I've never been ice fishing before and would like to give it a try. I've seen cheap poles and gear at Wally World, but if I'd like to enjoy the experience what kind of gear must I be sure to get?
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get the cheep gear to start with.. as you go you'll see what you need and dont need..
i would get these things first..
good pack boots!
good winter coat.
ski bibes or snow sute.
good gloves..
ice picks for pulling your self out if need be..
and a 50 feet rope to take along
i take a PFD as well
see where i going with that?
a ice pole with 6 or 4 lbs line.
some jig's small to big..
a ice bar or auger for making holes in the ice..
a slead of some kind to pull your gear out.
and some bait..
and a 5 gal bucket for a pole holder, something to sit on and put all your stuf in..
oh i forgot a ice scooper to clear the hole of ice..
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I'd spend a couple bucks more and get a good quality reel or use the reel off your summer pole. Bait I like best is wax worms they seem to work better for me. Depth will be very important if you want to catch fish so if they aren't biting try raising or lowering your offering. Good luck. J
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CHEAP: If you want to see if you like it or not - go cheap.
Auger - You should be able to find ice holes already drilled from previous days ice fisher-people and use their holes - no need to buy a Auger cause it will be $35(+)
I think you might even be able to rent one from the Strawberry Marine. Or just ask another ice fisherman if they can drill a couple holes 4 you - most will step up and drill.
You can fish with a summer time poles & reels outfit. You can remove the top half of a two piece pole and you should be fine. In fact I just fish with a spool of line and a jig and bobber.
Bring out a bucket or lawn chair to sit on. And you can pick up a cheapy kids sled at the D.I. if you keep you eyes open for one.
Warm clothing and boots are a must - a good hooded insulated sweatshirt to keep the wind off your head is nice.
On a side note: keep the wax worms in a inside pocket to keep them warm & wiggly - they'll work better than frozen.
I like bobbers -- 3 for a $1 at wally world.
Good luck and remember on most days (90% +) the fish quit biting around 10 to 11 so being there early is a must for a productive day.
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I have an auger with no blades i could sell you say 5 bucks i live up north pm me its a eskimo
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+1 on what Fuzz said. The safety gear (spikes and rope) are a priority.
I fished my 4 lb 5 to 5 1/2 foot light rods for a couple years before I went to the ice rods. I bought a couple $18 combos from Sportsmans 8 years ago that i still use today. I'd stay away from the flimsy, parabolic noodle rods. I look for a sensitive tip and a little backbone. They are hard to find, but they are out there.
A hand auger and a five gallon bucket with a padded seat will serve you well. You will accumulate stuff over time to make you more comfortable but to start with, keep it simple. In a couple years you'll be dragging a hundred pound sled out there like the rest of us knuckleheads.
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Ya ice fishing is not cheep at all especially if you want to keep yourself warm. I end up spending $400+ just for new auger blades, 3 man tent, sled, pole, heater, and a few jigs and grubs.
You can go to sports men ware house they got a combo ice rod for 13.99 but I recommend get new line if you buy it.
This is what fisherman's tell me. Fishing in general will never be cheap. People spend more money on fishing then in any sport.
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If you think that fishing is expensive you should take up hunting.
I have never found a gun combo for twenty bucks and most hunt only last for a coulpe of weeks insted of an entire year.
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Ha ha ha probly but there's some times you can't even go hunting because of the regulation in the animal. As well I'm not a gun type of a guy.
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Great way to gear up - check KSL for someone who's clearing that shelf on the garage. You can hook up with an auger, tent, a few poles - easy.
You can start cheap and work up. I did, but it didn't take long.
Kids sled - if it's sturdy. I started on a skinny flimsy plastic deal, and stacked so high - wasn't worth it. $30-$50 for a decent ice sled - $ well spent.
Or - get creative and fashion something out of a pair of skis, 2x4s, and milk crates. You're in like Flynn!
No tent - fine if it's not windy or snowing. First trip great, 2nd trip - hell! Dropped $75 on a used tent/sled.
Heater - if you have a tent, you can get by without. But I will say - finding a Buddy heater for $50 used - it's very nice - I turn it on for a while, then off - plenty warm. Can use it for camping too. Cozy tent!
Ice poles are cheap. Summer reels are fine if they are small. A good drag is always welcome.
I like a firmer pole with bigger eyes (ice) and a good spring bobber. You can use a regular slip bobber (they make tiny ones). A Mr Jigger is a welcome friend.
Being warm and comfy is key. GOOD BOOTS, gloves hats - etc. But really - lots of times between hiking out, and drilling holes - I get hot and sweaty! The jacket usually hangs off the back of the chair! Layers is good.
Safety - as said. Foot grippers (chains, cleats, spikes) and the safety spikes - cheap, but again - $ well spent.
Wax worms, meal worms. Plastics too. But ya gotta think small. Lots of ice-jig sampler packs to be had.
There is a lot of really good advice here. I really appreciate each of you taking the time to send some experience and knowledge my way. I'll start small and cheap and just like my hunting gear I'm sure I'll accumulate things with each trip experience that teaches me something else that would make it better. thank you all.
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All the above are great biggest thing is don't go cheap on boots. Get a good quality pac boot. Once the feet get cold its all over. Ice scoop to remove ice from hole.
Recommend going out with someone who has equipment say a tent, heater, auger, other gear then you can 1) see if you even like ice fishing 2) know what equipment you'd like to get for your next trip.
Again and foot stomping on this can't stress enough quality boots and those I wouldn't skimp on as far as price. You can use the boots for other outdoors activities if you find ice fishing isn't for you or your family.
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So here is my comprehensive list. [
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• Good pack boots
• Good winter coat
• Thick hoody
• Ski Bibs/Snow suit
• Good gloves
• Ice picks
• 50 foot rope
• Consider a PFD
• Cheap ice pole with 4lb or 6lb test (can use summer rods, reels) (can use shorter poles, want something with a sensitive tip but has backbone)(firmer pole with big eyes for ice, Mr Jigger)
• Small jibs to big
• Ice bar or auger
• Sled (don’t skimp; $30-50 for a decent ice sled)
• Bait (wax worms, keep em warm)(meal worms, plastics)
• Bobbers
• 5 gal bucket
• Chair
• Ice Scooper
• Fish stop biting around 10 or 11
• 3 man tent
• Little Buddy Heater
• Foot grippers (chains, cleats, spikes)
Thanks guys!
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Add one more: get a supply of those chemical foot and hand warmers. There is NO worse thing than frozen toes and immobile fingers.
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If you going to get an ice tent sportsmen warehouse got the eskimo 3 tent on sale still for 139.99 instead of 179.99 i believe and other places ive seen them go for 199.99. It a nice tent for 2 people but you can fit 3 just fine but it might be a little tight.
I got mine for 159.99 a few weeks ago but i just checked online and they have it for 139.99 but im not sure your going to have that price at the shop but heres the url to the place for the tent.
http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sport.../cat101077
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I got started really cheap and minimal. A pole combo, a few jigs, hand auger, an ice scoop and a sled. I even did my first trip in rubber galoshes and wool socks, but I don't recommend the latter at ALL! But then, I only went out on "warm" days at first. [
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One thing I'll underscore is that any pole will work, but many of the cheapest are very stiff and therefore harder to detect a subtle bite. Tip end bobbers for the tip can compensate for this. Try a couple types to determine your preference.
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Ice poles.
My bride tends to break 1 or 2 rods each year while we are boat fishing.
If the rod has a slow to medium action and I feel it will work as a good ice rod, I cut off the handle and rod tip then combine the two by inserting the tip into the rod butt with a little silicone and now one more Ice rod.
Cost nothing.
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What species of fish do you plan on going after?
Oh and another piece of equipment and really inexpensive is a spring bobber to attach to your ice rod...a must for them soft biting pan fish say Perch and Crappie.
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[quote Flyfishinglover] Fishing in general will never be cheap. People spend more money on fishing then in any sport.[/quote]
I stopped even attempting to read your worthless drivel a few months ago, but this just happened to catch my eye. Just off the top of my head:
Golf
Hunting
Running (ever priced out races or real running shoes? I'm glad I'm fat and slow)
Skiing
Biking
Climbing
Drinking
An ice rod combo is 18 bucks. A jar of Power Bait is 4 bucks. A bag of jigs is 2 bucks. Everyone has one five gallon bucket or a lawn chair. Already drilled ice holes are free.
I'd say that ice fishing isn't quite as expensive as you might think.
Alright, back to ignoring your insightful posts. Cheerio.
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Also, be sure to check your local D.I. for "stuff". I just picked up a pair of brand new Sorel's for my wife for $8.00, and I got a pair for me that were almost brand new a few months ago for $6.00. They have tons of fleece and layer-able clothing for dirt cheap. They do get fishing rods/reels/gear, but after talking to some of the guys that work there, it goes fast.
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