What should I buy?

[pikehunter]

All right fellas, I need some SERIOUS advice here, and there's only one group that I know can offer it.
I got married a month ago and my place of employment chipped in and gave me $200 worth of gift cards at a local sporting goods/outdoors store (which will remain nameless.)
All my ice gear is still in great shape, (house, FL-8, auger, etc.)andI know the smart thing to do would be to wait until ice season is closer and use it for the re-stocking of my tackle box, but the idea of making one signifigant outdoors purchase is growing on me.
I need your help ... What should I buy?

[Gissert]

Those new Buddy heaters that use two one pounders look pretty sweet. They have three output settings going up to 18000 btu.

[D. Stadler]

Maybe the Strike Sensor system for tip-ups if you don't have it already. I think its about $50 and well worth it. or some good "Guidewear" waterproof bibs. I couldn't live without mine! Dave S

[SPIN DRY]

New blades for the auger, new battery for the fl-8, new house liscene, mantles the little things will eat that up in a hurry. Good luck

[opsirc]

how about a hand held GPS if you do not have one.

O

[augernaut]

I would second the GPS, if you don't already have one. If you do, then go with the auger blades, etc. How about 2 way radios?

[ivegottabite]

i'd agree with augernaut-
a gps or two ways, those would be my first things to buy if i had money to burn

[This message has been edited by ivegottabite (edited 09-16-2004).]

[Dennis Steele]

GPS
I think its one of the best tools for the ice fisherman.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I don't know about the rest of the fellas, but I've fallen in love with the ice buster bobbers. I'd definately be getting some of those. And I know this probably sounds stupid, but I can't remember how many times I've ran out of bobber stops. It's always the little things that will get ya.

Don't forget the beer and chips, also.

[mudman]

GPS and a bottom finder set!!

[PikeTipper]

GPS if you don't have one and some quality lake maps.

[Matt Johnson]

I would also have to say a GPS.

Good Fishin,
Matt Johnson

------------------
Matt Johnson Outdoors
[email protected]
Metro Area Ice Fishing and more...

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[pikehunter]

Gentlemen,

Thanks so much for your help ... hopefully I'll shake free to do some shopping this weekend.
Thanks much!

-Pikehunter

[Northlander]

A good pair of boots is always a good idea. The GPS is also a great thing. You may want to check out JR Tackles new icefishing rod/reel combos. Nice!

[Lost]

An auger for me. I've got a hand crank auger that wears me out fairly quickly. Great exercise though!

[pikehunter]

Fellas,

Thanks so much for your help! After much thought, I purchased a Lowrance iFinder this weekend. I can already tell it's going to be my most significant fishing investment since the FL-8. (I also can see that there may be ice on the lake by the time I completely learn how to use it!)
Again, thanks for all your input!

-pike

[pikehunter]

Ha! I noticed you were doing some shopping around as well! (I had been reading some of the responses to your posts as well.)
I've got the iFinder Pro. It has all the options I was looking for. I think it will do the trick.
I'll probably purchase the Navionics software sometime soon - but not until I get a little bit more comfortable with the system as is.
Good luck!

[Bob_D]

Ivegotabite,
Try Maptech.com. They have online maps for some lakes that you can get gps# from. Just remember that those #'s will only get you close to the structure. Things tend to move over time.

I have the Navonics chip for mine and I like it a lot. I've used it on my other Lowrance units for 2 years and it helps get me close to where I need to be much more quickly.

[ivegottabite]

pikehunter--
which lowrance model did you buy?? i got the h2o this weekend and i'm hoping to master also. guy in the store made it look simple, let me know if you get the navionics software. i didn't get it yet but hoping to find out were i can look at maps to program waypoints on my gps.

[ivegottabite]

pikehunter--
well i must have picked a good brand, i see you bought the same. yeah, it is very helpful checking out other posts because you never know if you will get the same information. i just have to talk the boss into letting me buy the navionics. have to sweet talk her into getting it as a nice x-mas gift!