Ice Fishing Tip of the Day

[BigFishingShop]

[center][#ff0000]<*@}))))))X< Ice Fishing Tip number #78[/#ff0000]
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Hi davetclown, and anyone reading, not sure how to post but I have found that for extreme Dry, Cracked ( even to the point of bleeding and painfully useless) hands and skin in general, after trying EVERYTHING lol including more expensive "medicated" hand lotions (which I found to ALL contain alcohol, which only seemed compounded my problems) [unimpressed]

Even triple antibiotic creams were not helping combat the extreme, dry and bitter Okanagan winters with daily snow removal and firewood chores and a basic love of the outdoors (spend most every daylight hour outside doing something).

Was desperate, trying everything and anything lol until out of kitchen came EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL !!! [:p]

Very first moments rubbing into my cracked, bleeding, too painful to open anymore hands were extascy, pain left almost immediately, could put gloves right back on again (was bad).

Right back enjoying work and play with hands completely healed in days and of course using religiously ever since, hands, feet, elbows, etc., lips ( way better than chap sick IMO ) []

Rub into my hands well every two or three days now, makes a bit of oily hands mess which I rub in well for a minute or two then wash if necessary or just head out if I'm going to go get my hands dirty anyways. Lips get a dab rubbed in every morning, anything else as necessary, Beauty !!, been like baby new for several years now.

BFS
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[davetclown]

that is good news, Glad you could solve your skin problem.

I know lots of people with dry skin problems year round, many have turned to baby oil. "probably is olive oil based read lable"

many make ups for women are olive oil based. even theactrical make up is olive oil based now a days. has been for nearly 20 years. Most of your halloween coustum make up is now olive oil bassed...

Forget the oil wells, time to plant me a few olives.[cool]

I bet you now have a whole lot of new 4 legged friends.

Most Ice fishermen dont realy have dry cracked hand problems, reason being is they handle the fish with their bare hands and come in direct contact with fish oil. another item that can be taken internaly and externaly to help dry skin, it also helps in the fight against colestoral to boot...

my sis had dry skin and circulation problems, she stopped eating fish in her mid 20's, now she is on a regimented fish died to increase her fish oil intake. Min one fish diner per week. any way she wants to cook it.

bouy if mckane knew how much oil was a commin out of me he would whant to drill my kiester too...[laugh]
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[BigFishingShop]

lol, hi davetclown, yup, am sure glad I discovered, was most taken by how so many products for skin have alcohol. ??

Even started using as lube in my finer electronics that I was worried about petroleum based oils damaging like my guitar volume and tone knobs. No not the difference scientifically speaking but the idea is cool and it works.

BFS [fishin]
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[davetclown]

be carfull on electronics, many of those oils have salt in them as a preservitive...[]
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[BigFishingShop]

OOOH [shocked] 'tis not good, thanks davet.

BFS [fishin]
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[peternorrsih]

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[davetclown]

[center][#ff0000]<*@}))))))X< Ice Fishing Tip number #79[/#ff0000]


Here is a tip you may want to try;

I use Pam spray on my auger to keep ice and water from sticking on them extreme cold blustery days. “Yep, Pam cooking spray” I even use it on my snowplow in the winter on those wet snow days.

A little bit goes a long way; I have one of those small 12-ounce cans that I have used on my auger and snowplow blade that I have used now for 3 years.

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[davetclown]

[center][#ff0000]<*@}))))))X< Ice Fishing Tip number #80[/#ff0000]
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[left]Be sure to to spring maintanance on your auger
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[left]In the spring when you put it away, be sure to hand wipe the augers clean of water spots then spray it down lightly with WD-40 and wipe dry again.
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[left]Be sure when you store your power augers you hang them up right but not resting the auger on the ground. Hang it either by the handles or make a notched wall hanger that you can slip the auger pole in.
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[left]if you cant hang your power auger, seperate the auger from the motor.
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[left]What it is your are trying to avoid is:

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[left]the auger from falling over damaging the motor[/left]
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[left]placing un-nessisary weight on the blade and spline causing the blade to cut in to the plastic cover resulting in premature dulling.[/left]
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[left]prevent the posibility of bending of the grind point and mount that holds the cutting edge, once those are bent they auger will never cut right again. [/left]
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[davetclown]

[center][#ff0000]<*@}))))))X< Ice Fishing Tip number #81[/#ff0000]

I cant beleive I am adding this one to the thip of the day, but whats more is I cant beleive this actualy happend on a lake near me two days ago.

Walleye fishing trip...

I started out on cass lake, but as soon as I set foot on the lake the ice cracked, so I truned right back around.

then I hear down around the bend, yesterday and today 3 snow mobiles went thought the ice.

the owner of one sled had a bud who came to his rescue driving a "suv" with a rope. He drove the suv out on the lake to pull out the snowmobile that went though the ice.

Do I need to say more? [sly] yep today the dnr was trying to pull the suv out of the lake.

I cant beleive this happend on a lake where I fish, in my town.... Some how or another I must not be getting the word out that there is no such thing as safe ice.

I wouldnt beleive it if you told me, so here is the url to the news artical yes with pic.

clickondetroit.com/news/18772137/detail.html
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[davetclown]

[center][#ff0000]<*@}))))))X< Ice Fishing Tip number #82[/#ff0000]
[center][#ff0000][/#ff0000]
[center][#ff0000][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/fishing_articles/Freshwater_Fishing_Articles/Musky_Pike_Fishing/Hand_to_Fin_Combat_Early_Ice_Pike_Fishing__J779.html"]Early ice Pike[/url][/#ff0000]
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[davetclown]

[center][#ff0000]<*@}))))))X< Ice Fishing Tip number #83[/#ff0000]


if your mora wont cut a hole with new blades, and the reason I dont care for this style auger.

people including my self tap the auger against the ice lightly to knock off the ice build up. When you do that you bend the soft metal frame the blades are mounted to. hence the auger will never ever cut right again.

a sign that this has been done to your auger or it has been droped on its blade is when you attempt to start your hole it wants to skip across or bobbel around on the ice.

if this is what is happening, you can put a peice of shim stock on the cutting side of the bolts when placeing the blades on. It dose help a little, but it will never cut like new again.

Mora style auger blade in mounted position


this is a power lazer blade
gas and electric, hand lazers look the same with out the serated teeth.

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[albinotrout]

Reminds me of Bill Engvall. [#000080]Heres Your Sign!!!!! [/#000080][#000000]You would think that if a sled goes through the ice you don't wanna go out there with your SUV! Someone call the numnuts and hang his sign on him![:p][/#000000]
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[quote]I cant beleive I am adding this one to the thip of the day, but whats more is I cant beleive this actualy happend on a lake near me two days ago.

Walleye fishing trip...

I started out on cass lake, but as soon as I set foot on the lake the ice cracked, so I truned right back around.

then I hear down around the bend, yesterday and today 3 snow mobiles went thought the ice.

the owner of one sled had a bud who came to his rescue driving a "suv" with a rope. He drove the suv out on the lake to pull out the snowmobile that went though the ice.

Do I need to say more? [sly] yep today the dnr was trying to pull the suv out of the lake

[CptHook]

[center][#ff0000]<*@}))))))X< Ice Fishing Tip number #84[/#ff0000]



Sorry if its been mentioned somewhere. But to help prevent the ice building up on the blades, spray them with a cooking oil spray.. [/center]
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[center]Yes, I finally see it a few posts above. : )
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[center]So I'll submit a new tip #84. For people with thin soles, and or large holes in their shoes, like myself, place something on the ice near your seat to rest your feet on. Today I used two inserts from a box of pistol ammunition. Something dark would absorb the sunlight. Also, make sure it doesn't slip on the ice easily when you stand up.
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[davetclown]

[center][#ff0000]<*@}))))))X< Ice Fishing Tip number #85[/#ff0000]

[left]Using a gaft on a pike

to use a gaft with out harming your pike, aim for under the gill and pull forward twards the end of his mouth and then lift, Getting large toothied critters to turn their heads in to the hole can be difficult and is usualy the place where most anglers loose their pike.

note, it is seldom nessisary to gaft smaller pike.
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[davetclown]

[center][#ff0000]<*@}))))))X< Ice Fishing Tip number #86[/#ff0000]

[left]remember to work the depts in incraments. and mark your depth by the number of cranks up from the bottom for a quick refferance to reset your line for your next catch.
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[CptHook]

[left]I've finally read all of the posts after months of procrastination. Thank you, Dave and all other contributors. I especially liked the reactions to the person with disdainful remarks towards Ice Fishing.
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[left] Its exciting to see tip #100 in the distance! Of course you know it needs to be a doozy.
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[center] As a seat, the upside down bucket is tried and true. The problem, as I see it, is the bucket's qualities depend on gravity, thus turning a bucket upside down renders it useless as a bucket. A board, just big enough to set on top of a upright bucket and small enough to fit inside the bucket is one solution. Bringing a towel as a cushion helps, its a nice way to dry your hands too. It came in handy once when a child stepped in a hole, and I imagine its something that crosses your mind after you climb out of freezing water. A cable survival show demonstrated push ups to raise your core temperature after stripping off your wet clothing, should you fall through.
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[center]One piece of clothing I strongly recommend is the scarf(ski mask if not), wrap it around in a couple layers all the way up to your eyes in extreme weather. Adding a tissue or paper towel to catch moisture helps too.
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[center]Get in the habit of putting your gloves in your pockets, or anywhere that keeps them warm when you do take them off.
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[center]Also, for people new on the ice, remember that sound tends to travel, and cold air makes sound travel better, and I assume ice has acoustic qualities. This, combined with the quite of winter and the lack of obstruction means its very easy to hear other people and its very easy for other people to hear you. So keep incriminating conversations, or rude remarks off the ice. At the same time you might over hear something that proves useful. Music is nice company and probably won't bother anybody if its at a respectful volume, you might ask or distance yourself if your not sure. [/center]
[center]Sled are useful and almost everyone has one. I'm more of a minimalist(poor) so I take what I can carry.
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[center][#0000bf]PROS[/#0000bf] of the sled. Much more capacity than two hands, weight distribution, seats, pole holders, live well, towing capability, kitchen sink. Yes, if your going out for real ice fishing, on a huge lake, your going to need one.
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[center][#800000]CONS[/#800000]. Sleds are basically boats that you drag, especially when you have your heavy equipment in them. Though I've never actually used one I can see that not too many people can go up or down rip rap, slopes or any obstacle really. You'll need a boat ramp, a truck and a friend to efficiently load or unload the big ones. Yes, I won't be carrying shelters, cameras, sonar or my bar b que, but I'm fishing quicker, moving quicker and leaving quicker. Today I wish I had a small one, and I do plan on getting one, but my point is you shouldn't feel like its an integral part of ice fishing, in some cases at least. In my case, the lakes are small and its just easier to take my bucket and auger out by hand. I just try my darndest not to fall.
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[center][#000080]TROUT[/#000080]
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[left][#0000bf] Its not easy to grab a trout , and it could be damaging to it if you grip excessively. Of course you wet your hands before handling the body of any fish to reduce scale damage. But having a soft mesh net to handle them with is a very good idea. A soaked hand towel or some kind of soft fabric to wrap around the trout stops it from struggling in my experience. Check to see if any scales were removed on your hands or handling material.
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[#0000bf]As for the floating dough baits. Most of the people I've talked to have used crappie rigs, I've tried this and I don't like it for ice fishing, but that's probably just me. I've had fairly good luck covering a jig (heavy, round with small hooks) completely, making sure it sinks instead of floats. This gives you the freedom to change depths as frequently as you'd like, plus all the fish I've hooked this way have been hooked in the jaw. Aggressive trout will probably still swallow it, don't use dough in these situations. The jig with dough can be fished like any other jig or supplemented with other baits. In my experience just keeping it still, maybe twitching it once and awhile is the best way, its a perfect choice for a secondary rig. Just as side note I was using 4lb test[/#0000bf]

[#0000ff]Trout will move fast, being a true cold water fish. They like to come in like a kamikaze sometimes, bumping your bait. [/#0000ff]
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[center]Stringer, live well, ice or bucket?
As soon as I know I'm keeping the fish I sever the spine with my fillet knife and bury it in snow/ice. When I leave I pack them in a grocery bag with a little shaved ice.
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[center]Some people will just let them flop around to keep them fresh, while all it does is torture the fish and bruises its meat. I've heard of under ice live wells, which might be the best choice for some, or you can create your own aerated live well. This gives you the option to pick and choose your fish harvest.
If you dig a few inches into the ice, two or more holes long, you can create a nice storage spot where there's no chance of them flopping their way to freedom, even after they're dead some fishes reflexes are strong enough to move around the ice. Fill it back in so people can't trip on it. If it's legal to, you can also completely clean your fish on the ice, but remains must be carried off and disposed of.[/center]
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[center]A long rope is good but it can't be thrown easy. A bike tire tied to the end will make it possible to throw from a safe distance and it gives the person something easy to grab. I have a long rope connected to a smaller one with a large lead weight tied to it. It was made for a different reason but I thought it was perfect for ice rescues.
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[center][#bf0000]Don't make large holes![/#bf0000][/center]
[center][#000000][font "Arial"][size 2]A couple days ago a ice surfer was badly injured on a Denver area reservoir [/size][/font][/#000000]. [font "Arial"][#000000][size 2]The hole looked like it was made from several together, Way too big, you can't have anything larger than 12 inches in Colorado, I think, probably the same for every state.[/size][/#000000][/font] [/center]
[center][#000000][font "Arial"][size 2]Sadly around the same time a three year old was found dead in a golf pond. The mother started looking for him and I think the police came before a neighbor spotted the body. Very case where I surmise the mother's neglect could have been due to social network addiction, but I have no evidence. I haven't heard anymore on the news.[/size][/font][/#000000]
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[davetclown]

[center][#ff0000]<*@}))))))X< Ice Fishing Tip number #87[/#ff0000]


[left]what to do when you only have one or two catches on the ice and you dont want to make it an unessisary kill.
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[left]Take the fish home, [/left]
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[left]Clean them soon as posible, rince them a cople times. [/left]
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[left]Put them in a bowl of ice water, If you dont already have some, you can ad fresh drinking water and add ice cubes or stick them in the refridgerator. Ice water speeds up the process.[/left]
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[left]soak them for 20 min in ice water, it will work with regular tap water but once you have used the ice water you will see a greatly noticable diffreance.[/left]
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[left]remove the fish from the water, place them in a zip lock bag or other container that will hold water with a lid. Even cardboard milk cartons work great.[/left]
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[left]fill the containor with enough water to cover the fish completly.[/left]
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[left]When it come time to use your bounty, take your package from the fridge and place it in the sink for thawing. once thawed soak give two more ice water baths 10 minutes each. Use this time to prepair your batter and heat up your cooking medium.[/left]
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[left]using this method, you can add more fish from slow catch days in to the same container untill you have the desired amount to acheive your fish fry.
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[left]another added benifit from using this method is you will be suprized how fresh your catch will taist.
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[davetclown]

[center][#ff0000]<*@}))))))X< Ice Fishing Tip number #88[/#ff0000]


[left]Quick easy sure fire batter recipie.
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[left]1 cup self rising flower
[left]1/4 cup corn meal or corn meal mix
[left]1/4 teaspoon salt
[left]1 teaspoon sugar
[left]1 egg
[left]enough water to make a breading thick or thin as desired.
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[left]All vegitable shortning or peanut oil heat to 375 degrees.
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[left]Use either a cast iron or stainless steel skillet. Deap fryers work great if you can find one big enough.
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[left]prepair your fish by removing from the water and drying each peice with a lint free white towel or white paper towel.
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[left]Dip fish in to batter and place each peice in to your cooking medium half way untill the end begins to float then let go of the other end.
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[left]cook to golden brown and turn over and cook till golden brown, take out and place on a platter laced with paper towel.
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[left]*** Hint cook one peice all the way though the process and taist test to see if you want to make any changes to batter thickness.
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[left]*** If cooking in a shallow skillet, omit the floating step. and use all vegitable shortning.
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[left]*** for best flavor,

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[left]use gold medal or martha white self rising flower, [/left]
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[left]in shallow skillets use crisco all vegitable shrotning.[/left]
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[left]Do not fry fish in wesson cooking oil unless you want a rockgut for the next 10 hours.
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[curt69]

If you have a food saver . Vacuum pack your catch . You will be surprised how fresh it will keep your catch . Curt G.
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[davetclown]

I want to clarify this for any one needing to chose between vacume pack and water pack.

Vacume pack work great for short term freezing, I do use them, especialy on larger species like pike trout and salmon. I have kept them in the freezer as much as a year with minimal flavor loss.

Water packs in ziploc bags have the ability to except more fish, and being frozen in water it extends the freezer life time up to as much as 3 years. "that is the longest period of time I lost a package of fish in the back of the freezer"

its a good idea to date them as well, I try to use the older ones first, but some times, I do get lazy and grab the first pouch I come across or one that is the right size for what I need for the night.

one differance between vacume pack and water pack, Things have a tendency to get thrown around, crushed, and rare ocations of broken seals. This is the same for both, how ever if your item is water packed and this happens, you have little to wory about freezer burn.

It dose take some time for an item to get freezer burned, so dont be afraid to use vacume packs for short term.
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