helped this year or not.

Ice Armor suit. Like it as the bibs keep your legs dry and warm. No more wet knees and like the cushioned seat. Like the coat as well. The entire set-up keeps the cold wind out and relatively light. Especially liked the price from Marine General in Duluth. $200.00 end of season discount.

Aqua-View Scout SRT 7" screen. Like the new size screen and clarity. Had a Marcum 550 and like this new Aqua view a lot more. Better picture quality, and much clearer with there night vision technology.Remote Mo-Pod is a must.

Otter II Medium cabin. Had this same otter that I bought 2 or 3 years ago that had the new square tubing. Upgraded because the new model had an extra 3 inches in hieght and an extra 4 inchesof ice out front. Doesn't seem like that would make that much difference but it sure did.

Man I had better not let the wife see this post. I didn't realize I bought so much new stuff this year. She would probably kill me.

[tightlines]

Matt:

I was wondering if your big buddy keeps your shelter's warm enough when it gets below zero with a little wind? Also I see that you are running an 11 pound pancake. How do you hook up the hose? Are you removing the door's from the heater? I have also heard that running the bigger tanks instead of the 1 lb. tanks makes the heater work better. True? I haven't had my BB out yet when it has been really cold and am getting tired of switching those little tanks. Seems like they always run out right when there is a bite going. Thanks Doug

[huntingislife]

Doug,

The heater keeps the house nice and warm. I set the heater on a tub behind and between the seats. The ice doesnt melt as much and the heater is right next to you then. I always seal the bottom of the ice house(the inner flap too thats under your feet) with slush so wind really isnt a factor because none gets in. I just bought the adapter hose and a filter. The filter screws on to the bb first and the hose screws onto that. The doors can stay on because there is a hole in the bottom of the door that the hose can go through. I just wrap the rest of the hose around the handle for transport. I guess I dont know if it makes it work better because I never tried the 1 lbers. Its much cheaper and easier to have the bigger tank. Good luck

[tightlines]

I think I will go ahead and convert. I already have a hose to a sun flower heater. Do you know if that adapter will fit? Which side do you kook hose to? Didn't know about the hole in the door.That makes things pretty easy. I also bank my house with snow. Heading to upper red on the 1st for a few days and really didn't want to buy all those little 1 lb tanks. They are a pain. Thanks for the quick response... Doug

[huntingislife]

Doug,

I don't think that hose will work. It needs a 1lb male end and a 20lb male end on it. You can hook it to either side of the bb though. If you get the quick connect hose you need a pressure regulator but the regular hose works just fine. It is also suggested that you get a filter. Good luck

[Walleyeguy32]

I found that if I hook my hose to the propane filter and connect it to the right side that I must have a 1 lb connected to the left whether it is empty or full for the heater to run on both panels. Otherwise it only runs off of the one side.

[tightlines]

Thanks Matt. Looks like I am off to the hardware store..

[S.D. Ice Angular]

Well I racked up some items also:

2005 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO

Very happy with this I just need to get out more and use it.

Structure on a String

Jury is still out on this one, but the few time I did use them I did catch fish though.

Marcum Lx-i

This works great especially when scouting new areas.

Northland Fishing Tackle

The new “Eye-Dropper & “Air-Plane Jig” have worked really well on pan fish.

[AF POL]

I converted from the sunflower to the Big Buddy also, I have used the one pounders for the first time out until I got the Hose for the 20Lb tnk. WOW so much easier and safer to use in the portable. It keeps me pretty warm too.. Unlike the sunflower, it doesnt heat me out of the shack! the three settings are just about perfect. I wish I could have waited for a month or two to get it.. about 40.00 cheaper now.. oh well that is life.

[Guest]

What is structure on a string?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Skindog--- its a SECRET

Just kidding... new product on the market this year... Chekc out www.ladredge.com to see what it is.

[Jarrod32]

I got a couple new toys this year. I upgraded from my FL-8SLT to an FL-18. And yeah, I know...I actually do like the MarCum (particularly the display) a bit better...but...my boat is already rigged up with the Vex high-speed transducer and mounting kit, so that tipped the scales to the FL-18. I do really like the bottom zoom feature...I never thought that it was that big a deal, and was content with my FL-8...until I used a buddy's FL-18 last year. What a difference...I was convinced.

My other one is a Frabill Arctic Caboose. I actually rather like this shelter. It is certainly not for all uses...there are times when other styles of shelter would be much better...but it is a pretty handy unit for a lot of the fishing that I do.

[SomethingFishy*]

New this year:

Otter Lodge with 2 seats, cover, and hyfax. -Loving it-

Strikemaster Lazer Mag Express - works with no problems-

Marcum LX-3tc - I don't know how I fished without it, just picked up a second one so my girlfriend stops stealing mine.

Clam Ice Armor Suit- These pants and jacket are awesome I can be outside on the cold and windy all day without fear.

Clam Ice Armor Gloves- These gloves leave a little to be desired. If they wet on the outside they are very cold feeling inside, it's almost a wet feeling without the wet.

[madmax22]

has anyone used the ice armor gloves by clam and liked them cause i dont care for them the liner has came out and i took them back and it happened again and anyone got any thoughts

[Farley]

Got the EyeFinder H2O this year with the lakemaster chip and the first time I used it was up on Pelican for a weekend and we ended up catching 30 walleyes that weekend plus a bunch of slimers. So needless to say, that was a good purchase. Just wish it had more lakes with the 3 foot contours.

Also bought a Croxton Pond ice bag. I dont know what I like more the GPS or this bag. I put 4 rods, and a wood tip up in there plus camera, gps, binocs, regs, 6 spools of line, hand warmers, mantles, batteries ...........you get the idea. And it fits like a backpack for those days you just go sit on a bucket, if anyone even does that anymore.

[Tyler Holm]

My best buy of the season is 2 St. Croix Legend ice rods. Without a doubt they have enhanced my panfish experiences.

[hovermn]

Bought a Fish Trap Pro. Love the shake. It's light, larger then the scout and has a great seat and gear tray.

Otter Cottage package on sale. Much larger 1 man that's very light and has a ton of space! I can fit everything in the sled including the auger which is a huge help considering my truck's pretty small (Isuzu Amigo). Easy to pull and the windows and canvas seem very heavy duty. This is the first otter I've owned and I don't regret my purchase at all.

Otter rod holder. I only wish that I bought two! The rod stand that I used to use only worked with long handle rods. This one works with them all and makes it easy to grab and set the hook. Makes retieing and baiting much easier then placing on the ice.

Marcum LX-3 upgraded. Used it 2 times and thought that it's a huge improvement to the old style. Easy to read, especially at a glance.

Marcum LX-5. Again, very easy to read and I LOVE the fine line feature. Zoom works great as always and I never ever leave home without it.

Ice Well. My god is this thing nice to have! I'm yet to have a fish die in this bag. They're even alive when I get home some 45-50 minutes later! My only dislike is that the fish are sometimes hard to get out with the foam and velcro top. Other then that, it's well worth the money!

Scenic tackle Angel eye jrs. and Go Devils. First time out ice fishing this year I caught my largest Northern jigging with an Angel eye. Caught plenty of pannies and crappies with go Devils. It sure brings in the fish!

Plastics! Ratso's and Shrimpo's. Had a wonderful time out on some Chisago area lakes using plastics for the first time this year. Most of the time they outfished live bait. The fish just devour those little buggers. More often then not I need pliers to get them out.

Huh, when I list it out, I'm surprised I have any money left! It sure was fun, though. Huh, I should head out for an hour or so. All this talk is making my antsy!

[Big D 1]

Started out with a Vex Fl18 ultra

Then a Frabill Triplex and Mr. Buddy heater (still have the Mr HEater/cooker juuuust in case)

Last weekend got sick of dragging the triplex on the 8" of ice, so I bought a new Honda Foreman Rubicon 500...won't get much out of her this year, but next year look out

Many, MANY MANY misc accessories, jigs, etc, etc, etc

Wow, I still have money left too....sheesh