Used the new Ion Alpha last week and it was ridiculous. Light and fast. I liked my SM 40V, but this is a different level. TBD on longevity of the poly flights and the batteries, but it definitely passed with flying colors so far.
I went with the Ion Alpha Plus- 8″ poly. Scheels has them for $549 and that includes a second battery. By using my Scheel’s Visa it added a year to the warranty too. A lot to spend, but I should be able to get a decent amount when I sell my SM 40 as well. Excited to try it out!
If marking any fish higher up in the water column, target them and set your minnow on a dead stick at that depth. Ignore the fish lower or on the bottom, they are usually the finicky and lethargic ones. I also feel like the shallower you can find crappies, the more aggressive they are. If you find some in 8-12 FOW versus 20-25, they are usually more active. Full crappie minnow on a tungsten jig or a full wax worm on a tungsten jig are my go-to setups when the bite is a little tougher.
The Tundra EX’s are great. They are my deer hunting gloves for the past 4-5 years. I just bought another pair since they’re on clearance. I’m going to try the Tundra mittens for ice fishing as well.
I have not tried the Striker ones. The Frabill ones I had had a plastic liner in them. Water got trapped in the liner and my hands were colder with the gloves on then off. Just picked up a pair of the Blackfish ones to try for this year.
Once you use them, I’d like a review. Been considering them myself. Would like a pair for hole-hopping.
Largest I’ve caught is a 15 3/4″ and 2 weeks before that my wife caught a 15 1/2″ on the same lake. This is near Mankato. I know the genetics are in that lake. In my experience, the less pressured lakes might have the dinks and the big ones. The heavily pressured lakes down here might have a ton of eater-sized fish, but the big ones don’t survive to get 14-16″. When picking a lake to fish for the day, I decide if I’m going for a meal, or trying to beat my PB. Similar to good public hunting spots, I do not share specific locations with others.
Are these available at any stores? Or just on their website?
I bought my 40V before the 24V was around. After 5-6 seasons with the original batteries, I probably get 40-50 holes per battery when you’re cutting through 20-24″ regularly. So 80-100 holes is plenty for me when I’m trying to chase schools of crappies around. If I need a new auger today I would probably go with the 24V just for the weight difference, probably just buy 2-3 extra batteries. Never held or used a 24V, so not sure if the lower unit is less durable.
For those who have the 40V strikemaster, Why the 40V over the 24V. Looks like retail price is 169.00 less on the 24V in 8″ 599.00 VS 430.00 ) Weight is 10 Lbs less in 8″ ( 24 Vs 14 ) I would think the 169.00 savings would buy you a extra battery. The 40V says 100 holes per charge. The 24 says 50. So 2 batteries would + 100 homes, The same as the 40V. This is with the standard auger – Not the lite flight. I just think the lighter 24V with a extra batter would be the better choice
My Otter XT Hideout fits under the cover on my ’19 Silverado.
If I’m marking fish, I usually kneel. Easier to see the light bites or if there is a breeze it helps too. It’s also a good way to not advertise what you’re catching to the rest of the lake. I’m usually sore the next day though.
Crappies tend to follow the same patterns year after year. I like to write down when I have a good fishing day on the ice (depth, ice thickness, date, etc). Over the years when I fish that lake again, I have a pretty good idea where to start. I tend to drill a lot of holes in the afternoon and jump around. Once I find the most productive holes, I’ll set my portable over them once it hits dusk and the sun goes down. I do not set up my house until I know fish are there.
I have found the crappies in-between shallow and the basin right now. With the snow on the lakes, my guess is they’ll move deep very soon, probably next 1-2 weeks.
Even if you’re marking fish lower in the water column, the most aggressive crappies and usually the biggest ones are higher up. I set a minnow with a bobber in my 2nd hole higher up and quite often the biggest fish of the day gets caught on that line.
Last two seasons sent my SM lazer blades there and they work great.
https://www.redrockstore.com/ice-auger-blade-sharpening-service/ice-auger-blade-sharpening
I exclusively fish for crappies/bluegills. Sufix Invisiline Ice- 3 lb flouro is all I use. Strong enough for the occasional walleye, pike, or sheephead. I don’t use snaps or swivels- tie directly to the jig. Usually mid-winter, I’ll change and put all new line on my reels since it does get a memory on my spinning reels.
I have an Otter Hideout that I use all the time. Love the weight, the insulation, everything about it. Don’t think it would be big enough to have a dog with- the sides are narrow and all the “extra” space is out in front.
Similar pattern to the crappies here in Southern MN. They have been about 2 feet under the ice and are very spooky. Best bet was just dropping my jig in the hole and watching them take it. No sudden movements or transducer in the hole or they would spook.
My wife had an ’07 CRV and put 200K miles on it, still was able to get good money selling to a private party. Upgraded to a ’21 CRV last spring and that’s been great too. Handles well and excellent gas mileage. No mechanical issues with either or them.
January was great crappie fishing for me around Mankato, but really slowed down in February. I assume it’s weather and fishing pressure related. Last weekend was great again, so hopefully the rest of the season continues that way. It has been more of a numbers year, I haven’t caught many large fishing compared to prior winters.
Crappies are the only thing I target all winter and I’ve never used an inline reel. Everyone complains about the drag and that is a very important feature on my spinning reels in case I hook into a walleye, bass, or pike. I have several of the Clam Dave Genz spring bobber combos. Not expensive (around $40?), but good drags and are perfect for the line I run. All I use is Sufix InvisiLine- 3 lb. It’s fluorocarbon and I think invisibility of it makes up for some of the line twist. I don’t use swivels either- I tie my jigs directly to the line. I rarely fish water over 40 feet deep, so only spool 60-70 feet of line and then change it out 2-3 times over winter.
I have an Otter Lodge and Hideout. I also fish by myself 80% of the time, so I spend a lot of time in my Hideout. For early ice I pull by hand and can fit my auger, minnow bucket, Humminbird, bag of batteries/food, rod box, and shovel all in the sled. I hook up a Shapell jet sled and have my heater, minnows, and propane tank in there. Pulls pretty easy with the weight more spread out.
I have enough room for 2 holes, my buddy heater, flasher, and the minnows out in front. I stagger the holes left front and right back. Plenty of room. The sides are pretty tight, but when you factor in how easy it is to pull early ice and how light it is to load into the truck, it’s worth it to me. It’s also super warm and many days I don’t even run the heat. The seat comes off so it fits perfect under my tonneau cover. It doesn’t leave the bed of my truck all ice season.
I did look at the Eskimo Wide 1 and the Clam XL before I bought my Hideout. It was a tough decision, but I like that I don’t have to extend poles and I already owned an Otter, and I like how tough the poles, canvas and tub were.
Been using an Ice 55 Humminbird for last 2 years. Simple and nice big screen for sunny days outside. No issues with battery life. I use my phone if I want to look at lake maps or GPS.
I usually have my bobber line with minnow set high in the water column (8-12 feet) over the basin (25-35 fow). Then my jig line I’ll move up and down to find the actively biting fish. Once it gets dark it gives me a better idea if they want minnows or waxies too. Often the jig line is better until dark, and then the shallower line with minnows works better after dark.
I have a Hideout and a Lodge. I use the Hunting Buddy for both. A little too warm for the Hideout, but might be the perfect size for a Cottage. I like the electric ignition on it and I’ve used mine for 4-5 years now with no issues.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Andy Fischer wrote:</div>
I have a Lodge and Hideout. If there is much snow on the ice, you won’t want to pull it by hand if it’s fully loaded with gear. On ice or light snow, not a problem at all.Lots of room, warm, heavy duty. It’s a great shelter, just heavy.
I had a ’15 Double Cab Sierra and now have a ’19 Double Cab Silverado with 6’6″ box. Fits in there perfect with the tailgate closed. I usually prop the sled on the tailgate and climb up and lift it from above. Easier with 2 people, but not impossible by myself.
When you refer to pulling it, or not wanting to pull it when there’s snow, are you talking just the sled or on skis/smitty sled? I’m curious how much more manageable this will make pulling it.
And also if both are on smitty sleds, how much different they will pull since the surface area is the same, the 25lbs weight difference being the only main difference?
I don’t have skis or smitty. If you’re pulling by hand and there is snow, you’ll want to go that route for sure.
I have a Lodge and Hideout. If there is much snow on the ice, you won’t want to pull it by hand if it’s fully loaded with gear. On ice or light snow, not a problem at all.
Lots of room, warm, heavy duty. It’s a great shelter, just heavy.
I had a ’15 Double Cab Sierra and now have a ’19 Double Cab Silverado with 6’6″ box. Fits in there perfect with the tailgate closed. I usually prop the sled on the tailgate and climb up and lift it from above. Easier with 2 people, but not impossible by myself.
I use the Trophy Angler lights in both my Lodge and my Hideout. I just zip tie them to the overhead pole and connect them to an extra Vexilar battery I carry with as a backup anyway. Had them for 4-5 years and they work great.
https://www.scheels.com/p/trophy-angler-troo-shine-led-portable-12-volt-light/16780-TS-36.html
I’ve had a Hideout for 3 years now- love it. I was also debating between the Wide 1 and the Hideout. I have a bigger Otter, so I went that route for the 1-man as well. I like how tall and tough the sleds are. With a Hideout, I fish 2 holes, with a buddy heater and flasher in front and there’s plenty of room. I don’t think you’ll regret either shack.
I’ve had a 40V Strikemaster for 3 seasons now and never had an issue with my batteries. I keep them in the truck until I hit the lake, then keep them with me in the shelter once I’m done drilling if it’s really cold. If it’s 20-30 degrees, I leave it on the auger outside the shack and never had issues.
Hey guys,
I picked up a SM 24v and have heard the bitter cold can impact the batteries. I was thinking of a soft bag cooler with hand warmers. What I’m wondering is if that is really necessary; and if others have tried this and if it helps.Thanks
Andy are you fishing basin lakes? What I’ve noticed is shack town sets up in the middle of the basin but the best bite is on the break to the basin-or maybe you are fishing weed edges (?)
Yes the shanty town sits over the basin and in previous winters, the best night bite was there. I’d had my best luck of the edges of that basin in 15-20 FOW, where the deep hole might be 30 FOW. The last week it’s been a much better afternoon bite and become tight-lipped after dark. Odd year in general.
