11-14-2012, 07:52 PM
I started ice fishing two season ago, and as with all things I read, learned, talked, tried, and became an instant expert! (bwahaha)
You'll actually find ice tents come in many colors. Black is nice, cuz it warms up when there's sun. Blue and Red are pretty common too, but as mentioned - it's just a shelter, BUT needs to stand up to the wicious WIND beast, plus pelting snow, and be able to anchor it as suggest.
Mine is a Frabil - where the sled is part of the tent. Good and bad, wouldn't mind a smaller fold up one for days I don't actually need to pitch a tent. I often fish outside of it, but the underwater camera definitely benefits from the indoors treatment.
Buddy heater does wonders to warm things up. I usually end up turning it off after a few.
another item to consider is a sled. I tried using the kids dinky sled at first, but it was so wiggly and unstable. Thought about adding some old skis to it, but for $30-$50 bux a JetSled, or other variety does great. You can just carry a bucket with a lid seat, but you'll quickly want to be able to tow rather than haul, trust me.
[url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQqssLMNZI0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQqssLMNZI0[/url]
I like a medium action rod, but LOVE having a spring bobber - miss a LOT of tender bites without.
There are various styles, I've found old guitar strings can be bent and fashioned with a bead and some liquid plastic.
Jiggity Jig - check out Amazon, Ebay, Cabelas, even Walmart carries an ice section. Think SMALL! Maniac has some great ice jigs and plastics. Glow is where's it's at, that and UV paint. I'd suggest a sampler pack to start off.
Augers can be purchased used on KSL for cheap, or the For Sale board on BFT. $40-$50 to start. Don't bother pretending to make your own. You'll just frustrate yourself. Cores - uh, no. There is also a limit to hole size (10"), otherwise you could just bring a chainsaw and make a 4'x6' hole, but not in Utah (Pike fishing up north - that's a different story).
Bottom Line: start simple, you can always get more stuff later. Dresh layers, GOOD BOOTS, see what others are using.
Any fishfinder can work fine, just want to get a smaller battery (check with TubeDude) - don't want to haul a deep cycle! I have a style that has a transducer for ice, and another for a boat. Basically - different cone shape, direction of ping.
[#800000]SO - has ANYONE tried those straight line reels? Looks like a fly-reel. I'm sorely tempted to fire up an order.[/#800000]
[#800000][/#800000]
[#800000][/#800000]
Sometimes it works:
[inline "MI.Mayhem n Massacre - 400.jpg"]
[inline StackedOnTheIce.jpg]
You'll actually find ice tents come in many colors. Black is nice, cuz it warms up when there's sun. Blue and Red are pretty common too, but as mentioned - it's just a shelter, BUT needs to stand up to the wicious WIND beast, plus pelting snow, and be able to anchor it as suggest.
Mine is a Frabil - where the sled is part of the tent. Good and bad, wouldn't mind a smaller fold up one for days I don't actually need to pitch a tent. I often fish outside of it, but the underwater camera definitely benefits from the indoors treatment.
Buddy heater does wonders to warm things up. I usually end up turning it off after a few.
another item to consider is a sled. I tried using the kids dinky sled at first, but it was so wiggly and unstable. Thought about adding some old skis to it, but for $30-$50 bux a JetSled, or other variety does great. You can just carry a bucket with a lid seat, but you'll quickly want to be able to tow rather than haul, trust me.
[url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQqssLMNZI0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQqssLMNZI0[/url]
I like a medium action rod, but LOVE having a spring bobber - miss a LOT of tender bites without.
There are various styles, I've found old guitar strings can be bent and fashioned with a bead and some liquid plastic.
Jiggity Jig - check out Amazon, Ebay, Cabelas, even Walmart carries an ice section. Think SMALL! Maniac has some great ice jigs and plastics. Glow is where's it's at, that and UV paint. I'd suggest a sampler pack to start off.
Augers can be purchased used on KSL for cheap, or the For Sale board on BFT. $40-$50 to start. Don't bother pretending to make your own. You'll just frustrate yourself. Cores - uh, no. There is also a limit to hole size (10"), otherwise you could just bring a chainsaw and make a 4'x6' hole, but not in Utah (Pike fishing up north - that's a different story).
Bottom Line: start simple, you can always get more stuff later. Dresh layers, GOOD BOOTS, see what others are using.
Any fishfinder can work fine, just want to get a smaller battery (check with TubeDude) - don't want to haul a deep cycle! I have a style that has a transducer for ice, and another for a boat. Basically - different cone shape, direction of ping.
[#800000]SO - has ANYONE tried those straight line reels? Looks like a fly-reel. I'm sorely tempted to fire up an order.[/#800000]
[#800000][/#800000]
[#800000][/#800000]
Sometimes it works:
[inline "MI.Mayhem n Massacre - 400.jpg"]
[inline StackedOnTheIce.jpg]