What I learned this year Ice fishing

[fisherman2280]

It was my first time Ice fishing and I feel I learned a lot but the hard way almost always.

Please add suggestions so next year will be even better because I really enjoyed it.



Bring 3 pairs of gloves and save one for the trip off the ice.

Take great care with your auger and put the cover back on right away.

Floor pads make such a difference. It keeps it clean and your feet a lot warmer.

Metal scoop because the plastic ones suck and break.

Nasty weather = better fishing.

Don't bother getting up early because there is no point.

Don't work on anything over the hole.

Mono seems to freeze less than braid.

Lie about how far out you really are and how cold it really is.

Don't tell your mom your going out even though your a grow a## man.

Keep your phone in your pocket that zips up, that cold drains the power very fast.

Take 2-3 lighters to have some back up and I even pop one in my boot to keep it warm and working.

Buy boots 3-4 sizes too big so you can wear all the socks in the closet.

Long johns suck but jogging pants are good with a pair of snow pants.

Extra paid of blades.


I could make a cartoon with all the problems and failures I went though this year. But it was fun and I thought I finally started getting the hang of it until the very last trip when my tent turned into a parachute and I'm holding on laid out on the ice.

So that's what those strings and pegs are for dammit.......

[Chevy]

Experience through failure …. Welcome to ice fishing.
Enjoyed the read and thanks for the chuckle

[mamona]

^^ Nasty weather = better fishing

[kenster]

Phone in pocket doesn't go down the hole.
hand warmers are good to have on cold days.
Last two days were tough fishing.Never hit the minnow but hit a stopped spoon.
I had a Huge Ling sideways at the hole and got off. Lesson is Don't Rush a big fish.
I also have a long ice scoop with a hook for grabbing the big pike.
My Two cents

[marcballs]

make sure you like the person you're bringing with you.
don't forget your lunch on shore
if your fishing buddy smokes, make them pay for the propane (they open the door every 30 mins)
don't expect to catch anything and you wont be let down.

[icecy]

Here's an idea for the phone. You can hang it from your neck and keep it close to your body in your jacket to save the battery power. You can still use the phone as the clear plastic doesn't prevent touch sensitivity. It is waterproof so If for some reason it falls through the hole it will float so you can recover the phone, also saves the phone from water splashes.

I also cut a piece from a bubble envelop to size and insert it behind the phone to add more buoyancy (as seen on the left of the photo). Works great, I no longer fear losing my phone while fishing.