Too much ice fishing equipment?

[anyfishwilldo]

Can a person have too much equipment? My wife sure thinks so. She has been chewing my butt all summer to get rid of some stuff, but I just can't part with my treasures. I only have a Clam X2, Yukon, 5600, a Mankato 4x6, a Canvas Craft 8x8, and I just bought a Clam Sleeper. Also, a FL18, FL8, Aqua-view, H2OC, a dozen or so rods, and a 4 wheeler. I don't think I have too much stuff. It is always nice to have extra for the friends who don't have any. What can I do to get her off my case?

[zamboni]

Remind her of all of her pairs of shoes, jewelry, etc. Usually helps. But to be quite honest- why have like 40 houses?

[anyfishwilldo]

Not 40, just 6. I keep finding good deals, and can't pass them up. Plus, I let my dad use some when he wants.

[LeRoy_Metz]

you must not have children,our you are very wealthy to have so many houses .Our do you work for FEMA

[zamboni]

If it was FEMA- they'd be 5th wheel trailers

[DunceenKen]

I don’t think I guy ever has enough “Ice fishing gear” get your wife hooked on ice fishing and you definitely will never have enough stuff.

[freezdried]

Hey you wont hear me saying you have too many houses. I too like my ice fishing stuff. if you want her to stop complaining about it just stay home the first week of good ice and complain about it to her, I bet she will help load what ever you buy from now on. Just a thought

[hanson]

I would unload some houses and maybe upgrade the rod/reel & tackle selection.

Most of the time now, I don't even fish in the shack.

Its funny how I used to look at guys fishing without shacks as beginners, rookies, or just couldn't afford a nice house.

Now I look up to the guys who DON'T fish in shacks. Its about mobility and finding fish and a shack can slow you down. I really look up to the guys who've figured out how to do this on super cold & windy days. Its a struggle and a fight but I believe it yields big rewards as well. Gotta move, move, move!

[LeRoy_Metz]

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If it was FEMA- they'd be 5th wheel trailers

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Zamboni the FEMA comment was a joke i was trying to be funny,heck i would love to be able to have all these houses. more power to him.

[123fish]

They would be 5th wheel trailers plus inhabitable because the canvas would contain harmful molds. Sorry, couldn't resist.

[so haaad]

I don't think a person can have "too much" ice fishing stuff if you actually use it. I have a one-man Otter and a two-person house Clam and use both. I've also upgraded some of my rods over the last couple of years to Thorne and St. Croix, but mainly because I've taken on another hobby of building my own ice rods.

If your ice stuff sits in the garage most of the time, then it's time to give it to someone who will use it.

[cold one sd]

Give her the check book or credit cards send send her to a jewelry store by herself. All you have to say is "Enjoy yourself today honey." and she will take care of the rest by herself. I can remember when the wife of one of my buddies bought a $1,200.00 dinner ring and had the bill sent to him. Maybe it was because he had just spent about 4k on a trap gun.

[Deitz Dittrich]

As other have stated, you may be a bit high in your portable fish house collection. She may be looking at the space they take up, and not so much how much moolah you have invested. I myself am a depthfinder junkie.. I have 4, which all get used when friends go with. But I only have 2 portable fish houses. No clue how many rods and reels I have,, or gear for that fact.

[blueroof]

Sorta odd that you have 6 houses, yet only 12 or so rods. I'd pick up a dozen more rods to get a higher house/rod ratio and see if that calms her.

lb

[rocki]

hanson, you hit the nail on the head! I built a perm this year only to use as a sleeper, so after i have been out in the elemets all day, i have a nice warm spot to keep on fishing all night long!

[augernaut]

I'm going to go way out on a limb here and say that yes, you can have too much ice fishing equipment. Your buddys that don't have shacks - sell them one of yours :-) Keep both locators, good to have a backup. A dozen rods - yeah, I can see that if you are a multi species fisherman. For me, I try to keep simple and minimalist. The less gear you carry the more mobile and active you can stay. That is the key to catching fish.

[anyfishwilldo]

Well, I took some advise, and sold some houses. 3 to be exact. The Yukon, 8x8, and the first house I ever bought, the old Mankato. Now I've got an extra gran to spend on more rods. Actually, just 500 because that is how much I told the wife I sold them for, and generously offered her the money. Now she is happy because she thinks I sold my stuff, and gave her ALL the cash. Now I just can't wait until the Thanksgiving layoff, then I've got all winter to use my remaining 3 houses.

[zamboni]

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Quote:

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If it was FEMA- they'd be 5th wheel trailers

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Zamboni the FEMA comment was a joke i was trying to be funny,heck i would love to be able to have all these houses. more power to him.

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I too, was joking

[LeRoy_Metz]

oh,ok . take care

[hanson]

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Now I've got an extra grand to spend on more rods.

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Well... if you can drop a grand on ice rods, I'll be impressed!

I know a guy can do it, I'm just not sure if its necessary though.

But lets say you want to put $400-500 into good rods. Head to Thorne Bros, and talk to Matt Johnson, and you'll be set. Better yet, head over on the weekend of the Portable Modification Get-Together and you'll save some bucks too!!

My suggestion, best all around rod ever made to ice fish with is a Thorne Bros 28" Perch Sweetheart, put your reel (Abu, Shimano, Tica) of choice on it and you'll be out the door for $100. I would go with 2 of those, a couple Thorne Bros 32" Deadstick rods, and maybe something lighter for panfish as well.