I wanted to drum up some chatter in our ice forum! I am going crazy waiting for ice!!
What is a new purchase that you have made this year for ice that you can’t wait to get on the ice and use?
For me it is going to be my new custom 26″ thorne bros rod- It is named the quiverstick-
I am getting this one really tricked out, and I can’t wait to get it!! I will post pictures as soon as it gets here!!
Premiere ice combos- yes great rod at a great price point- These are the rods that I started ice fishing with.
My recommendation for a hand auger, is going to be a 6″ lazer from strikemaster- I personally won’t use a hand auger, I will take my strike lite out, even on three inches, I just don’t like drilling holes by hand. However, if you don’t want to spend a lot of money right now, buy yourself the hand auger, and then fish with a buddy with a power auger, or look for a good used strikemaster on craigslist etc. I have a feeling there are going to be a few out there for sale, after a few guys get to run the solos.
I would look into the Otter Team Wild shacks, again also check for used otters.
Snosuits have been on sale for 249 I believe for the whole suit, and that is a STEAL-
I would also recommend a Lakemaster chip for MN, handheld GPS to run that in, and a marcum flasher- Get some custom jigs and spins tackle…
for necessities that should get you started.
When you get hooked like I did many years ago, we will revisit this thread and you will wonder why you have so much more than the “necessities”..
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Awesome! Thanks for the info. I’ve been looking around at stuff and am getting pretty excited for the lakes to freeze (for the first time ever)!!!
Hey Ryan check this out sounds like a great deal
http://www.idofishing.com/classifieds/showclassified.php/Number/826521/a-clam-the-clam-150
Hey Ryan,
Luke hit the nail on the head, and no doubt ice fishing has been gaining serious momentum in the fishing industry. I believe that this mostly revolves around the equipment that has made ICE FISHING….Comfortable, and very effective. You certainly don’t need to go out and buy new on everything. A flasher is a must if you want to increase your fishing knowledge and will pay for itself in fish fillets year in and year out. Augers……Heck Strikemaster has made the J O B of drilling holes FUN!! Hand augers will wear you down come mid-winter. Rods, reels, tackle…. Got to have some no doubt, but don’t need to go crazy……Even though we all do!! Get a pocket full of lightning spoons and some Diamond jigs from Custom Jigs and Spins. You can catch most everything on them!!
Portable houses definately look into the Otter line. Comparable prices………Premiere product line.
Look forward to getting on the ice with you this winter!!
I agree Chris, plus……
My belief with the take off in ice fishing, it doesn’t hit the budget as hard as some of the other outdoor activities. Once a guy has made an investment on a good flasher and power auger, both of which make life easier but not a necessity (proven by are fathers and grandfathers) the rest of the gear can be purchased at a reasonable price and not a ton of stuff is needed. A couple of years into the sport though and the goodies begin to pile up 
A person can start off with some good threads to keep warm, couple diddle sticks for jiggin’, and a hand auger, that is all there is needed to be ice fishing. A lot of your live bug baits can be collected this time while in the woods too.
After finding out if the sport is for you the other goodies can be collected and accumulated through the years without busting the bank.
Good luck on the ice to all this 2009-2010 season 
I am taking a serious look at the Baffin boots this year. One thing I would suggest doing to a person new to the sport is to buy a clam scout and a small black cat heater to go in it. Light, inexpensive, durable, and you’ll be warm. many a day of icefishing has been ruined due to the people not being comfortable especially during the learning curve parts.
Well I will be picking up a new Solo this winter! Ihave been doing things by hand for too long now, and I like to hole hop. 
I don’t think I have ever done less than 15 holes a day. So those days of actually giving myself a pep talk to drive a few holes in to 18-24″ of ice will be gone.
Ryan . I have a 8″ hand auger that just needs new blades. you can’t beat the price! I PROMISE!
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Well I will be picking up a new Solo this winter!
Congrats 
Thank you I can hardly wait. 
and my back and arms thank strike master!
Now I just need to talk the wife into an ATV so I don’t have to walk and carry everything everywhere!
I’m really looking forward to using my Otter 1 man pro this year. I have always had the two man with a bench seat…It has been fantastic and I still have it for those days of buddy fishing.
And I am hoping that Custom Jigs and Spins comes out with a specific color in the gill pill as well !!!! 
My new purchases for this years ice fishing are:
1. Polaris Ranger HD with Glacier II plow set up.
2. New wheelhouse – 6.5 X 14 V-nose.
Still would like to get a new hand held gps with the Lakemaster chip, and a one man portable for early ice because the FT Voyager is to big to pull by hand. At least I can pull the voyager with the Ranger once the ice gets thick enough. That reminds me, I have to get the travel cover and the tow bar for the Voyager yet.
And what color would that be?
I think I know the guy that owns the company, I might be able to talk to him…
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And what color would that be?
I think I know the guy that owns the company, I might be able to talk to him…
purple,lrg.gold glitter and a glow dot !!!
Don’t want much do ya? 
And who’s yer buddy?
Luke I ended up going with the Ticca 500 reel and a thorn bros rod myself. Now the rod just needs to get done 
Who did you talk to when you ordered it?
Which one did you pick?
can’t go wrong with Tica
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Don’t want much do ya?
And who’s yer buddy?
Herb !!! 
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Who did you talk to when you ordered it?
Which one did you pick?
Don’t remember the guys name. I’m bad at remembering them. But I got the Power Noodle. They thought it would work good for me for panfish and such but if the occassional bigger fish hits it should be ok if the line doesn’t break. Maybe later on I’ll get another rod reel but for now this should do for a all around jigging ang minnow rod.
The Power Noodle is the real deal. My favorite ice rod. I’ve caught the occasional bucket mouth on the rod and it has enough backbone to land the fish. I just received my new QuiverStick from Thornes and can’t wait to give that a shot with the gills.
My quiver stick just got here too- I had it custom custom custom made though!
I can’t wait to give it a go on ice!!
Can you elaborate on the custom custom custom model? The masses want to know!
Well done! 
The Custom Jigs products will be a fantastic pairing with the Quiver Stick.
For new gear this winter so far I have a strikelite, LX-5, a TB finesse rod and a few more ticas.
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