How many IceHeads? or Iceaholics?

[Brent]

Who on here is looking forward to icefishing? Have you started getting your gear ready>

[jl3140]

I'm ready! Haha  I can't wait until ice season. I've got so many different lures to try out. I do have one question though. What brand and pound test do you use on your ice reels? I will be going after mainly walleye and northern.

[andrewlamberson]

Well...given that I've made over 250 plastic ice baits in the last couple weeks...I think I qualify!

I pretty much only panfish during the "hard water season", but my the rod I keep ready for Northern Pike when they swim into the camera (yeah...I use an ice fishing/underwater camera!) has 20lb test PowerPro on it. My Ugly Stick icefishing panfish rods have 2lb test Diameter PowerPro on them and the St. Croix ice rod has the 1lb diameter (5lb test) PowerPro Ice (Yellow) on it.

The Nano will be an AWESOME ice bait! I use the 1.75 a lot last year and that triangle tail really shines underwater. I think the key to those baits is the triangle tail.

I finally got my underwater camera to record to my laptop....so I'll get some video of the Fry baits as soon as we get enough ice.

[Brent]

I have WAY TOO MANY rods, but this is my go to set up;


Custom Rod, LL Bean Quest2 fly reel, Dacron backing 2 lb Seagaurd floro, I run a Vex FL20 but also have a Marcum as well as a Aquaview with recorder. The shack depends on where I'm going, I have 2 Clam Pros, and Frabill Fortress with the built in skis and a Frabill Caboose. I just bought an Arctic Cat Quad to help carry all the gear...LOL

[gwk]

I am ready . just hope we have a normal winter this year in Illinois, that quest reel is a great priced reel for ice fishing have 2 myself. looks like a bangs lake pumkinseed

[jl3140]

I pretty much only panfish during the "hard water season", but my the rod I keep ready for Northern Pike when they swim into the camera (yeah...I use an ice fishing/underwater camera!) has 20lb test PowerPro on it.

Is that braided line?

[ctom]

Power Pro is a braid, yes. The 20 pound I think has an 8 pound diameter, but it could even be 6 pound diameter.

[Muskygary]

I like icefishing, but not until we get at least four inches of ice! So, here in northern Indiana I have'nt had much ice fishing the last two years. Fish mainly for bluegill and perch. Boy do they taste good coming out of that cold water!

[ctom]

The flag is hanging straight down this morning for a change. At least at 7 AM it is. 14 degrees right now, so I'd guess that some ice is going atop the water in lots of places. Ski resorts are making snow and one not too far north of Rochester opened yesterday. I'm not crazy about ice fishing anymore and all this cold can bring snow. I don't have to work very hard at getting rid of rain, but snow can be another story.

[Brent]

New custom rod today!!! SWEET!!! Ordered new jig box and gas cap for auger.

Let me ask you this....How or in what do you store your plastics? I have not found a very good way and have a TON of plastic, I almost never use live bait.

[ctom]

Two methods I have used over the years. If you have a port and a way to pull it you can get by with a couple three of the plano 1" 3700 size boxes. Get those with a LOT of adjustment slices and you can put a ton of plastic in just one box. 2 or three boxes will keep you well armed for the winter.

The other is to use a binder with plastic ziplock pages insside. Keep a couple of these binder filled with 2"x2" tackle baggies loaded with a dozen or so of your pet colors and profiles. Again, a couple of these binders will haul a bazillion pieces of plastic.

[andrewlamberson]

I went to Fleet Farm and got some Plano boxes ( PLANO 3455) which have 12 compartments for my "bulk" storage.....and the small Clam Dual Tray box to keep in my pocket for my most used jigs and plastics.

I like the Plano boxes because nothing gets wet and soggy when they get snowed on.

I then put them into the pockets of my ice rod case.

I'm thinking about using one of those orange waterproof boat boxes..with the baits and misc. on the bottom and lighters, hand warmers etc on the top tray.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Plano-Deep-Dry-Storage-Box-with-Tray-Orange/20563446

We are "Making Ice" again tonight....low in the teens. It appears most of the backwater areas have a skim of ice. I don't think I'll be out on it any time soon! I need a good 4" before I venture out. But, if the forecast is accurate...I may be getting in some Walleye fishing below the dam over the next weekend....if I can find a local launch that is not iced in. Probably will be able to put in at Breezy Point or a small, old bed rock launch over on Latch Island. The other alternative is to "ice fish" off the docks over at the Minnesota City Boat Club. Drill a small hole in the ice...but stand/sit on the docks. It's a favorite of the old guys...or those of us that get a bug to get out of the house!

I apparently have developed Attention Deficient Disorder in my old age...I can't seem to make baits for more than a couple hours before I get the bug to get outside and use some of them! I wonder if it would work to drop shot those new 4.5" Dragon Tails I've been making through a hole in the ice?? (sad thing is...I will probably find out!!!)