It was the Wednesday right before Thanksgiving. Very brisk day out in Eastern South Dakota. After waiting all day it was time to hit the night bite. All day I was wondering “should I leave at 3 pm punch my holes before dark and set up the otter or should I wait til just before dark and punch my holes”. Well I got bored so off to the lake a local lake 5 miles from my house. I fished this lake all week finding very good success on a night walleye bite. It was what early ice was all about. I had spudded out the days before and a good solid 5 inches of ice. So on this day I just figured it was still good right? Well I was wrong. At this time I just had on my every day chore bibs and heavy jacket. No floatation device. No ice picks. Anyways back to the story I walked passed every other shack to get to the hotspot and that’s when I hit a spot of bad ice. Going in up to my shoulders it scared me at first but I soon realized if I panic I die. I just have to stay calm. Trying to stay call when the wind is howling and no one can hear me yelling for help. That’s when I realized I was on my own. Only spending just under a minute in the water I finally pulled my self out and getting my shack over to safe ice as well. Now I was 18 years old at the time and knew it could’ve ended completely different. What if I came out in the dark like I wanted to? Would have I had more trouble? What if someone just ignored my cries for help? I soon got back to the truck and went home. My family none to impressed and said I was crazy for going out there. And they all knew that would probably scare me so bad that I would never do it again. Later that week I purchased the Full striker suit and a pair of ice picks. Might cost a lot but a life is worth more then money can buy. The moral of this story was I was that person that thought that would never happen to me and it did and it scared the daylights out of me. But every time on the ice since I have my Striker Suit. I trust that suit with my life. So guys don’t ever think this will not happen to you. Noone wants to go through the ice but if it happens its better to be prepared then not ready for it. I hope everyone stays safe this season with plenty of tight lines!
Justin
January 4, 2015 at 11:11 pm
#1492040