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for a beginer i'd go with a cheap rod and reel you can find most for around 12-15$
jigs i try to stay with the genz grub/worm or jigs from jamin jigs most of mine glo for ether dark or stanted water or fishing at night..
for the holes you can pick up a hand auger for around 25-30$ or a spud sometimes they can be found for under 30$
as for finding out if the ice is safe enough IT NEVER IS SAFE but with a spud or ice chisle you can check the ice as you make your way out onto the ice and find a fishing spot..
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how do I use a spud to check the ice? Well even if it is Never safe I still want to go.
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ice fishing is equivalent to extreem winter sports. it gets cold.
thermal bib overhauls are a must.
you cary every thing in a 5 gallon bucket or pull it behind on a sled. the bucket will be your best buddy out on the ice, it carys you gear, your fish when you are done fishing and it is your seat while fishing....
in the other hand you carry your spud, you drive it in to the ice ahead of you as you walk on the ice. if it goes though go back, follow in your own foot tracks.
you should get an auger or go with some one who has one. minimum hand crank lazer jet "has curved blades" stay away from the streight blade hand cranks.
keep an eye open at the garage sales and see if you can pick up a used power auger, "tho I have never seen one in a garage sale, ya never know"
Dont buy a dinasaur either, not unless you have a something to haul it out and back with, them things are heavy. "I have one"
get your self a dozen jigs, be sure to buy them in pairs, if you get one that is working you dont want to get caught with out a spare should you loose one, and you will. best way to not loose them is to retie them periodicaly. every time you start a new day, every dozen fish or so, I have gotten to know I have to retie every 24 fish or I break the line on the next fish, that is just me, you may have better or worse catch counts before you have to retie..
It is never a bad idea to have a PFD, some of the other anglers may look at ya a bit funny but you can tell them you never know when you might have to toss it to some one.
being a beginner, dont be the first one out on the ice, dont be the last one off the ice. carry a cell phone... Ya I have changed my mind about having a phone while fishing, tho' I still dont take business calls while on the ice...
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Ok. Thanks for the information. I can't wait to get out there and go ice fishing. Should be interesting. I have 5 gallon buckets alot of them. I have a sled from when I was younger it is a large plastic sled you pull around. I will see if I can get a used auger on ebay. I will definitly get a PFD. thanks again for your help. Any other information from others is welcomed. Thanks.
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your welcome,
I kind of shot a lot of info across your bow, so when you decide to do something besure to post it here where you can receive the collective experience of skilled and seasoned anglers.
on ebay stay away from used hand crank augers, the replacement blades are almost as expencive as the the whole auger, I bought me a lazer jet last year, glad I did, but I paid 75.oo for it new. the replacement blade is 45.oo.
To sharpen those blades you need to be a tool and die man, even for the flat bladed augers it requieres great sharpening skills to get the blades to cut right.
on a power auger, the blades are just as expencive, but it not 2/3rds the price of the whole auger.
when you get the PFD make sure you get a 100-150 foot of soft nylon rope and keep one end tied to the PFD at all times, you wont always have the luxury of having the time to tie it on when it comes time to throw it... on the other end be sure to tie a big ball knot around a giant washer or nut so you will have something to throw should you go down in to the drink.
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Welcome to the wonderful world of ice fishing...my favorite. The $20 kit suggested by your local bait shop should be just fine. Make sure you have then spool fresh (new, not last years) line for you. Ask them what test they would recommend for bluegill...I usually use 2lb. Hold off on the auger until you decide how much you enjoy ice fishing. Take something to scoop ice/snow out of your hold. Three inches of ice is safe, but I usually wait until six or more as my oldest fishing buddy is twelve and youngest is six. One way to feel a little bit better about the ice at the first of the season is to fish where the crowds are. As a first-timer this is also a good idea because you could ask for tips/help from others and just watch and imitate what they are doing. (Also nice to be close to help if you did take a dip.) As you become more comfortable you can move away from the crowds and find better fishing. Ice fishing, like all other fishing, can be as simple or as complicated as you make it. Enjoy!
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I forgot to mention one thing about that kit..
"strip the line and put some quality stuff on"
rod and reel combos usualy come with the cheepest line they can get on it.
be sure to get ice fishing line. there is a big differance between qulaity mono and quality ice mono...
it runs about 4-5 bucks and worth any penny...
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You have definitely come to the right place for advice! This is where I got my start with ice fishing. I love it now! What area are you in? Maybe there's a few other BFTers that can help you out in your area.
I've had a number of different ice fishing rods that I've used over the past 3 yrs. I tell ya what, my favorites have been a little more on the expensive side (30-50 bucks with reels) but they are definitely more sensitive. You can feel the bite almost every time with them. If you're fishing for walleye, crappies, and panfish, that'll make a huge difference in the number of fish you catch!
Not sure if your area allows it or not, but for starters, I'd see if your local bait shop also rents a flasher such as Vexilar or Marcum. They'll help you determine whether or not you're in an area that actually has fish. This will save you a lot of frustration when you're out your first time. Not having one with you is like fishing blind. I got lucky my first time out and found a bunch of panfish. But the next 4 times out, nothing, no matter how much research I did before going out there. I wasted hours drilling holes where I thought the fish should be. The flasher sure would have saved me a bunch of time and energy!
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] Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.