Ice Fishing 2015/16, Getting out on the lake!

[peter_singh]

Good morning to all members!

This year I decided to go all out and got all the gear needed.
I tried this about 2 years ago but realized how much of a problem it was getting out on the lake with no snowmobile or ATV.

First order of business- get an ATV! Picked up an Arctic cat TRV 700 XT. This should get the job done! Picture attached!

Questions I have are- should I get chains for this ATV? and since I have a trailer for it, and the
ATV has a 2 inch ball with a hitch on it. Can I just off load the ATV on shore, then load up all my gear into the trailer and attach it and take it out?

Other things I got was the Fish Inn ice shelter from Costco- 4-6 person, got the Tempest Auger as well. The rest of the gear I already had from the last few years.

[riverrat]

Nice machine and good luck! Ya walking sucks!

[bluenote]

May be better to pull a sled rather than trailer. Costco usually has large sleds for sale this time of year or soon. Not sure your trailer size / wheels. Trailer may get hung up on snow. Or caught in ruts.

Hope to see your photos when out fishing.

Thanks

[Fishing Rod]

Nice rig.
Chains for sure.
We don't usually see atv's pulling large trailers on the lake, just sleighs.
Problem is that it is so much bigger than your atv that it will be the like dragging a pig when going through drifts, slush etc.

[king killer]

Pull my 4x8 trailer all the time as long as theres not too much snow. You have plenty of power with that machine.

[peter_singh]

Thanks for the reply.
I do have a sled as well from the last time I did this.

Question is, does the sled have to be tied to the ATV by some kind of static means? like a bar or something? or will a rope do?

[mainstay]

I wouldn't use a rope, static is the way to go for sure...

[danop316]

Nice Bike!

Pretty sure the sled has to be towed by a rigid hitch - I believe its a ticket-able offence.

I ran chains last year but was plagued with breaking links - upgrading tires this year instead.

dan

[bluenote]

Has to be fixed bar. Not rope - some law (that makes sense).

I got coaching on this site to do properly. Last year I modified the standard sled bar's hitch for a 2" ball to fit on Argo. I posted pictures of final set up - nearly 1 year ago.

Thanks

[4d277]

you are going to like the fish inn got one 4 years ago works good

[cottagebum]

I got my chains last year from Royal D in Innisfil. Had to shorten them up a bit, but they work. This year I might pick up a set for my front tires too...

[blaster50]

Chain her up and get a toe bar from BPS or you turn left and the trailer swings right and all the gear spills out. Haha! you gonna have fun..

[Grandpa Jim]

I'd strongly suggest you purchase chains for the rear wheels only. I put a full set on my Yamaha years ago and discovered the front chains dug in to deep drifts as opposed to "floating" up and over as it does without the front chains. I upgraded my stock tires and haven't bothered with chains at all for the past few winters. Regardless of some of the claims you will hear from ATVers about their machines NEVER getting stuck on Simcoe, I'd also suggest a good quality shovel is a must for your every outing equipment list. Any ATV made will occasionally encounter "NO-GO" conditions due to excessive drifting, deep slush fields, pressure cracks, etc. Even tracked ATV's can encounter difficulties when Simcoe is at its winter worst.

[bentauger]

I always carry a long tow strap to assist when required!

It is a lot faster then deploying a winch cable.

[Fish4Dinner]

I went 2 years without chains. Pick your days. With or without chains... I won't go if there is 3 feet of snow. If you go with no chains as I do and hit a snow drift.... Don't let off the gas!