Ice anglers gear up
Assortment of fishing equipment available on the market
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
Ice fishing and cold weather go hand in hand. It's what makes winter anglers a devoted group.
But the sport of ice fishing is relatively easy to master. All you have to do is drill an 8-to-10 inch hole through thick ice, set up a minnow-baited, tip-up and wait for a hungry fish to bite.
In ice fishing, standard tip-ups, also called ice fishing traps, are simple tools of the trade. And like other fishing equipment, tip-ups come in assorted styles and price ranges.
Most ice fishermen prefer underwater style tip-ups because the fishing reel has been designed to remain underwater to keep both fishing line and reel from freezing. Some major brand-name, tip-ups are made from durable ABS plastic and come in jet black or fluorescent orange for high visibility.
Clerks at several sporting good stories report Jack-traps or Heritage brand tip-ups as the most popular. The large hardwood framed tip-ups feature a special high visibility windproof signal flag and large spool capacity reel. Another recent tip-up innovation, the Deluxe Polar circular tip-up, fits right over a fishing hole to protect it from freezing over and also comes is fluorescent orange. Depending on quality, tip-ups can range from $5 to $25 each.
Maine laws and regulations allow anglers the use of five fishing lines through the ice during the season on most lakes and ponds. But certain bodies of water do have a special two-trap limit to help protect game fish. Anglers are advised to check the current Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's ice fishing regulations booklet before fishing any state waters. All fishing lines or tip-ups must be under the immediate supervision of the fisherman who set them at all times. To help land an expected lunker, most seasoned ice fishermen spool 100 yards or more of heavy nylon braided ice-line to tip-up reels before attaching a smaller diameter monofilament leader, lead sinker and hook.
A greater majority of avid ice fishermen use 40-pound test braided nylon backing line. A 100-yard spool of sand-colored braided fishing line cost around $6. Most brand name lines will weather a number of seasons before needing to be replaced.
Clear-coated monofilament fishing line is preferred over braided line for leader material. And similar to nylon braided line, monofilament is also marketed for tangle-free flexibility in the coldest weather. Good cold weather monofilament leader material will run around $3 to $4 for a small 10-yard spool, but it's well worth the extra money when attempting to ice a trophy.
Ice skimmers are used to remove ice chips once a fishing hole has been drilled through the ice. From past experience, we prefer ice skimmers with a built-in ice chisel to regular skimmers to help clear ice holes throughout the day. The cost is around $20 for a good combination ice chipper and skimmer.
Although gas-powered ice-augers are considered big-ticket items, most augers will last for years with proper care. Power augers' engines are manufactured in various horsepower for maximum boring speeds and cost $300 to $375. Auger bits come with 6, 8 or 10 inch-around drill sizes, with the latter most popular with fishermen. In Maine, Jiffy and Eskimo brand name power augers rate tops in customer reliability.
On a limited budget, Mora Company produces razor sharp hand-powered augers equipped with a 6 or 8 auger bit for under $40. Hand-powered augers work fine when drilling down through 6 to 8 inches of ice, but generally are hard to maneuver in thicker ice layers.
Ice fishermen use assorted minnows as bait, so a bait bucket to transport and keep bait lively out on the ice is a necessity. Bait buckets are basically plastic 5-gallon pails with sealed vented lids. Some bait bucket manufacturers add padded foamed filled lid covers for seats and Styrofoam liners for added insulation.
Depending on options, bait buckets usually run between $5 and $20. When purchasing a bait bucket, make sure to add a floating dip net to help hands stay dry and warm when reaching for bait in a minnow bucket. The small, inexpensive net runs about $2 and is worth its weight in gold on cold, blustery days.
Full-fingered, fleece-lined neoprene gloves are another hot item when it comes to keeping hands waterproof and added protection from winter's biting cold. For around $10, neoprene gloves keep hands comfortable and dry in all weather conditions.
To help carry all your new ice fishing gear, one might consider purchasing a midsize ABS plastic tote sled for about $70. Most lightweight plastic sleds are easy to pull and fit into the trunk of a car.
Most sporting goods stores now carry lightweight portable ice shanties that are basically small, fold-away tents to help protect anglers from the wind and cold. Many shelters feature clear plastic windows, waterproof polyethylene tent fabric for lasting protection and molded plastic sled bases with a tow rope. Depending on manufacturer options, several portable ice shanties will comfortably shelter two to four people from the elements and begin around $250.
For those glare-ice days, a pair of ice cleats provide a positive grip and traction on slippery surfaces. Most ice cleats can be easily attached or removed with little time or effort. Ice cleats start out at around $5 a pair and are available at most sporting goods stores.
Other great ideas for novice ice fishermen include disposable hand, feet and body warmers that activate when the package is opened and last up six to eight hours. At a $1.50 each, it's a cheap way of providing hours of comfortable heat while out on the ice.
With safety in mind, several ice fishing tackle manufacturers, such as South Bend, have introduced a vital piece of survival gear for every ice angler to wear. The hand-held product, called Ice Escape Life Preserver, was specifically designed to wear around the neck and features easy-grip spiked handles to used as grippers if an unfortunate soul falls through thin ice. For $10, the hand held life grips could save your life in an emergency.
Ice fishing season is with us until at least March 30, the official closing of the season. This winter season give ice fishing a try, it's still better than sitting at home with cabin fever.
Dwayne Rioux: 861-9287