Well i've been reading through the forum and really want to go ice fishing this year. I wanted to go last year but had no gear or the money to get it. Well now i can. So whats a good place to go for ice fishing gear and can someone make a list of the things i would need. I've already got plans to go with a few people but if anyone wants a tag-along this winter give me a holar.
Thanks,
James
[signature]
Not much ice gear out in the stores now , but small crappie jigs (tubes) work great . It all depends on what you want to ice fish for and where . If you have a ice auger then you can fish with any thing thru the ice . I nailed cutts thru the ice on 3" tube jigs . Fishfinders are nice but not necessary . I sure there will be lots of help when the time comes . Have you tried the Ice fishing forum ? It is not all about Utah fishing but a lot of info about it there . I pack way more junk than I should on the ice but I do like to ice fish .
Ice auger
Sled ( to pull your gear out )
5 gallon Bucket is good to carry gear also
Clothing to keep warm . Gloves , hats , coats .
Scooper to clean out the ice from the hole
Ice rod / reel .
Small jigs , ice flies , spoons
heater to warm by .
and the list goes on
[signature]
Hey Liltrout, you'll love ice fishing. The main secret is staying warm.
Since you're at Hill afb, you can rent an auger from the outdoor recreation office for just a couple of bucks. Hooked fishing tackle in Kaysville will have a good selection of stuff soon, and they're very friendly, helpful, reasonable, and sometimes cute.
As the season draws closer, equipment will become more readily available locally, and the discussion will reach a feverish pitch. I spent more money on ice fishing gear last year than I normally spend for a whole year's worth of fishing equipment. That's how addictive it is for me. I work at Hafb too, so maybe we can hook up some time and head out.
[signature]
Thanks for the insite guys... Good to know about the auger to. Saves some money... I'm just getting itchy to go.
[signature]
I agree with you mateo, Hooked is the best place to get ice fishing supplies. When I go into sportsmans to get ice gear they never really have what I am looking for and then they want me to buy stuff I really don't want. Usually they take one look at me and figure they could sell me anything if they tell me it will catch fish.So most of the time I have to set them straight and they leave me alone.
Also heat heat heat. I use a tent and a heater. At my age I need all the heat I can get.
[signature]
And let's not forget that Hooked is the only place in Northern Utah to get the world famous boogers.
Heat's awesome but the most important thing for me is blocking the wind. We usually put the kids in the tent, and then the wif and I fish downwind of the shelter. I'd rather be outside anyways.
I'm looking forward to fishing Mantua this winter. Hopefully I'll get a truck before winter, so I can maybe get to some of the tougher fishing holes this year.
Oh, and Liltrout, keep an eye out for a bft ice fishing party. That's when I got hooked last year. It was a lot of fun, and they had a huge cookout on the ice.
[signature]
Hi LilTrout...
Welcome to the world of cold feet... cold hands...& cold fannies... It's Greeeeate!!!
The list of needs grows everytime you go out, so start with the basics and jump right in. But take some advice and keep an eye out on ebay for some money saving deals.. everything you'll need will be found there- and at times at a killer price. But as usual you will need to be patient so start now and if your lucky you'll be all geared up by first ice...
best of luck...PB
[signature]
I know this is about useless now but one of the best places that i have found is wal-mart in march and april, they are basically giving the stuff away, year before last i picked up a rod for $2 a real for $3 and some line for $.50 it is just cheepy stuff but it has caught fish, thats all that matters. i also got "the do~jigger" for $1.25 and they are nice lures for year around.
If i was you i would follow these guys advise about hooked fishing tackle and come spring time if you are still interested in ice fishing keep an eye out for the killer clearences.
[signature]
You are right f4f. I fish year round and I watch for clearance on fishing gear year round.Like mateo said don't forget the boogers.When we first started ice fishing we used a little dome tent that we had outgrown and put a couple of holes in the bottom. It keeps the wind off really well.
All this talk of hard water is making me want to see snow soon. My husband hates the snow so when I say that he gets pretty mad.But oh well.
[signature]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Fishing gear is the least of your worries. You can use the same rod you're using now and with a few additions to your jig selection you're set. I'll give you a hand auger I don't use. $20 in jigs and bait and you can go fish. Go see James at Hooked. The expensive stuff is not your tackle. Your cold weather clothing is.[/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3][/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Don't scrimp on your boots. Buy a pair that will be good to [/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]-100F. At least 1200 gram of thinsulite but 1600 is better. You get cold feet and you're done. Good boots will usually go from $100 - $200 but you can find deals and sales that can get them down a little more.[/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3][/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Insulated Carhartts bibs and coveralls are really popular here too. I use the artic extremes made of cordura nylon but the canvas bibs work good also and they are much cheaper. Spray a little of that camp dry waterproofing on them every so often and they'll repel water or snow from soaking in.[/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]Use your military issue cold weather clothing. I know a lot of military personnel that use it and get by but you'll need more than that on most days in the dead of winter.[/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3][/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Cal Ranch has a good selection of working man's cold weather gear at reasonable prices. They have the insulated coveralls, hats, gloves, wool socks, etc. Sportsman's has good stuff too aimed at sportsmen. Cabela's has anything a guy wants and more. [/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3][/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]This will get you started then you can add stuff as you learn more about it. Pretty soon you'll be like a lot of us and need 4 wheelers and snowmobiles to haul all your stuff out![/size][/black][/font]
[signature]
Thanks for the replys guys... Ya i've got the cold weather gear covered... for the most part. Need to get some boots though and got the pop up tent... we out grown our lil one (had it for like 10 years) and from what i gether most of the stuff i've had for fishing in missouri for panfish, bluegill, crappie will work. What sucks is the wife wants to go but by that time she prob will be way to big to craw down on the ice. Don't need her falling on the ice and hurting herself.
James
[signature]
Ice fishing is the best sort of family fishing bundle her up and she will enjoy it.
Thanks for the good referances guys.
Mateo: what do you think of the name "Brains" for the next one. then guys can go ask sales people if they have any brains! and they can answer no we don't have any brains here.
[signature]
James, that could work. Especially if people go to sportsmans looking for them.
[signature]