The New Fisherman’s Guide For Buying Ice Fishing Equipment
Ice fishing is Winter activity that can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of age. It’s relatively inexpensive to get started and with tips from experienced ice fishermen, a beginning fisherman can be expected to catch some fish their first trip or so out on the ice.
But what does a beginner need to begin ice fishing? A first timer has so many choices in fishing gear on the market now, First Timer can easily lay out hundreds of their hard earned money on ice fishing supplies and never get what they really need.
This is why I wrote this guide about essential ice fishing supplies that a Beginner will need to get started. What’s even better is that for less than what a Family of for can eat out at a steak house these days, you could buy all the fishing equipment that a person will need to start fishing on the hard water.
For starters, you will need to buy an auger to make holes in the ice. I recommend a five, possibly even a 6 inch ice auger for panfish like Perch, Bluegill and Crappie. If you want to go after bigger fish like Bass, Pike and Walleye, then For Beginners, I’d want a eight or ten inch auger meant for ice fishing. You have two choices, power augers or the manual augers. You need to keep in mind that the manual augers are cheaper to puchase but require more work to drill a hole. You’ll also need a scoop to keep the ice chips from the hole in the ice.
You’ll want to buy quality tip ups or ice rods. The majority of fishermen drill numerous holes over weed beds and other structure and use numerous tip-ups to increase their chances of catching their limit of fish. Other fishermen prefer to ice fish with a short rod. I’d get a few tip ups along with a good rod so you can see which one catches the most fish in your area.
Fishing line should be designed for ice fishing. The ice cold water can make fishing line brittle. For this reason you will want to make sure and buy line made for fishing through the ice. Cortland makes a product called Ice Line that is great. The line is the most critical part of your ice fishing tackle.
You will also need to get some jigs and lures for your tackle box. Miniture jigs are great for panfish. Also tear drop jigs and tiny spoons will come in handy when the panfish get finicky. As for bait, panfish love mealworms and spikes while larger fish such as Walleye prefer Worms or baitfish like smelt. You’ll want to chat with other fishermen to see what’s they recommend a Beginner use their first time out on the ice.
Don’t forget to bring along something to sit on. Many seasoned ice fishermen prefer an ordinary 5 gallon bucket. Few Beginners will bring along lawn chairs out on the ice, but a bucket will also help you haul your gear to and from the lake.
And that’s about all you need to to start ice fishing. Also you’ll need a fishing license and read up on the regulations for your local area. Being fined for breaking a law can ruin any trip. You’re cleared to go fishing and start drilling holes in the lake. Never forget the first rule of ice fishing, be safe and follow all the safety rules for being out on the ice during Winter.
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