Ice fishing isn’t just about finding that perfect lake. Ice fishermen have to not only be adequately prepared with the right equipment, but also be thoroughly clothed to withstand the extreme cold. If you are planning an ice fishing expedition, you need to dress in layers. You will want to begin with insulated or thermal underwear and add layers of clothing that are made from wool and fleece. It is important to have some type of all weather material for your outer layer to keep yourself dry.
Don’t stop with your body, however. Since the body loses a large portion of its heat through the head, you always need to wear a hat. Because your hands will be handling wet fish and bait, it is important to bring along several pairs of gloves. You will want to keep your feet as warm as possible by layering pairs of insulated socks. You should invest in waterproof boots. You may also need to use cleats on the soles of your boots to prevent any slipping on the ice. You will also want to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun on the ice.
Once you have outfitted your self adequately, you can concentrate on your fishing equipment. You may want to keep your equipment load as light as possible, especially if you are walking very long distances. You will also need to invest in a good ice drill. Typically, you get what you pay for, so if you plan on doing a lot of ice fishing, you will want to buy a good ice drill. You also need to have some type of ice scoop. You will use this to scrape away the slush that can form in your ice hole.
You can spend a little money or a lot of money on your tackle. You will need to have the following basic equipment, though. Your rods should be equipped with large guides and sensitive tips, and many ice fishermen prefer micro-spinning reels with a 4-8 pound ice test line. You will need split-shot weights and ice-fishing bobbers. Your supplies will also include some type of small scissors or clippers for cutting lines and needle-nose pliers for removing stubborn hooks.
Ice fishermen generally recommend bringing a five gallon bucket for many purposes. You can keep live bait in it if you have a lid. You can use it for a seat. You can keep the fish you catch in it. You can also bring a compass, ice pick, and of course hooks, jigs and spoons. If you are planning on staying for a while, you might want to bring a propane heater, lantern, flashlight, extra batteries and matches.
Of course locating the fish is extremely important if you don’t want to waste precious time. Many anglers use electronic fish finders. If you don’t have one of these, you may have to spend some time digging several holes until you find the fish. It is always a good idea to look for some type of structure which might attract the fish. You can dig near points, cliffs, and boulders. You may also have to try varying your depths until you find a productive hole.
You will also discover that different fish tend to bite at different times of the day. You can try a variety of live baits or use lures. Once you have discovered what is working, you concentrate on using that method. Some people like to add a little fish scent or chum to the hole to entice the fish.
Once you have hooked the fish, you may want to let him run a little with the bait to ensure that he swallows the bait and securely hooks himself. The trick is to get him out of the water and onto the ice without losing him. Hopefully, you have not cut your ice hole larger than your waist. You don’t want to risk getting overly excited and falling into your hole. Ice fishing can be an inexpensive but exciting hobby for anglers of all ages. Winter doesn’t have to be the end of fishing season for you if you take up the fun sport of ice fishing.
