What makes an exceptional ice fisherman?

[Shack]

Jim,

LOL!

hanson,

Very good points.

[walleyedan]

Some good stuff. Passion and experience and all of the other things you guys have listed. The people that are really good are born fishers.

Walleyedan

[robbo17]

Sorry, But if being classified as a exceptional ice fisherman is on how many you caught and how big they are I don't want to be one. The greatest accomplishment for me as a fisherman is taking my kids out teaching them what i know, and sitting back and watching them catch some fish.

Just my 2 cents.

[blueroof]

 Originally Posted By: PerchJerker

As for drinking while fishing

Personally I often have beer while fishing, more so on ice than open water. Although I prefer to drink local micro brews while at home, I find that Canadian beer is the best for fishing and landing those lunkers.

Far ahead of having the right bear is doing as many of you have suggested, putting your time on the water, doing your research, not being afraid to try something new and using the correct equipment for the situation at hand. Luck and availability of free time during favorable fishing conditions also plays a good part in it.

LB

[Wallyeyes]

I agree! With you all. I like to catch fish, and the bigger the better, and the more the better. But I don't have to catch to enjoy my time out on the ice or in a boat. I like beer. A LOT. I drink it while fishing. I love Frito's, but I keep my hands clean. I ALWAYS take my trash with me. ALWAYS.

To be a truly great fisherman, is to be a truly great fisherman in your mind. If you have prepared your self and your equipment beore every visit to the water and have intended to enjoy that time, then you must be a great fisherman.

I am not a professional fisherman. But, my kids think I am. And since they like to fish too, it makes for some great times.

[Borch]

Lots of good points. I've found that there are lots of ways to catch fish. Some fisherman are just better at finding and catching fish than other guys are. The characteristics that I would rank as most important are.

1. First is knowledge of fish location, movements and tendancies. Knowledge is most important. This includes includes thinking "Outside the box" when looking for and catching fish.

2. Persistance is next on my list. The best fisherman just don't give up. They fish longer, harder, cover more water and tries more variations in tackle and technique than the typical fisherman.

3. Concentration is next on my list. This covers everything from focusing on electronics, reacting to subtle strikes, noticing patterns that are productive as well as those that are not.

4. Equipment is also very important. Makes the fisherman more efficeint and effective if he or she learns to use it properly and the end result is more fish in the ice. Good equipment alone is not a substitution for the first three on my list though.

Way way down on the list is luck. Yes it does have it place. For instance if I'm working a large flat and get into good fish by just drilling a few holes I'll chalk that up to luck. But I find that most good fisherman make their own luck.

[late night]

Fritos! Never tried them but I did, hands down, out fish a buddy sitting right next to me one time. I was eating Lays BBQ chips, he had original. I honostly think the fish that night liked the little bit of flavor I was leaving on the jig.

[clamtrap]

time on the water and tring new things

[Random guy]

Its very simple

Q:What makes an exceptional ice fisherman?

A: A individual that doesn't care if he/she catches the biggest most or has the latest gear, a person that does it just because they love ice fishing. Nothing more nothing less.

Some of the best anglers I have met through the years didn't realize or even care how exceptional they really where.

[andrew chadwick]

mobility, and more mobility.

[WhiskeyPete]

 Originally Posted By: fiskyknut

Golly I thought all it took these days was one of those fancy blue suits!!!

Seriously though I think there is no substitute for experience, add a dose of patience along with your confidence, and always bring a horseshoe or a Rabbits foot!

fiskyknut

After a beer or two, I'm full of confidence and patience. And if you ask me at that very moment, I just might be the most experienced ice fisherman on the lake!! Ha! Ha!

[metrojoe]

As long as your buying Pete, you are the most experienced fisherman on the lake.

[CrappieAttitude]

An exceptional ice fisherman is one who is able to take information that they have gained by researching a lake, locating structure that they have learned over years and going on their own to locate such structure and catch fish.

Someone who enjoyes the solitude that can only come from being away from the villages and still be productive. Another characteristic needed to be "exceptional" is to be thinking about benefiting the lake each and every time they are out. Someone who is ok leaving a lake without their "limit" every outing and who enjoys releasing fish as much as they do seeing them in the bottem of the bucket.

CA

[DARTER]

The guy who has 5 thousand fish and 5 posts

[McGurk]

 Originally Posted By: DARTER

The guy who has 5 thousand fish and 5 posts

If we're talking ratios, the guy with 1 fish and no posts has you beat.

[DARTER]

If we're talking ratios, the guy with 1 fish and no posts has you beat.

[TroyMcClure]

Actually I feel like the most important ratio is the amount of beer/schnapps you can drink compared to your ability to tie a new jig on and pull up the next fish.

I fish with polarsusd81 all the time, and I have pictures where I am balancing a beer, a cigar, and a large bass at the same time.

What makes an exceptional fishermen has nothing to do with who is catching fish and the quality of those fish. It has everything to do with CONSERVATION, RESPONSIBILITY, and STEWARDSHIP.

Without those things, there won't be an opportunity for the next generation to be exceptional.

[Shack]

Troy,

Are you the reason Tom is against indulging him self out on the ice .

[Ebiz]

"Are you the reason Tom is against indulging him self out on the ice"

I'm not sure I would go fishing with anyone who indulges himself on the ice

[polarsusd81]

No, he is not the reason I am against indulging myself on the ice, I am just the sober cab back home or to the resort or whatever. I kinda have a problem with drinking and driving. I don't have a problem with enjoying a few here and there as long as it is done responsibly.

[The Grebe]

What makes an exceptional ice fisherman....Hummmm, I'd say a very understanding wife!

[jigging-matt]

I'll second that one.

[Shack]

Just joking Tom!

I had to take the shot .

I am with ya 100%.

[kwiggy]

A good fisherman is one who buys the bait, a great fisherman is......... the guy who brings the beer!!! The exceptional fisherman is......... the sober guy who drives them off. Hats off to someone who can hang with a beer drinker, have fun, and drive them home.

After that who cares what makes you what... it is the experience of being together and having fun with family and friends while being safe. That is what makes fishing.... exceptional.

[TroyMcClure]

Tom doesn't "indulge" on the water because after one beer I have to carry him home.

I am just saying that he may be able to catch a buzz better than he can catch a fish.