equipment help for ice fishing

[mrpike1973]

hi im just starting up ice fishing i have a clam5600 house, hand auger, 2 tip ups, mr buddy heater, ice scoop i primaraly fish pike with tip ups do i really need a fish finder or a power auger. i guess my question would be whats better power auger or fish finder and do i need ice rods if i only fish pike. anything else im missing

[Farley]

I would go with the power auger myself. Most guys will probably say flasher but there is something to be said about being able to drill 20-30 holes when the ice is 2 feet thick. Hand augers are great for early ice\late ice but unless you have a GPS, you'll probably be searching a lot which means drilling a lot of holes. Especially if you fish with tip-ups I dont see the need for a flasher. But either way you cant go wrong. I would also definetly get yourself set up with a rod for jiggin in the house. If youre fishing northerns make sure to use power pro or fireline on the reel, it makes big differnce, just dont hold your finger on the line when you set the hook, that line cuts fingers pretty easlily when you got a decent pike on.

What lakes do you fish mostly? If they are popular lakes like Mille Lacs, Tonka, Winnie, or whatever a IFinder GPS with the chip might do you some good. The High Def maps on the chip are unbelievably accurate and show more structure than you can imagine. So that means you'll be on the spot faster, which means drilling a lot less holes and if I only had a hand auger that is valuable time and effort. If you fish mostly small lakes it wouldnt benifit much since the map quality isnt near what it is for the bigger, more popular lakes. Other than that you seem to be good to go.

[SP180]

there is not a lot of need for a flasher when you only target pike with tip ups. Save your money on a flasher and buy a power auger. You will be happier and if some day you choose to fish other species you can get a flasher then.

[tweeder]

+1 for auger...

flasher doesn't do a whole lot of good if you are spending all day hand drilling holes. flasher are fantastic for pan fishing and walleyes but when I go tip up fishing, I don't even bring the flasher...

[Johnny_Da_Der]

Auger - for sure.

hand drilling holes through a couple feet of ice gets old really quick.

[Iambjm]

Auger, you can always watch for a used flasher later.

[Mainehazmt]

Agree Auger make sure ya check out the icegator!!

[toughguy]

flasher vote here, but you don't need either one. Most of the guys that have been ice fishing for years will tell you that they started out with a bucket, an old ice pole (no reel), an ice scoop, a chisel or hand auger, and a winter coat. That's all you really need. The toys are nice, they help you catch more fish, and make your life easier but I had some of my best times on the ice with out all the toys I have now.

[Sandmannd]

Note from Admin, Please read forum policy before posting again,thank you.

[ameyers41]

I agree with Sandmannd. Go used and you can get both for the price of one new!

[SP180]

Note from Admin, Please read forum policy before posting again. Thank-you.

[Jari Razskazoff]

Year 1.

Power auger, printed map,pakshack, and poles.

Mid year 1.

Flasher, buddy heater

Year 2.

Dave Genz Fish Trap,radio,lantern

Year 3.

GPS+lakemaster chip,arctic armour,

Year 4.

4wheeler/sled,

[Valleye]

If you are only going to fish for Pike and w/tip ups. There is really no need for a flasher if you know the lake you are fishing on. The Auger gives you the ability to drill some big holes and more holes for your tip ups. If you are going to get some rods and start jigging then maybe a flasher.

So "power" auger would be my choice. If you check the auction websites maybe you can find both for the price of one!

[jwhjr]

Power auger would be the first choice for me (I got mine first and a used FL-18 the second season).

[harvey lee]

Watch the for sale items on this forum for many different used ice fishing items. They should be up for sale soon.

[Random guy]

Get yourself a good Jiffy auger with a 9-10 bit for big pike. Then catch a monster and get the flasher and other on memo or promo since you now hold the state record pike...really its that simple.

Serious I would get a auger first then look into flashers.

[Frozenfoot]

Auger #1 for sure. Eskimo makes a great auger for the price, ideal for just starting out

[Jari Razskazoff]

I just picked up the Lowrance H20 C, and the lakemaster chip... so cool! I cant wait to use it this winter.