ice fishing noob prep

[Jayhad]

Hey all I have a lifetime of river fly fishing, camping and hunting under my belt but I've only ice fished 3-5 times.
I have the rod reel combos, the foam rubber tile flooring, the Cabelas Thermal Hub, a Buddyflex heater, Jiffy auger, Jetsled sled, camp chairs, standard fishing tools, drill with extra battery for shelter anchors, 1lb propane tank, 20lb propane tank, propane hose, appropriate clothing, cooler, Coleman stoves, and cooking supplies.
I don't have any electronics yet and will wait until next season for those purchases.
What terminal tackle do I need and what have I forgot?
Thanks

[sns2]

Ice scoop to clear holes

Tape measure to see if fish are legal.

Some scoops have measuring marks on the handle.

[Jayhad]

Ice scoop to clear holes

Tape measure to see if fish are legal.

Some scoops have measuring marks on the handle.

Hmm, I really thought I wouldn't need one inside the tent, thank you. Had one in my hand today, whoops.

[BushNinja]

Hey all I have a lifetime of river fly fishing, camping and hunting under my belt but I've only ice fished 3-5 times.

I have the rod reel combos, the foam rubber tile flooring, the Cabelas Thermal Hub, a Buddyflex heater, Jiffy auger, Jetsled sled, camp chairs, standard fishing tools, drill with extra battery for shelter anchors, 1lb propane tank, 20lb propane tank, propane hose, appropriate clothing, cooler, Coleman stoves, and cooking supplies.

I don't have any electronics yet and will wait until next season for those purchases.

What terminal tackle do I need and what have I forgot?

ThanksWhisky and good company [emoji12]

Sounds like you're all set! GPS is nice to find those hot spots. I've drilled holes before, dropped the camera down only to find a twisted mess of mooring cable and steel lol.

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[fisher69]

If you have the buddy heater and hose adapter for a larger tank, make sure it is either the official 10ft buddy hose that is plasticizer free, or get the buddy fuel filter for it. Or if it's the larger heater that has a regulator and quick connect you are good. Because the other heaters have the regulator where you would normally screw in the 1lb tanks you end up with high pressure in the hose and this leeches out oils from the hose and it can clog and wreck the heater

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[AlbertanGP]

A shovel to clear snow where you want to set up your tent. Watch that the skirt doesn't get wet and freeze in.
Scoop to clear holes as already mentioned.
Carry your 20lb bottle out in a milk crate (https://www.homedepot.ca/product/hdx-heavy-duty-milk-crate-with-reinforced-handles/1000816782) and tip it over and set your Buddy heater on it when you get out so you don't have a slippery puddle in the tent.
A good flashlight that will remain bright in the cold and has the battery to stay lit for a long time. You'll use it more than you think setting up and tearing down. Get one that can use the same batteries as your drill. I use this one (https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ridgid-18v-cordless-lithium-ion-hybrid-light-cannon-tool-only-/1001012160).
A Smitty sled if you plan to pull that Jiffy sled all loaded up with all this gear.
Hand warmers (https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/grabber-hand-warmers-2-pk-0750050p.html#srp). Trust me on this one.

[Gbuss]

Jigging spoon
Rattle baits/lipless cranks in smaller sizes
Jigs/glow jigs
Tent fan to help push the hot air down
Tub jigs
Split shots
Bare hooks.

[Alberto S]

Jigging spoon
Rattle baits/lipless cranks in smaller sizes
Jigs/glow jigs
Tent fan to help push the hot air down
Tub jigs
Split shots
Bare hooks.

Yes. I join with you.

[Bhflyfisher]

I'd argue that a fish finder is almost the most important piece of kit next to a tent and heater. Being in the right depth or even knowing where fish are suspended is about 90% of the battle some days.

[Scott N]

I like having a folding style table in my tent too, I throw it in with the folding chairs.

[58thecat]

internal LED lights to light up the inside, two carbon monoxide detectors if staying out overnight but regardless always leave the vents open.
electronics with built in gps....soooo much easier to get to old haunts and be on the fish that much quicker.
small collapsible table to store items under and have the top to prep food etc.
interlocking floor mats for extended stays on the ice.
most everything is covered ohh and if there is room a nice compact portapotty nothing like staying warm and watching your lines.:)

[pikeman06]

The best winter boots and socks you can afford, frozen feet and ice fishing are like turkey and mashed potatoes. If you don't have a tent and heater drill lots of holes and walk lots or your feet are gonna be toast.

[Bushleague]

Hey all I have a lifetime of river fly fishing, camping and hunting under my belt but I've only ice fished 3-5 times.
I have the rod reel combos, the foam rubber tile flooring, the Cabelas Thermal Hub, a Buddyflex heater, Jiffy auger, Jetsled sled, camp chairs, standard fishing tools, drill with extra battery for shelter anchors, 1lb propane tank, 20lb propane tank, propane hose, appropriate clothing, cooler, Coleman stoves, and cooking supplies.
I don't have any electronics yet and will wait until next season for those purchases.
What terminal tackle do I need and what have I forgot?
Thanks

Basically, so long as I've got some means of storing line, some way of drilling a hole, warm clothes, and an ice scoop I'm pretty confident.

For terminal tackle, while I've tryed all manner of ice specific lures I mostly just use the same spoons and jigs I use in the summer. A basic selection of 1/2 and 1/4 oz Len Thompsons, a few Williams spoons, and some terminal tackle for fishing bait will catch most predator species. A few teardrop type hooks for panfish, for trout I've never found anything that works better than half a crawler on a #8 hook. And dont forget the Tip-ups, ones that jig in the wind generally work best for me, on really cold days the kind that keep the spool submerged down the hole are a better option.

While I have most of the equipment you describe, I very rarely take most of it. I like to move around and cover lots of water, if its too cold I read a book or play cards in the truck and let my tip-ups do the fishing. If its really cold and I cant get my truck on the ice I might bring a tent, or if I plan to stay the night.

I'd call this a pretty practical minimum.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50839083661_8f244d3fb6_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2kstAnc)DSCF1871 (https://flic.kr/p/2kstAnc) by [/url], on Flickr

Works plenty good.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50839082441_8fda496cfe_k.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/153108294@N08/)DSCF1877 (https://flic.kr/p/2kstA1a) by , on Flickr

My kids call these "Dad's magic tip-ups. They generally outfish me by at least 3-1. Been plenty of trips that would have been an absolute bust if I didnt have the tip-ups out, and plenty non' stop action days that would have merely been marginal without them.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49688691136_62d8b1068b_k.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/153108294@N08/)DSCF1389 (https://flic.kr/p/2iGPwKj) by , on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49688157168_d37944aad4_k.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/153108294@N08/)DSCF1388 (https://flic.kr/p/2iGLN1Y) by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/153108294@N08/], on Flickr

[Jayhad]

i've got a GPS I rarely use, so I'll toss that in my gear kit.... how about some waypoints :snapoutofit:


Bushleague, do you make those? It looks like 1x2 and some spring steel

[Bushleague]

i've got a GPS I rarely use, so I'll toss that in my gear kit.... how about some waypoints :snapoutofit:


Bushleague, do you make those? It looks like 1x2 and some spring steel

Yep, I make them.

I cut a strip off a 2x4, just a tad wider than the banding so the the arm can slide through the "retainer", also made of banding. Cut the top at an angle to make the flag stand up nice when it pops, I like thinner banding for the flag and you need to bend the end a little so it doesnt flick off the spool. You can control how easily it trips by how much you bend end of the flag, a little more of a bend is good for windy days. I used to use empty line spools, but having the little handle on the store bought ones is allot more convenience for very little money. You need to put some thought into the location of the spool in relation to the length of your flag.

I cut about a 2-3" square of non corrugated carboard, put two little slits in it so it can slide onto the arm-band. You can make up a few different sizes to use in different wind conditions.

About the coolest thing about them, because they bend so easily you can see how long fish will mouth the bait before they actually trip the flag, some days even pike will do this for a surprising amount of time. Walleye generally take pretty slow and I try to set the hook before it trips, as I feel that when the sinkers fall it can spook the fish and make them spit the bait sometimes. If its not too deep I generally try not to run any weight at all if I can help it, especially for pike, burbot often wont trip the flag at all, just sit there and chew on the bait.

[graybeard]

Try and leave the site like you found it!!

Using your shovel or an old grass fan rake, to gather up sunflower seeds/ peanut shells, tangled line, cigar butts, beer cans etc.

I have seen some horrible sites left behind....LITTLE TO NO RESPECT....

[AlbertanGP]

Try and leave the site like you found it!!

Using your shovel or an old grass fan rake, to gather up sunflower seeds/ peanut shells, tangled line, cigar butts, beer cans etc.

I have seen some horrible sites left behind....LITTLE TO NO RESPECT....

Nobody's bringing a $%^&ing grass rake ice fishing. Where do you come up with this BS?!?

[anthony5]

Jayhad, you seem to have all of the basics covered for icefishing. You really won't know what you do or do not need until you've made a few trips out onto the ice. Multiple locations will bring new challenges, just go over what you may or may not need before you leave. You will do just fine, enjoy this crazy sport.
Always check ice thickness if alone.

[dmeinder]

A carbon monoxide detector!

[Deep]

Worked outdoors for years, tested many and found "Hot Hands" to be the best for cold conditions....

[Lambo]

Nobody's bringing a $%^&ing grass rake ice fishing. Where do you come up with this BS?!?

X2. I bring ALOT of gear but no rake. Lol!

[fish99]

X2. I bring ALOT of gear but no rake. Lol!

no grass on your lake lol

[graybeard]

X2. I bring ALOT of gear but no rake. Lol!

Lambo, you live in Cochrane, take a quick trip up to Winchell Lake (just south of Water Valley) in the winter or summer and you will be disgusted; especially in the summer.

I rest my case.

Maybe the rake is a little over the top (I even snickered after the fact), but my point is to have people simply take their trash home....

Good luck,

[grunt007]

If your taking buddies with you best get a Nodwell and at least 4 sleighs.