Ice fishing sounds so depressing. We haven’t even hit fall which is, in my opinion, the absolute best time of the year to fish.
I’ve said it before. I don’t understand ice fishing. To me it always seemed like something desperate fishermen did because it was all that was available to them. It still surprises me greatly that it is people’s preferred method of fishing haha.
Absolutely! It usually doesn’t set in real bad until mid August but I got a few chances to really use my flasher in-depth for the first time last season (Marcum VX-1i) and I’m super anxious to get back out there this season and do it again. Best piece of ice fishing gear I’ve bought.
I’m also looking forward to placing another Precision Noodle order with TUCR. I picked up a discontinued Sedona 1000 for $40 to put on my Bullwhip so I can put the Sienna 500 that’s on it now on my PN. Best part about having a birthday in October is TUCR lol.
In about a month I’ll get out my Shappell WideHouse 5500 (going on its 6th season) and set it up in my living room to take the edge off. That’s also when I’ll start to tidy up my tackle from last season. Reorganize all my Fiskas tungsten jigs (I have about 40 of them ranging from 2.5mm to 5mm), I’m looking forward to trying out their larger sizes (6, 7, and 9mm) and long shank tungsten jigs this season. I Inspect, clean, and reservice reels with HotSauce. Wipe down the rods and clean guides. Replace the electrical tape holding on the reels. I won’t replace line until at least December but when I do I use 3# Suffix Ice Magic.
I fish for panfish, mostly gills and crappie, so I’m set up for those species. I tip-up fish for northerns and use plain jane HT Polar’s with 30-50# mason line (whichever is available) and a 6″-12″ steel leader with a size 2 treble. No quick strike rigs for me. I like to use 6″+ shiners. I caught my PB northern a few years ago with that setup in a very small lake known for producing mostly 11-16″ pike (roughly 30 acres). A 40 inch pike is pretty exhilarating when you’re expecting a lazy spare-tire bass lol. That small lake is the opening of a major river running through central Michigan so the big fish in that little lake have been there their entire life. They really make that lake their home and coupled with a lot of fishing pressure, it’s tough to catch the big ones of any species. They are most deffinitely in their though and it feels awesome being able to encounter a true giant of any species in such a small body of water. It feels even better when they release healthy and swim off. I’m an avid practitioner of catch and release….unless you’re a fat bluegill in the winter 
I’m also looking forward to trying out some more flies to tie above my tungsten jigs.
There, I tried to relieve some tension for ya! Or did I just make it worse?? Anyways, I can’t wait for ice season!
Every year when I get back from my Canada trip (late June this year), I’m ready for fall because the local fishing picks back up then and its closer to ice. Already have this coming winter’s ice trip planned (Rainy Lake)
At least fall fishing gets me used to the cold again, I use the boat until the launches are froze in, then its usually a 1 week hold over till I feel OK walking out on the ice
You know, typically I really enjoy the season I’m in and just want to keep at it.
However this summer I’ve felt more and more like I can’t wait to get my eyes glued to my flasher!
Just spent the last hour looking at Firebrands. 
i spent 4 hours yesterday looking at wheelhouse designs….
I’ve been looking forward to ice fishing since ice out. Summer gets too busy. Everyone wants help with something. Long hours at work not to mention the heat. Heck, I even feel better in the winter. Say what you want but I know I’m not alone. Called a friend of mine yesterday and asked what he’d been up to. He replied waiting for ice. No cabin fever here.
Just got the build sheet on my new Yetti, and bought a bunch of ice fishing lures at 70% off. Yeah, I’m pretty pumped!
I’m in.It could freeze tonite and I would be thrilled almost to death.I think about ice daily.I am trying to justify a new tucr,i think I’ve convinced myself I neeed it.
My commuter car doesn’t have AC anymore…maybe that’s the true reason I want ice season?…Bring on the cold!!
Hey, I was thinking about ice fishing, though not necessarily looking forward to end of summer.
I was thinking about it because I have 3 ice fishing rod / reel combos that needed attention at the end of last season and they still are waiting for me.
I have a question: I have heard, and it makes some sense, that instead of using tiny little spinning reels which give us lots of curly little memory loops, we should try using, say, a medium sized reel. This adds weight, obviously, but I thought I would put it out there and see if get any comments.
It would all depend on what your fishing for and how deep the fish are. Honestly, you don’t really need anything bigger than a decent 1000 size reel for 90% of what we fish for. With how things are built these days, reels aren’t that heavy to begin with. I fish for panfish and prefer size 500-1000 reels (1000 when 500 isn’t available). I really haven’t had issues with line twist or curls. I like to take out and stretch about 20 feet of line before I start fishing. That helps a lot with twists and curls. The only time I’d really go above a 1000 is if I’m rod fishing for pike or something of the same caliber.
With ice fishing, reel size is mostly just to hold more/less line or achieve a heavier/lighter drag. You wouldn’t fish a size 500 for lake trout just like you wouldn’t use a size 5000 for bluegill. If you’re experiencing just too much twist and coils replace your line with a fresh spool, find a better performing brand, or it may have been put on the reel incorrectly.
Reel size relative to rig balance also has to do with what you’re fishing for. What I do is figure out what I’m fishing for first. Then match my bait size to the fish species. Match the line poundage to the weight of the bait. Match the line poundage to the reel size. Match the reel size to the rod specs. But it starts with knowing what your trying to catch. Following that guide line the whole rig should naturally balance itself out on its own. The exception would be if you’re using an ultra short/long rod where reel weight would under/overpower the weight to rod length ratio.
You could also try using a fly reel. Inline. No twists or coils.
No
Yes wanting to fish these monster eyes in western ND just got a new job so I can have more play time out here lol
the humidity is so high here now if we had a quick freeze the air would turn to solid ice two miles thick !!
it is so humid in fact I walked through a river and couldnt tell the difference between it and the air.
not only that,it is so hot here that I saw a squirrel fanning its nuts !
all that said,at least we dont have to shovel it,and no,I am not ready for ice season !!! keep it up there please !
kudos to those who enjoy the cold though.
Best fishing seasons:
Fall
Winter
Spring
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Summer
I ain’t going back in my boat until I need my hoodie.
Im getting the itch
as napoleon dynamite would say: HECK YES
Every time I feel like I have something wrong with me I just visit the site and I don’t feel alone LOL but is it wrong that I worked on this playlist during the summer to keep cool? 
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