Equipped for Ice Fishing
Copyright © 2001 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
Ice fishermen are a devoted lot, and they need to be in order to survive a day out on a sleek frozen surface while patiently waiting for fish to bite. Facing a dramatic change in weather and temperature go hand in hand for winter anglers. It's just part of the overall game plan.
For most ice fishermen, catching fish through the ice is a science of special tactical maneuvers similar to those used by fiery open-water fishermen.
But learning to ice fish is as easy as pulling a sled and can be loads of fun for the whole family.
To begin ice fishing, the basics begin by drilling an 8 to 10-inch hole down through safe ice, setting up a minnow baited tip-up and having enough patience to sit out in the cold winter elements, waiting for hungry fish to bite.
Standard tip-ups, also called fishing traps, are the ice fisherman's simple tools of the trade. And like most fishing equipment sold, tip-ups come in assorted styles and price ranges.
In Maine, winter anglers prefer underwater style tip-ups because the fishing reel has been designed to remain underwater, keeping both fishing line and reel free from freezing.
Some major brand-name tip-ups are made of durable hard ABS plastic and come jet black or fluorescent orange for high visibility. After calling several area sporting goods stores, the majority of clerks we spoke to reported Heritage brand tip-ups as the best buy for the money. The large hardwood framed tip-up feature a high visibility windproof signal flag, large spool capacity reel and adjustable star-drag line tension control system.
Another recent tip-up innovation, the Deluxe Polar circular tip-up fits snugly over a fishing hole to protect it from freezing over. Depending on quality, tip-ups can range from $5 to $20 each in price.
LINE: Maine general laws and regulations allow anglers the use of No. 5 fishing line through the ice during the official ice fishing season. And all fishing lines or tip-ups must be under the immediate supervision of the fisherman who set them.
Many seasoned ice fishermen spool at least a 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 to catch fish.
We've used 40-pound test braided nylon backing line for years with great success. A threaded spool of sand-colored braided fishing line cost around $5-$6 and ice line will weather through a number of seasons before replacing.
Clear-coated monofilament fishing line is preferred over braided line for leader material. Like nylon braided line, monofilament is marketed for tangle-free flexibility in the coldest weather. Good monofilament leader material will run $3 to $4 for a small 10-yard spool.
AUGERS: Although gas-powered ice augers are considered big ticket items, most augers, like lawnmowers, will last for years with proper care. Power augers engines are manufactured for various horsepower to produce maximum boring speeds. Auger bits come with 6, 8, or 10-inch bore sizes, with the latter most popular with fishermen. In Maine, Jiffy and Eskimo brand name power augers rate tops in customer reliability, but will cost between $250 and $300. If your on a limited budget, there are several companies which manufacture hand-powered augers equipped with a 6 or 8-inch bore bit for under $40. Hand-powered augers require plenty of muscle to operate and work fine in six to eight inches of ice, but generally hard to maneuver in thicker ice layers.
BAIT: Ice fishermen use assorted live minnows as bait, so a owning a bait bucket is a necessity. Bait buckets are basically five-gallon plastic pails with sealed vented lid covers. Some bait bucket manufacturers have add padded foamed filled lids for seats and Styrofoam liners for insulation as extra options. Most bait shops or sporting goods dealers sell bait buckets between $5 and $20.
When buying a bait bucket, add the price of a small floating dip net to overall cost. Dip nets keep hands dry and warm when reaching for slippery minnows. The small inexpensive net runs around $2 and worth its weight in saving hands from frostbite.
Full-fingered fleece lined neoprene gloves are another hot item when it comes to keeping hands waterproof and warm 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 small ABS plastic tote sled for around $20. Most lightweight sleds are easy to pull and fit into the trunk of a car.
Many sporting goods stores now carry lightweight portable ice shanties which are basically small fold-away tents to help protect anglers from cold winds. 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 $200.
For glare ice days, a pair of ice cleats help provide a positive grip and traction on slippery icy surfaces. Ice cleats start out at around $5 a pair at most sporting goods stores.
SAFETY: 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, has been specifically designed to wear around the neck and features easy-grip spiked handles as emergency grippers if an unfortunate soul falls through thin ice. For $10, the hand held life grips should be a must on your shopping list.
With colder weather finally here, it shouldn't be long for ice fishing season to kick in full swing. This winter season give ice fishing a try, it's still better than sitting at home suffering from cabin fever.