peteherbst
Well-Known Member
Deer season is closed in Wisconsin so I’m headed out ice fishing. Anyone else? What are you running?
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Ice Fishing
- Thread starter peteherbst
- Start date
Absolutely! Some day I will be serious about ice fishing, right now I'm just trying to find spots that help my boys enjoy it the way I do. This pic is from my only trip out so far....but we were on a little silt pond with very active bluegills. What I anticipated to be a 1 hour endeavor turned into 4 hours and me having to be the one to cut it off. What a great way to spend a day!
Swingin' Free
Well-Known Member
2 five gallon buckets, a bunch of tungsten jigs from amped outdoors and a marcum
- Joined
- May 16, 2018
- Messages
- 1,844
Great thread. Talk about a gear hobby!!
Shappell Bay Runner (insulated) w/mods
Marcum M1 flasher
Eyoyo 7" underwater camera
Buddy heater
Dewalt 20v drill on top of a Strikemaster 6" auger
If I'm chasing Yellow Perch which is 90% of my days:
4 various cheap/mid-range jigging rods
Box of Champlain Bibbets
If I'm running tipups for Northern Pike:
11 HT Polar round tipups in 2 buckets
2 Heritage Laker tipups
Plus a cooler full of beer and a thermos full of any hot soup. Easily my favorite outdoor hobby.
Pics from Saturday on Champlain.
Shappell Bay Runner (insulated) w/mods
Marcum M1 flasher
Eyoyo 7" underwater camera
Buddy heater
Dewalt 20v drill on top of a Strikemaster 6" auger
If I'm chasing Yellow Perch which is 90% of my days:
4 various cheap/mid-range jigging rods
Box of Champlain Bibbets
If I'm running tipups for Northern Pike:
11 HT Polar round tipups in 2 buckets
2 Heritage Laker tipups
Plus a cooler full of beer and a thermos full of any hot soup. Easily my favorite outdoor hobby.
Pics from Saturday on Champlain.
peteherbst
Well-Known Member
I switched some of my tipups to run perch this year. Thinking perch will be my primary this year too!Great thread. Talk about a gear hobby!!
Shappell Bay Runner (insulated) w/mods
Marcum M1 flasher
Eyoyo 7" underwater camera
Buddy heater
Dewalt 20v drill on top of a Strikemaster 6" auger
If I'm chasing Yellow Perch which is 90% of my days:
4 various cheap/mid-range jigging rods
Box of Champlain Bibbets
If I'm running tipups for Northern Pike:
11 HT Polar round tipups in 2 buckets
2 Heritage Laker tipups
Plus a cooler full of beer and a thermos full of any hot soup. Easily my favorite outdoor hobby.
Pics from Saturday on Champlain.
Swingin' Free
Well-Known Member
I'm using jaw jackers. If the bite gets slow it sometimes let's me know which way the school went.
I'm after mostly perch...
I'm after mostly perch...
Last edited:
HuntNorthEast
Well-Known Member
We've been gettin after it
Fishing was my first love.
3 otter sleds one with insulated top
Beaver dam round and regular tipups
St Croix rods
Shimano stradic or fly reels
Automatic fisherman with fiberglass rods
Nills auger on Milwaukee drill
Old lowrance flasher
And this year I added a can am outlander 1000xtp to make it out there faster. (I mean plow the driveway, if my wife is asking).
I’m mostly after walleye, pike, and perch these days.
3 otter sleds one with insulated top
Beaver dam round and regular tipups
St Croix rods
Shimano stradic or fly reels
Automatic fisherman with fiberglass rods
Nills auger on Milwaukee drill
Old lowrance flasher
And this year I added a can am outlander 1000xtp to make it out there faster. (I mean plow the driveway, if my wife is asking).
I’m mostly after walleye, pike, and perch these days.
Last edited:
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- Joined
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- Messages
- 1,844
Well... I'm in VT, so can't speak to ice conditions in Wisconsin, but I'd say just go where you see other people. Not only evidence that the ice is safe, but there's probably fish there too!
Are you needing to gear up from scratch?
My folks are in Jamaica VT!
Yea from scratch what’s the least setup where I won’t be pissed I didn’t bring X
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- Messages
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Small world.
Safety musts:
Ice picks in case you fall through (they are cheap and hang around your neck...insurance that you hope to never use)
Slip on ice cleats. I tried going without and still have a sore elbow and trick knee years later.
My starter list in order of priority:
1) Auger (simple hand auger in 4 or 6").
2) Ice scoop to clear hole.
3) Jigging rod/reel combo. I wouldn't get the cheapest one in the store but don't have to spend a lot. If it comes preloaded with line that saves a step.
4) Small collection of ice lures. Mostly tiny jigs and tungsten ones are best due to weight/size ratio. Hali chain jigs are also good. Swedish pimples are classic. Honestly I think you'll tie on a little tungsten jig and never take it off. Around here Champlain Bibbets reign, but I think that is a VT/Quebec thing.
5) 5 gallon bucket to hold stuff/fish and to sit on.
6) bucket seat lid (so you don't have to flip the bucket to sit on.
7) bucket rod holder (simple and cheap, but super handy).
8) cheap kid sled to help haul stuff.
Thank you I would not have known about the ice picks at all. Crampons 10-4 and yes it’s a wee tiny world.
Thanks for the advise on gear and tackle too. If I wanted to be helpful to someone who is bringing gear etc. how can I help? Hand warmers, grub? Are their expendables to replace?
Thanks again for the help
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks for the advise on gear and tackle too. If I wanted to be helpful to someone who is bringing gear etc. how can I help? Hand warmers, grub? Are their expendables to replace?
Thanks again for the help
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
- Joined
- May 16, 2018
- Messages
- 1,844
No worries.
I love it when people bring food to share. Beverages are often a hit as well.
Not sure if you or they are into live bait but bringing some spikes or wax worms might be a good idea. Can help to tip the jigs with them to encourage fish on a reluctant bite.
A couple of nice hauls shown there.
peteherbst
Well-Known Member
All good tips. If it’s your first time and you’re going to be around a bunch of guys, don’t be afraid to ask questions while on the ice too. Guys typically like to share their knowledge.
Swingin' Free
Well-Known Member
A spud, two good wacks on the ice every step or two. You'll know the ice is thick enough to hold you and you have a handy walking stick.
Spuds save lives......
Id venture to say there is more safe ice than not in wisconsin at the moment, im just outside of milwaukee and most inland lakes have almost a foot of ice! I've been on a dozen lakes in the last two weeks, the bite has been hit or miss. I will say, my one man shanty i drag out by hand and gear in it was more $ than my entire bowhunting setup (2020 bow, full tethrd setup, phantom, predator, modded novix minis, everything!!!) Don't even get me started on my musky fishing gear, I have an outdoors addiction for sure lol
Do
One of the most important pieces of gear when you don't know the ice thickness is a good quality, heavy ice chisel . I recommend the jiffy mille lacs standard. If I don't draw water with a solid hit with that chisel I know I am pretty good . I use it like a walking stick in fron of me as I go.
One of the most important pieces of gear when you don't know the ice thickness is a good quality, heavy ice chisel . I recommend the jiffy mille lacs standard. If I don't draw water with a solid hit with that chisel I know I am pretty good . I use it like a walking stick in fron of me as I go.
