Everything I need to know about Icefishing

[Captain B.R.K]

Cluelessfisherman--- You probably already know, but www.fishingminnesota.com has great reports to all the areas of Minnesota. It is set up just like this site, in that you can click on whatever area you are interested and then click on the subject or create your own subject and type away.
The guys there are great and sometimes those forums can get a little heated. Great information.
Another place I'd recommend, but you have to join is Ice Team great group of guys there too. The likes of Dave Genz and the perch patrol and Barry Woods "Woods Fairly Reliable Guide Service". Check into that!
I'll make this end fast.....
Rods....Spend the money and go with a Dave Genz Lightning Rod or spend a little more dough and go with the Thorne Brother rods
Reels....This is a mixed bag. There alot of smaller reels out there for the pickins. I don't have one that I favor most.
Line....I have the Berkely ice fishing line (it's the light grey line) excellent stuff. If you are fishing deeper water, don't be afraid to with some Fireline. It comes in smaller spools for those ice fishing endeavors.
Lures....This is a run of the gamit and you have already gotten everyones opinion. My best luck has always been glow lures, anything glow (Yellow, red, blue) I like the Northland tackle buckshoot spoons 1/8ounce, mini chubby darters (any kind), and anything from Scenic Tackle *I think*(Rat Finke's, Demons, etc.) in sizes 6 and 8. You should be set for a starting out.
YOU WILL HAVE MORE FUN IF YOU CAN STAY WARM.
IF YOU CAN PURCHASE A HOUSE...GREAT. IF NOT, DON'T GOT OUT ON SUBDEGREE DAYS. IT WILL MAKE YOUR ADVENTURE A DRAG and YOU WON'T ENJOY THE SPORT. Tight Lines.

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 11-19-2002).]

[Matchman]

Hi Fellas,

I'm so glad clueless had the seeds to post this question. I'm in the same spot he is. I have a buddy that's more experienced that I get out with every now and then (he's even been generous enough to let me use his gear before I break my own bank) but I'd like to learn lots more. Another specific question - I've seen a lot of stuff about bait but I don't know the basics. What's a fathead, crappie, sucker etc. minnow and what are they used for? What about waxies and euro larvae?

I'm really excited to learn all the techniques. I know for sure that it sucks staring into a hole hoping to catch fish. Bring it on, fellas!

Thanks!

Match

[cluelessfisherman]

Thanks for everyones help. I appreciate you taking the time to help me out.

I got three main points out of all the posts:

1) Stay warm, be comfortable - so I will be sure to invest in some better boots and clothing for this winter - that was my big problem last year, I would have to sit in the truck with the heater roaring to get feeling back in my toes every hour or so.

2) Go fishing with folks that know a thing or two - Jeff and ScottS, theres no way out of it now, you offered and I will hunt you down if I have to!!

3) Vex - This may be a little advanced for me, but maybe, just maybe, if I get enough money for Christmas, I may have to blow it and buy this gadget that every one swears by.

As for all the latest fishing lures - I'm sure I will walk out of Blue Water tomorrow with a bag full of goodies!

Thanks again for all your help and feel free to keep the suggestions and info coming!

Clueless - -

[Steve Foss]

Clueless: This is why I like this site. These are the most helpful guys you could want to know.

Next time I'm ice fishing at Beltrami, I'll post you about it on the Bemidji forum. I'm not as experienced as some of the guys here, but this will be my fifth or sixth year (lost count), and I know Beltrami and have all of the toys and just barely (ha ha) enough tackle.

Whoever you get out with, have a blast. Everybody can teach you a little something different, but if you're a good open-water fisherman, you'll do fine on ice.

And keep those feet warm!

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Steve Foss
Superior, Wis.
[email protected]

[This message has been edited by stfcatfish (edited 11-22-2002).]

[cluelessfisherman]

Ok guys tome to bring this back up from the dead.

Now that I have a few weeks ice fishing under my belt, I have come up with a few more questions.

I have fished Irving, Plantaganet, Larson, Beltrami, Blackduck, Deer, Julia, and Turtle River. I have had minimal success but did keep some perch out of Irving and Plantaganet and a pike from Beltrami. That's it!!

Anyway, I have some bait questions.
When fishing with minnows on a jig or jigging type lure, do you usually use the whole minnow or the minnow head? When using waxies, do you use just one, or do you gob 2 or 3 on the hook?
When tip-up fishing, how far off the bottom do you tend to set those?

Also, do you catch many fish after dark? I haven't caught a fish yet after sunset, and my feet are so frozen that I don't stay out much after dark. Which brings me to my next question. What would you suggest for a good cheap heater??

Thanks again!

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Clueless - -

[Fishn'Lady]

Glad to see your out there giving ice fishing a try.

We usually use the whole minnow. Hooking the minnow different ways will give it a different presentation. Try several ways like through the lips, by the tail, or by the dorsal fin. One may work better than the other. As far as waxies we use one, hooked through the length of the worm, unless the one is so chewed up I will put another on. I've always made sure the hook doesn't show. I will poke the end all the way through but then back it up to cover it. Tip-up fishing is the hubbies specialty, but I think he generally goes 3-4 feet off the bottom when fishing for northerns. It all depends on the weed line too.

As far as the heater we use the Mr. Heater/Cooker. Depending on where you go it roughly costs around $45.00-$50.00. You could always use a lantern for heat, some put out a lot of BTU's.

I hope this helps. Have fun and good luck!

------------

Hey! Your bobbers gone!

Fishn'Lady

[SpikeRoberts]

I usually start with a whole minnow and let the fish tell me if they want just a part. If you're marking fish that aren't biting [or if not using a Vex, just getting nibbles not bites] downsize; try using just a head or a tail.

With waxies, I usually use one on a small jig and cover the hook as completely as possible like FishnLady. If the fish are agressive enough, I usually upsize 9bigger jig & more waxies) in hopes that a bigger presentation will trigger bigger fish.

Tip-ups with suckers for pike, I usually start 1 1/2' off the bottom and change the depth and/or location every 1/4 to 1/2 hour until I find what they want. Tip-ups with shiners for walleyes I usually start at less than 1 foot off the bottom and change the location but rarely the depth.

In most cases you'll have to give them a choice before they can figure it out, but the fish will tell you what they want.

If you're shelterless, the Mr. Buddy Heater/Cooker is good heater, it really kicks out the heat and will keep your toes warm and your holes open even at pretty cold temps. However, it is susceptible to being blown out by the wind and does burn a lot of propane.

Hope that helps, Good Luck, Spike

[Guest]

Clueless I have a few tips for you on keeping warm.

1- NO cotton socks! Wear thick wool or acrylic and wool blends for socks. This keep moisture from building up and that will aid in heat retention. There are Hi-Tech socks that offer less bulk but wool is a proven winner, and cheaper.

2- Boots need to be roomy, not tight. If you wear a 11 get a 12, or larger. This allows for warm air to be circulated around your feet and keeps you circulation going. A very good and reasonable option is the military surplus cold weather boot often called the Mickey Boot or the Bunny Boot. They are heavy but man they are nice for ice.

3- Dress for success. Again cotton is a poor choice, think fleece and wool and a Gore-Tex shell. Here you can save big too. The military cold weather Gor-Tex parka system and pants can be found at surplus outlets for far less then high dollar Colombia wear, great stuff too. 400 or 200 weight fleece is hard to beat for a under layer.

4- The old saying to keep your hands and feet warm cover your head, is very true. A huge amount of body head escapes from your head, again a fleece hat is a good choice. I like a Thinsulate lined fleece or wool stocking cap. A fleece neck gator that also has a hood is a good buy and well worth the bucks.

5- No booze, coffee is a better option. Alcohol lowers your body temp in the cold.

6- Feed the furnace. Have some chocolate or other high energy calorie rich snacks handy. A simple fuel up can get you blood working better and your brain on line.

I spend lots of hours out after dark on the ice. Most without a shelter, just my Gore-Tex insulated Guide Wear, my fleece vest and gator, a Nissan pint Thermos of hi-test coffee, and a snack to keep me piggy hunting.

If your warm you mind is on the job at hand and not the cold, this ups your fishing odds a lot.

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Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson..><sUMo>

Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
(701)-281-2300

[email protected]

http://ed-carlson.fishingbuddy.com

[rap]

i mainly fish for walleyes and perch. i will put a full minnow on only on dead sticks where it is under a bobber. if i'm jigging with a spoon or jig, i will only put on the minnow head or the tail. if i'm using a swimming lure like a jigging rap, then i don't use any bait. as for waxworms, depends on how the perch are reacting, sometimes 3 will work great, other times 1 will work better. as for tip-ups, i'll usually put mine about 1-2 feet off the bottom... as for fishing after dark, walleyes will bite after dark, but generally perch won't after dark even though you will catch a few sometimes... walleyes see great in low light conditions, perch don't..

[Guest]

Say Clueless
Now that you've been out on the ice a few times, have you experienced the meaning of "Pucker Factor"?

[cluelessfisherman]

No pucker factor yet - sorry to dissapoint ya Gem Eye! Anywho - I got a little heater that rund off the 1 lb coleman cans - that will help make things a little warmer. I also bought a pair of Rocky Snow Stalker Extremes at Reeds in Walker clearance sale for $99!!

Am going to try mu luck ar Red tomorrow and then Winnie the early part of next week. Will keep ya posted on the latest pucker factor updates!

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Clueless - -

[Guest]

I solved the feet problem, and in fact just bought another pair of boots for my son. I always wanted to get the US Mickey Mouse Boots but felt the $100.00 bucks was better spent on other gear. After years of buying all the so called best boots ( and spending tons more) I found a site on the web with Mickey's CHEAP. Bought them last season and never, once had cold feet. Good folks to deal with too! Don't know if they'll allow the site but they always sell on the internet auction sites. Keep Warm, that makes it all enjoyable even if the bites off!

[Guest]

jdr I know where to get them for $29-$40. Depending on the size, or if you want camo, black, or white.

I need to get a new set someday soon, mine are going on 12, I think? Starting to get a bit ratty on the inside, but they still work.

[Matt D]

Backwater Eddy gave some real good advice on keeping warm. Feet (and hands) are almost always the first to get cold. 1) You need roomy boots -- I can move my WHOLE foot in my LaCrosse Icemans. 2) Synthetic (e.g. thermax) under wool socks. 3) Foot perspiration means cold feet; funny as it sounds, try swiping the bottoms of your feet with stick antiperspirant.

One dispute with BE's advice:
Yes, avoid alcohol (it impairs your senses more than it actually lowering your body temp, thus you don't "feel" cold). But, also avoid coffee. Caffeine is a diuretic (causes water loss). Your body actually requires MORE water when it's trying to keep warm. So... to aid the process, take a thermos of hot water, cider, or your favorite caffeine-free flavor. Stuff with sugar will provide an extra boost of energy besides.

Lastly, I was a bit dismayed by all the folks advising, no urging you to run out and buy a Vexilar and/or other expensive equipment. You don't NEED them to catch fish despite what you may hear as "essential" by some here. I cut my teeth ice fishing with a couple $8 fiberglass rods without reels, a 6" hand auger, a 5 gal. bucket, and warm clothes for many years. Once I got up north, a portable and heater were definite must-have's, but I'd still often equal or outfish a friend who'd been here his entire life with persistence, flexibility, and technique. After almost 25 yrs. of punching holes in the ice, I broke down this year and bought a Vex. I like it, but I don't NEED it. I caught far more fish for less money by watching, listening, trying, and learning ... just like you're doing here! Good luck and,

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Best FISHES,
Matt

[Guest]

Wait a minute Eh, I needs my coffee! Jitter juice keeps me on the go-go Eh.

But cider sounds good too, or hot chocolate. Being a coffee junkie, I know it has it's draw backs too. Like caffine headacks...UF-Da!

I do apreciate the advice, as I was not aware it has detrimental effects on your body in the cold.

------------------
Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson..><sUMo>

Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
(701)-281-2300

[email protected]

http://ed-carlson.fishingbuddy.com

[This message has been edited by Backwater Eddy (edited 01-03-2003).]

[Matt D]

BE:

Despite what I said, I can't bring myself to leave the coffee behind either! Just thought I'd provide the info for info's sake. I learned it on a 2 wk dogsledding trip a number of years ago. When you're trying to stay warm in a sleeping bag at -40F (seriously!!!), you do everything you can to avoid the shivers.

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Best FISHES,
Matt

[cluelessfisherman]

Well, had the full pucker factor going today!! Went to Winnie looking for an afternoon evening bite - managed 11 perch and 2 pouts. Caught 3 little eyes as well. Anyway, after getting carried away playing cards in the house, we realized it was quite dark and everyone fishing around us was gone! We didn't know how to get back to Judds - we could see the light, but hard to tell where the road was. Wasn't too much fun trying to cross cracks and ridges in the dark (hey, I have never been on Winnie before) Anyway, I had to sit in the hot tub tonight to calm my nerves!! Can't wait to go out and do it again tomorrow!!

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Clueless - -

[Bobb-o]

clueless drop me a line at [email protected] I can take you out on some area lakes sometime and show you howw it's done (at least according to me)