That is nuts,to be able to icefish in May in Min. I have heard that there were fishing trips cancled because of the ice in northern Wi. From what I was told the ice is crap but you can not get a boat in. Jerry
I have has that experience.
16 honest just 16. When I first seen this I figured 30 to 35 but I was wrong. Just 16,I got to get more stuff.
I put in about 1 tablespoon of seafoam,and run it for about 3 to 5 min.,to get it in the carb. I take some chain bar lube and paint my blades,get them good and oily coated. Good steal rust,so do this to. Never had a problem. A lot better than spending $60 t0 $100 every year to get it fixed. Also ,I never use cheep gas,all prenium gas.
Early to bed.
Early to rise.
Do a lot more fishing.
And make up lies.
I to make my own St croix spring bobber setup.Just like the legion Rod but a lot cheeper. The only thing that is St Croix is the spring,the rest I took off an eyelet off and old rod and got a rubber gromet at the hardware store.Tied and glued to the tip. Works great.I have 2 and that is all I use any more.I have got all the different springbobbers that they make,but so fat this is the best. Jerry
That makes it fun. I it is always fun to get one of those on a short pole and thin line. You cam smoke it,bake it.There good out of that cold water. Jerry
People will disagree with me but the Mississippi River is still the most underfished in the whole USA. You will never know what you are going to catch and when. I have fished this river for 55 years.Some time it seams difficult to catch fish ,but for some reason fish always come back. Jerry
This should be an easy fix. I make my own eyelet to hold the springbobber with.And I do not use the Legend Rod. To pricey for me. A little ingenuity will save you a lot of money. Jerry
My new buddy heater. Works great.
I have had a Strikemaster Light for 4 years and it has worked great.Just let them warm up. Most people do not,and right on the side of the auger it states(warm up for 1 to 2 min.)Cant go wrong for $279,new . Jerry
I have a 500 x2 Polaris,works great. I have never had chains,and I probably never will. We pull a Frabil Preaditor full of equipment. Never been stuck. The whole thing is buy yourself a new one if you can afford it. Take good care of it and it will last for years. And never lend it out. I know to many people who have lent there atv out,and it never ran the same.Put the best gas you can find.and the oil and filter that they recomend. It will be your best fishing friend. Jerry
This has been a fast winter,I hope to make it out at least 2 more times. Jerry
Remember to put at least 1/2 gallon of prenium in your car or truck before you mix you oil and gas. There is about 2/10th of a gallon in that hose before your prenium nonethanol comes out. Unless you have a pump that is prenium only. But that has been a few years ago. Jerry
When my Dad and I went icefishing with two poles,2 steal buckets,a spud to cut the holes with ans a old kitchen spoon to scoop the ice out with. When the ice was thick we each had a hole to fish in. If I wanted a nother one Dad told me to chop it my self. And you know,we caught fish. 
Now you deserve a state record. Way to go!!! 
I for got to mention that I got a good sparkplug in my Strikemaster, NGK, Don’t get mad. I wish someone in the USA would make a sparkplug as good as NGK, I have had a lot of experiance with this through the years. Polaris comes from the factory with NGK. Go to your small engine shops and see how many sell NGK. Jerry.
Before you tape your reel on,take your tape and put it in some good hot water. Get the tape good and hot. Get everything ready so when you tape,it will still be hot. When it cools,you wont be able to get this tape off the handle. Also use a good quality black tape. Jerry
A great place to visit. I live about 40 miles from Dubuque and have been there numerious times. They are allways up dating there displays. Jerry
Mine starts fine but you have to choke it good. After the first start let the machine warm up 1 to 2 minutes.This works real good. As said on the power head of the auger(let it run warm up 1 to 2 mim.)If you want one that starts and goes right now. Get an electric. Jerry
This happened to me. So I thought,how about taking a shad rap and putting it on a wind tipup. Do not tell any one but this works.If they will bite a camera why not a lure that looks like a fish? Jerry
Go to a small engine shop and ask what auger is the best that runs, and easy to repair. Do that and then you will buy a Strikemaster.
I think it is the reel more than the line. Any reel where the line comes off straight keeps the memory down. And as far as ice up on line ,I have use a lot of lines on the market and when it is realy cold they all ice. Jerry
I love mine. Never did like a spinning reel to icefish with.
good choice
8 to 10 in. would work. Remember all ice is safe till it breaks,then is is bad ice.
