We are just getting started, wanting to do some general ice fishing in north-west Michigan?
If you're fishing mainly for pan fish, ultra light is definitely the way to go. If you're going to be fishing for walleye or some other larger game fish, you might want to get the light combo. If you can get an extra spool for the light combo, put 2lb. test on it, and just change to the light line when you're after pan fish.
Setting up a reel on a tip-up when ice fishing for big northern pike, salmon and lake trout requires spinning several hundred yards of nylon or ...
I would like to know ALL the different types of fishing and the appropriate fishing rod used in each setting. I know that there is In/off shore, surf fishing, pier fishing, and ice fishing. What types of rods are used in these situations. Also, what other types of fishing are there? What kind of rods are used in those fishing? Thank you.
Just thumb through the Bass Pro Shops catalog, they have rods and reels for all types of fishing , and they will show you what goes where!!!
What line do you spool your reel with. What pound test?
It depends on what you are fishing, if you are fishing for small fighters like smelts, tomcod, small walleye and soles I would not go heavier than 8 pound test tangle free line. if you are going somewhere and do not know what you can get or for trout, mackeral, and maybe some bigger walleye I would go for 15 pound test. But if you are like me and go deep sea fishing for stuff like sharks and skates Do not go weaker than 50 pound test. On the whole I use 8-50 pound test tangle free line depending on what I fish. While ice fishing I use 10-15 pound tangle free line
Does anyone know where I can buy a pink or purple ice fishing rod-and-reel combo? It needs to be heavy or medium weight, also. Any suggestions appreciated.
BTW: fishergirl.com has full-size pink combos for cheap, but no ice fishing rods, and oceangirlfishing.com has lots of custom options for rods, but again no ice fishing rods, and way too expensive for me.
I found a cool combo online at Marine General. It's a Shakespeare LadyFish, which is their tribute to breast cancer awareness, apparently. Anyway, it's pink and silver and pretty much what I wanted. Thanks for the suggestions, all.
You might have to get a pink combo from either place you suggest and have it cut down for ice fishing. Not exactly what you wanted to hear, huh.
Here is another pink combo on the cheap:
http://sporting-goods.pricegrabber.com/fishing-rod-reel-combos/m/56272563/skd=1/search=pink%20fishing%20rod%20reel
I know where to find a complete rod and reel, But I don't need the handle. All I need is the rod part. No place I know of sells just the rod. I built the handle in woodshop, if you were wondering.
i use half of a normal fishing rod works better than those little dinky things
What is all the necessary equipment for ice fishing besides the Rod and Reel? Why do people have the portable heaters and point it towards the ice hole, is this so the water doesn't freeze. I just bought a Ice fishing Rod and was wondering can i use my Shimano Symetre 2500FI with 10lb braided test for ice fishing or do i need something smaller with a lower test.
Also if you do not have a depth finder how do you no how deep your fishing when ice fishing also what type of baits work for ice fishing. Live or Fake? Are Crappie minnows with a jig good?
Also I do not want to spend money and carrying a heavy Motorized Ice Auger so do those cheaper Hand Ice Auger work effectively. There are also different sizes for these Hand Augers what size is good?
Thanks so much- if you haven't notice this is going to be my first time Ice fishing.
Thanks for the help guys
Where are you Ice fishing?
In MN, there are only 5 major things you need to consistently catch fish & be comfortable doing it.
#1.) Auger- either an electric, gas, or hand auger.
#2.) Shelter- there are many variety's of shelters; Tents with the floor cut out, Clam shelters, built permanent houses, Etc.
#3.) Heat source- A decent propane heater with a low O2 oxygen cut-off.
#4.) A decent Flasher- Vexilar makes the most reliable (and cheapest) flasher , (Vexilar FL-8 $300)
#5.) Rods & Reels- A small spinning/ice-jig reel with 3-4LB diameter Power Pro or Berkley Ice Fireline.
Obviously, you don't want to go out and spend $6-$800 to get started?
Here's the Budget list-
1.) Auger- You HAVE to own an auger. A hand auger works fine for thin-medium thick ice, (6"-2FT). But they require some muscle power and sweat to utilize. The size hole you want to punch equals the size/species of fish you want to pursue. (Example- If your mainly after Panfish get the 5"; if your thinking Pike, Walleye, & Panfish get the 8"; if your mainly after Lake Trout/Large Pike & Big Walleye get the 10".)
However, understand: the larger the hand auger, the harder to punch holes. I suggest you get an 8" or 6". Lazer is a good brand.
2.) Shelter- If you don't want to purchase a Clam shelter or cheap tent you CAN just sit in a camp-chair or bucket on the ice.
The problem?
When you go it may only be 30 degree's outside, but once you get out in the middle of the lake due to wind the windchill will drop the temp 10-15 degree's.
Do you really want to sit on a bucket in 15-20 degree weather? I've done it plenty and it takes all the fun out of fishing! (lol) (Heck, I once almost literally froze my @ss off! lol)
3.) Heater- If your gonna sit on the ice get a cheapy heater, (with no O2 sensor/ like a Coleman Black Cat). At least you can keep your hands and feet warm and your hole open. If you decide to get a closed shelter you need a heater with a low O2 sensor so you don't suffocate yourself. "Mr Heater" is the best brand of portable propane heater's available, (with low O2 sensors).
4.) Flasher- You don't NEED a Vexilar but , (in most cases), it's the difference between catching "something decent" and catching nothing or 6" Perch all day!
You can get a used auger for $30, get an old used tent for $25 and cut the floor out, buy a Mr. Heater for $80-$100, BUT having a functional flasher will be one of your most important tools, (in my opinion).
Why?
1.) It gives you depth readings so you can find the exact place where drop-offs & lake structure are located, (in some cases you can be 6 FT off of a drop-off or a school of fish and you won't get a bite).
#2.) In "real time" you can watch your ice-jig and entice fish by actually jigging and watching fish hit, (in most cases you can watch fish hit your jig and know when to strike them).
#3.) Being able to see "thermoclines" is very important in ice fishing. Usually fish hover around the thermocline, if you have a Vexilar you can know exactly where (and at what depth) to drop your jig or jig/minnow.
Electronics are important when fishing "soft water" but when your ice fishing it is imperitive. When the water is 26 degrees and the fish move like they are in syrup you need all the help you can get to catch them! And Vexilars are super easy to read & operate; drop the puck in the hole and turn it on!
If you don't get a flasher then you better know the lake your fishing, or be an excellent lake map reader! Or you can use the old "Swede" method of clipping on a 1 OZ weight to your line to find out the depth. This works, but only gives you the depth.
5.) Rods & Reels- Ugly Stik makes a great Ice fishing rod, (esp for bait fishing). If your going to do some Ice-jigging for Panfish/Walleye get a rod with a sensitive tip. Lines OVER the diameter of 4LB-6LB mono are too heavy, (unless your fishing giant Lakers and then you could go as high as 8-10LB diameter). A 3-4LB braided line is perfect. Try Berkley Fireline and Power Pro in the 3-4LB range.
Baits- Yellow Ice float, split shot, hook is a good standard rig. You can also use an ice jig/minnow combo or an Ice Fly. The Rapala Ice Jig is popular.
Minnows- (Fathead & Crappie)- used for Crappie, Walleye, Pike.
Red Wigglers, Meal Worms, Maggots, Earthworms- Bluegill, Crappie.
Shiners- Walleye & Pike
Hope this helps ya? Good luck on your first trip!
The ice is gone and it isn’t coming back for nine months. Hooray! The open water fishing season is at hand.
I tend to put off a lot of things until the last minute. I hope you have better habits. Now is the time to get your reels cleaned and lubricated. Taking your reels to a tackle shop and having it professionally done is better than doing it yourself. A specialist will take apart the reel, clean and lubricate it.
I let a pro do it because I always seem to have parts left over.
Your rods should be inspected. The most important things to closely check are the line guides. Even a slight nick can cause a line to break under minimal pressure. The best way to check line guides is by lightly rubbing them, top, bottom and inside, with a cotton ball or a Q-tip. If any of the cotton sticks to the guide, have it replaced.
Lastly, you should strip your reels and replace the line. Fill your spinning reels almost to the limit but not wider than the end of the spool.
- Oct 21, 2009
Bundle up for fabulous fall fishingThe ColoradoanPrepare for ice fishing: Ice fishing is catching on in a big way here in the Rockies. It may be a couple of months before we have fishable ice anywhere- Oct 20, 2009
Smelting is one of the simple pleasures of late fall fishery: It doesn't take NewHampshire.comWe like mono line best for this, but any ice fishing line would also do. If you have a reel that you don't mind exposing to salt water, use it.- Oct 17, 2009
Lured to innovate: Invention wins family grand prize at competitionBaraboo News RepublicDarin Carignan was sitting on a bucket, ice fishing at Devil's Lake when an idea popped into his head.- Oct 25, 2009
Gulf pier offers lot of actionJackson Clarion LedgerI left hooked on pier fishing and knowing that I'd never return without a rod and reel. The action is consistent and you never know what your next catch- Oct 03, 2009
Thibodeau 'reel' winner vs. muskieBangor Daily NewsAlbert caught his fish while ice fishing on March 24, 2007. Thibodeau said using the orange deep-diving lure was a switch for him.Your source for the best ice fishing rod deals!
Ice Fishing Reels at discounted rate. Huge selection. See offers from many merchants around the country. Don't buy it until you see our offers.
Ice Fishing Heaters. Ice Fishing Line. Ice Fishing Rods & Reels ... Ice Fishing Rods & Reels. Ice Fishing Rods & Reels. This category contains 3 subcategories ...
