Long time reader first time poster

I have been following this forum for quite some time and I finally decided to register and post.

I am 43 years old. I grew up in northern MN and I fished avidly on hard and soft water from as far back as I can remember up until my early thirties. Due to a career change and then “life” getting in the way I haven’t been on the water in the last 10 years or so.

I just purchased a Otter XT650 Lodge, dusted off my nearly 25 year old Jiffy auger and organized other essential gear. Next week I will be getting a Vexlar FL18. I am so ready to punch a few holes and get set up!

Most importantly I am excited to get my two sons ages 8 and 6 introduced to fishing. I live in west central MN and there are numerous lakes within a stones throw of my home. I have a few trips scheduled for Red Lake and I would like to hit LOW for the first time ever before ice out.

Fish on!

Welcome to IDO! Welcome back to fishing also. You will get much good info here. Also some good laughs.

IDO is the best place to learn the newest tips and tricks.

TripleA wrote:

IDO is the best place to learn the newest tips and tricks.

Thanks.

I have been out of the loop on the newest and latest regarding gear. I purchased my first Otter portable back in 1993 or 1994. I started looking for portables about three weeks ago and I was blown away at the advances…..thermal canvas!!!!!!

My auger is 25 years old and had not been used in many years. I changed the plug and gassed it up and it fired up on the third pull! If/when it craps out I will for sure buy an Electric one.

I’m also looking forward to “tricking out” my portable with LED lights. I haven’t looked into it but I’m guessing there are resources available to reference.

Regardless of the advances in gear…….knowing the lake, species, weather patterns hasn’t changed and everyone still hooks the minnow the same way. Sort of like riding a bike………:)

Fish on!

welcome back so to speak

I realize that there are numerous topics out there regarding electronics.

I’m fairly convinced that I want to purchase a vexlar FL18 . However, why would I want to get say a Marcum lx7?

Pros and cons of a vexlar vs Marcum?

Uh-oh, here comes the Ford/Chevy debate of ice fishing!

mxskeeter wrote:

Welcome to IDO! Welcome back to fishing also. You will get much good info here. Also some good laughs.

What mxskeeter said X2! Great group of people here-glad to see you heading for the ice again! BTW-I also own an almost antique Jiffy, hadn’t touched it in three years since I hung it in the garage last. Today I got it down and added some gas, primed the pump and it started on the second pull-gotta love that!
Good luck on the ice, hope to see some reports on here from you soon!
-Rev

reverend wrote:

Uh-oh, here comes the Ford/Chevy debate of ice fishing!

Well……..I am in the process of trading in my Ford for a Chevy.

I’ve been on ido for a little over a year. And can honestly say it has made me a better walleye fisherman hands down. Thanks everyone.

Welcome aboard!

rmanderson wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>reverend wrote:</div>
Uh-oh, here comes the Ford/Chevy debate of ice fishing!

Well……..I am in the process of trading in my Ford for a Chevy.
Now why would you want to trade your ford in for a Chevy??? guess I won’t even get into the Marcum versus…..what was that other flasher you mentioned?? welcome to IDO!

mattgroff wrote:

I’ve been on ido for a little over a year. And can honestly say it has made me a better walleye fisherman hands down. Thanks everyone.

I’ve been on here off and on for awhile too…I’d have to say the same, especially when it comes to the ice fishing.

Vex/Marcum- I know watching the videos here get me to drooling over a new Marcum, but for now the budget keeps me staring at my old beater Vex. Same with the Jiffy; watching James pound holes with the Lithium Lazer gets my hands twitching. I should have been born rich, but then I’d have just blown it all on fishing and hunting gear and still be poor.

On a more serious note…..my 8 year old son in disabled. He has cerebral palsy. I will definitely have to modify some things. Because I have never taken him out ice fishing I’m not sure what modifications will be required. I might need the expertise opinions of a few of you.

Cheeseheads need not reply.