Quality Tip-Ups are necessary for Ice fishing success!
Fishing on the ice can be pleasant and rewarding with the right equipment. Using the right ice auger, fishing pole, tip-up, line, reel, and wearing the proper clothing is all part of ice fishing success. LetÂ’s face it, if are not comfortable, you will not enjoy the ice fishing experience. If you donÂ’t have the proper equipment, or good working equipment, you may not have success or very much fun!
The Tip-Up is necessary in my mind because it allows you to fish in numerous spots all at the same time. I start with three holes in the ice and three tip-ups all positioned about 30 to 40 feet or more from each other so you are fishing different areas of the lake at one time rather than sitting at one spot with a fishing pole. I like to sit in one spot jigging with a fishing pole while keeping an eye out for all the tip-ups, so IÂ’m actually fishing 4 spots all at the same time, increasing my chances of catching fish greatly. Be careful not to place the tip-ups to far away from where you are going to be. You need to make sure you are able to get there quick enough when you get a bite.
As far as tip-ups go, use good quality equipment because you donÂ’t want problems out on the ice after going through all the trouble of drilling holes and getting your gear all together not to mention the walk to your favorite spots. I use the Beaver Dam tip-up from the Arctic Fisherman. This tip-up has been around for more than 60 years! Its quality is second to none. I have discovered that fisherman and women who buy a Beaver Dam tip-up are educated about the sport of ice fishing and aware of its quality craftsmanship, traditions, and fish catching ability. Unlike most other tip-ups the Beaver Dam tip-up is totally repairable if something does go wrong with it. Everything is repairable on the Beaver Dam Tip-up. The Arctic Fisherman company, who makes the tip-up re-grease about 1,000 tip-ups per season with a freeze proof lubricant that is still a family secret to this day. This lubricant works better than anything else on the market.
The Beaver Dam tip up is a solid brass, flag-holding, spin-trigger that is tapered on one end to release the flag rod after the lightest of bites, which means you want to make sure you are not to far away so you can set the hook quickly. Plus it also features anti-wind slots for breezy conditions, and to slow down the action for heavier strikes. The spin trigger rod is supported by an aluminum bearing and a seamless steel tube filled with freeze-proof lubricant. The underwater mechanism consists of a snag-proof free running spool topped by a heavy duty solid brass line guide designed to eliminate drag by swinging into the direction of the strike and yet heavy enough to prevent unwinding by the live bait.
This may sound like an endorsement of this product because it is. This is the best quality tip-up on the market and with factory support! Go Ice Fishing and take a child with you. Here is a DNR website that gives you a list of everything you need to go ice fishing.
Jeff Bausch has been fishing for over 40 years. He started a lake map business with the best fishing spots marked plus a fishing newspaper many years ago. Fishing has always been a passion, now he is sharing his fishing knowledge about how to use lake maps and how to fish any lake with great success.
Ice fishing is very popular among fishing enthusiasts. This is due to its nature, where you do not need many supplies, and the supplies that you might need are affordable and won't burn a hole through your pocket. This article will discuss some of this important equipment.
Do keep in mind that with the many choices of equipment available, you are bound to find that the prices for the equipment range from the very cheap to the very expensive. What you need is to get equipment that is of reasonable quality, something that will last you more than a fishing season. Always try to avoid the very cheap equipment as they can be flimsy and not last long, which means you need to replace them often. The wiser bet is for you to purchase slightly higher priced equipment so that you are guaranteed of a couple fishing seasons.
Fishing rods: all fishing equipment lists should start with a good quality fishing rod, including ice fishing. A good fishing rod for ice fishing is short and very strong to make sure that it can take the strain and weight of the fish. Ice fishing can also make use of the tip up, a rod or a reel that is attached to a board or a 'cap' that is placed above the hole in the ice. There is also a flag or a small marker which is connected to the rod or the spring. This means that when you catch a fish, the marker will move to alert you and you can then start to work on the line and hook the fish. Most of the time, anglers will have several lines in ice holes with tip-ups so that they can see which line the fish is biting. When they see the marker, they'll then concentrate on single line fishing on that particular ice hole.
Fishing lines: when you go ice fishing, do keep in mind that the lines that you use in spinners or during fly fishing which is called the monofilament line is not suitable. Monofilament lines will not be able to take the weight, thus a braided line with a test weight of about 10 to 20 pounds will be a better choice. The braided line is your best bet as it is very suitable for withstanding the cold and icy conditions during an ice fishing trip.
Fishing baits and lures: for ice fishing you can use almost any type of lures. However the best choice would be to use the colorful and shiny minnows, plastic worms, live bait and ice jigs. These are the times that you should have in your tackle box before you go ice fishing.
Ice auger: An ice auger can save you a lot of time as it helps you cut the ice for your ice hole. Pick one that is gas operated, and you will find that you can save money and time using an auger. Do remember that the safe depth for ice fishing is at least 4 inches.
Shelter: now that you're going to fish, you need some sort of shelter to break the wind. A simple three-sided frame with a tarp stretched across would be just as effective as the many different types of canvas, plastic and even insulated shelters or 'igloo' shelters that are available in the market. A good shelter can be pulled onto the lake or be set up once you get there.
Skimmer: a skimmer is a flat slotted paddle or a slotted spoon. Its function is to remove the ice crystals from the fishing hole. Also, many anglers now have 'caps' which can help to provide a thermal layer over the fishing hole and in turn prevents in from freezing over.
First aid kit: anytime you are outdoors, you should carry a first aid kit with you. Now that you'll be out in the cold, you'll get cold fingers which are prone to cuts on hooks, so carry a first aid kit and you'll be prepared for what is to come.
And finally, do remember to have all important documents together with your fishing equipment. This includes your identification and your current fishing license. Other additional supplies such as chairs, blankets, heaters or even a camping stove can certainly provide more comfort for you and will add to your ice fishing experience.
Juzaily Ramli loves to fish and also the owner of Fishing Guide and Tips website that gives weekend anglers a complete and up-to-date secrets of the pro fishermen such as ice fishing tips, reviews of ice fishing equipment and boats, fishing hotspots and more.
