Monthly Archives: January 2013

Ice Fishing: Working the Water Column

Posted on by

I fished a local ice fishing tournament this weekend.  The temperature was below freezing.  The wind was howling.  And the bite was slow.  I had a fabulous time!

When I arrived, I scanned the ice and quickly developed a strategy.  I set up my tip-ups in a “straight” line, with each successive tip-up penetrating deeper into the water column.

Fish360 Ice Fishing

From base camp, tip-ups 1 and 2 were in the shallower portions of the water column.  Tip-ups 3, 4, and 5 were in the deeper portions of the water column.  This layout helped to identify where the hungry fish were lurking.  Tip-ups 4 and 5 hooked ravenous yellow perch of respectable size.

Fish360 Ice Fishing

I have a new found respect for yellow perch.  After I set the hook, the fish shook its head and swam from side to side, the whole way up.  What an aggressive species!

I had a fabulous time for several reasons.  First, I was warm the entire time, complements of my new gear.  Second, I found and caught fish.  And third, I made some new friends. 😉

Facebooktwitterlinkedin

Ice Fishing The Ultimate Guide

Posted on by

When I started ice fishing, I only had a rudimentary knowledge of targeting fish through a hole in the ice. Several seasons latter, I am still a student of hard water fishing.  My go-to knowledge source is Ice Fishing The Ultimate Guide by Tim Allard.

Fish360 Ice Fishing The Ultimate Guide

The book is well written and comprehensive.  Allard covers gear, safety, and targeting fish.  There are five chapters on gear; clothing, augers, tackle, shelters, and electronics are all covered in full.  The chapter on safety is indispensable; it’s value exceeds the cost of the book.  The majority of the book (9 chapters) is focused on finding and catching fish like crappie, walleye, pike, trout, eelpout, and bass.

Whether you ice fish for fun, food, or competition, Ice Fishing Ultimate Guide by Tim Allard is required reading.

Facebooktwitterlinkedin

The Northface Mittens for Ice Fishing

Posted on by

I have always used gloves.  Why?  Because they feel functional.  🙂  However, they are not as warm as mittens. 🙁  A tip that I learned from Joe Brortz during his Ice Fishing seminar at the Plum Island Surfcasters is that an ice fishing angler should carry gloves and mittens.  Each have their purpose.

There are a variety high-tech mittens on the market.  I purchased a  pair of The Northface Montana Mitts from Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS).

Fish360 The Northface Mittens for Ice Fishing

The mittens are waterproof and breathable.  They different amounts of insulation on the palms and on the back-of-hand areas.I have field tested these mittens under a variety of conditions.  They were surprisingly functional and they kept my hands warm!  I give them two thumbs up!  I am now convinced that real ice anglers wear mittens. 😉

Facebooktwitterlinkedin

Cabelas Inferno Boots

Posted on by

The first time that I went ice fishing, a fellow Plum Island Surfcaster told me: “As long as your feet are warm, you’re all set.”  OMG.  This could not be closure to the truth!

I retired my first pair of “ice fishing” boots at the end of last season.  I hope they can recycle the duck tape also. 😉  After much research, I asked Santa for a pair of Cabelas Inferno boots.  And he delivered! 🙂

Fish360 Cabelas Inferno Boots

The boots have a quality construction and some impressive features.  For example, they are 100% waterproof and they have an aggressive snow-gripping outer sole.  And most importantly, 2,000 grams of 3M Thinsulate Ultra!

Fish360 Cabelas Inferno Boots

I tested theses boots during a recent snowplowing and snow shoveling excursion in my Chevy Suburban.

Fish360 Cabelas Inferno Boots

They felt light and comfortable on my feet.  Even after eight hours, they still provided great support.  They kept my feet warm the whole time.  No.  Toasty!  🙂

I give the Cabelas Inferno boots two thumbs up.  Or is that, two toes up?  I cannot wait to get on the ice with them and fish!

Facebooktwitterlinkedin