Fishing Forum

First I'd like to say that It's great to finally find another place to talk about fishing. I was given some ice fishing equipment from friend that never used it and I've never been ice fishing before but I'd like to get started. So I need some help to get started. The lakes that I'll mainly be fishing are Deer Creek, the berry, and Scofield. I mainly troll so any help with regards to tackle would be appreciated. Any other tips would be great as well.
Thanks in advance
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cold wether gear first.. good cold wether is most inportent. next brack out the check book and start getting jig's. once ya get out a cuple times you get the feel for what jig's and lures work best for you.. then just work on getting more and more stuff the hull around with ya.. lol it's real easy to ice fish! staying warm is the hard part..
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Welcome aboard...

And welcome to the world of ice fishing. [cool]

Like Fuzzy said, make sure to have good warm clothing. Multiple layers with some kind of a snow suit, beanie, good gloves (2 pairs), good socks (I wear 3 pair, and bring extra just in case), and good insulated, waterproof boots are a MUST. If there is one thing that will make you hate ice fishing right off the bat, it's getting cold.. or falling in. []

After you have all of that, you'll want to make sure that you get or have access to an auger with good sharp blades. My personal favorite is the strikemaster. Many people prefer the Eskimo brand. 8" will probably be best for the lakes you mentioned.

Tube jigs(1"-4"), curly tails(1"-3"), Ice Cutters, paddle bugs, marabous (1/32-1/8oz), jigging spoons, and ice flies are the most common things you'll find in my tackle box on the ice. Chartreuse, glow, pearl, and white seem to be the most common colors of success. Sometimes I will go with darker greens, purples, pinks, orange, and yellow. Let the fish tell you what they want.

You want to tip your jig with some kind of bait. Crawlers, minnows (red side shiner, fathead, and chub), sucker meat, wax worms, and meal worms. Some people tip with Powerbait and salmon eggs as well.

Keep an eye on the forums for reports about the waters you want to fish. Most guys are more than willing to share specifics with you... depth, jigging, location, etc.

I plan on hitting the Berry a lot this winter... If you are interested, let me know, and maybe we can figure out a time to get up there.
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welcome aboard Ron, these guys are saying it right, warm clothes are a must or you will not enjoy ice fishing. good boots are the most important part, (you will be standiing on ice). 2 pairs of gloves is always nice. the augar is a most unless you have a friend that will barrow it to you. I short fishing makes it easier to be closer to the ice hole and you have better control. good limp line is also good because of the light jigs used icefishing. oh, you will also need a ice scooper / strainer to scoop the ice out of the hole.
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Welcome to the board.

I like to use small ice jigs that glow up at Scofield. And 3" tube jigs in white and pearl up at Strawberry. Tip everything with wax worms. If they don't work try mealworms.

I find that the fish at Scofield like a little movement to their bait. Whereas it depends on the day at da berry.

Only fished D.C. a few times last year and I killed the trout with the ice jigs. Picked up some bass with small (1") yellow curly tail grub.

Good luck to ya.
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Thanks for all the help and suggestions.
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Try to pick a day you can meet someone on the water who fishes the lake you want to fish. Nothing like having someone show you a trick or two.

If all else fails and others are catching fish walk over and introduce yourself. Ask what they are using and how they are fishing it. Then go back and see if you have anything like what they are using.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2][#002850]Ron,

One of THE GREATEST things about this Web site is that many folks here are quite willing to take you out and show you the ropes from their point of view. Don't be afraid to post up a post once in a while asking if someone wouldn't mind you tagging along. It is absolutely amazing just how much you can learn from fishing with someone else. And you'd be surprised how many guys are willing (even enjoy) showing a newbie how it's done.

Welcome aboard.
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Oh yeah... Sportsman's Wharehouse is holding an free ice fishing clinic at it's Riverdale location on 12/11 from 7-9pm. I've heard they'll give lots of info on tackle and tips. [cool]
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If I were you I'd invest in a few of the wire bobbers that attach to the tip of your pole. You'll be amased how light some of the panfish will bite. Without some kind of bobber you may not even know a crappie has been and gone! Good luck!
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