I definitely wouldnt go out on a windy day if the lake is not 100% locked up. Lake Superior comes to mind too.

If a guy has an accident on the ice, is it always because of stupidity?

Im sort of setup and dont need to spend much anymore, just change up a few little things. I donated/sold all the cheap stuff I grew up with. I bought and sold lots of gear trying to determine what works best for me. Had some busts, like the Flex Heater and a Jiffy Auger that seized up. I use Stratic 500/1000s with Fenwick elite rods, Vexilar, Otter Lodge for camping, larger size cot, Ion Auger, ultra thin tackle trays, Phoenix light, Two otter sleds for camping, buddy heater, and a yeti power station. Only new thing for this year so far has been bamboo color foam flooring.

I think you guys figured it out. Ill try it this weekend.

Obsession wrote:

If you describe your hook set style as a “lift,” you likely are not setting hard enough.

If you think about the distance the tip of a 7’ open water moves compared to the distance the tip moves on a 32” ice rod during a hook set, you should realize the need for an exaggerated set motion when ice fishing!

Never considered the amount of energy needed to transfer like that. I bet thats a big part of it. I came from the fly fishing world and light hooks sets became habit.

bullcans wrote:

Just a thought but are you keeping your line taught when bringing up the fish? If you ever catch yourself dropping the tip down and giving the line any slack when hooked up, that could be a possibility as well for losing fish.

I could have mentioned my experience but yea, I keep it tight. I run Stratic 1000 vanfords and absolutely love the sound of a tuned drag.

I had a beginner out last weekend and saw some nice fish lost due to that reason.

Ill try more of those things. I fish in a heated shack usually in 20 to 25 feet of water. Most my rods are lined with 8/10 lb braid with 8lb flouro leader. Im losing my fish halfway usually after lots of shakes. Hook keeps pulling out. Maybe mono should be my next step for the line stretch.

Benefits:
*Verify the species cruising through instead of wasting time on undesired species.
*Visually learn the mood and behaviors of fish reacting to presentations.
*Verify the structure nearby.
*See fish outside a flasher cone.

Cons:
*Useless in muddy water
*Camera rotates off your baits and camera panners break easily.
*One more thing to charge in your way, cord tangles on pike, and tips over alot.

Trying one in an ice castle this year with a monitor.

I wonder if Starlink has enough bandwidth to eliminate lagging on games. I just hotspot the phone for internet and it is decent for online games, but there is not always signal to do it at certain lakes.

Augers have gotten better. Lighter, faster, portable etc.

Navionics is awesome but it may be off in lakes that fluctuate water levels like reservoirs. My navionics is offset like 20 foot for Lake Sakakawea.

Not sure who makes it but there is a tiny little 2 inch auger with a measure on it specifically for quickly scouting ice. I think they are used by resorts to make ice roads.

If its the Milwaukee drill I had, I think you are talking about the additional handle that clamps onto the drill. It can be clamped on to face either direction.

The youtubers have all sorts of Red Lake Early Ice videos already, like FishNmore. Its all foot traffic and camping on shore.

I hate dogs.

Going through isnt a death sentence if prepared. Whenever I take new guys out, I ask they watch the Uncut Angling breakthrough video. Below zero with high winds makes more nervous. I can crawl out a hole but now I need shelter or a vehicle nearby. I remember talking to an ice rescue guy who told me most all the deaths that hes responded too, heavy drinking was usually involved.

maddog wrote:

Is the strike master gas auger with the Honda 4 stroke a far better auger than the rest of the gas augers? Thanks for any advice

Yes. I have one and I dont think they are sold anymore. Starts easy, lightest gas auger ive held, no issues.

Every human action has risk but early ice can be mitigated to acceptable levles of risk. Risk adverse people can often times be unfairly critical of others especially without even knowing how certain risks can be mitigated. Occasionally see youtube videos of people calling the cops in urban areas because they dont even realize there are ways to do it more safely.

I bought a high end Black Betty inline to try it. I dont see myself ever using it over my favorite stratic vanguards. I dont have many rods and reels and often sell what doesnt get used much. Ill revisit the inline but if it sits in the case most the year, ill sell it.
I like to hear that drag or loosen the drag to use as an alarm.

Im enjoying the videos from all the teams. Perics eccentricity doesnt even bother me that much but if hes dishonest like people say, thats no good. He still seems to get invited though.
I can see Jay getting the most likes. One area he excells is professional camera and video editing. Its his profession even before youtube. The other teams videos look more average.

CaptainMusky wrote:

When people are driving atvs out I walk. When people drive out I use an atv or snowmobile. Definitely not a first icer.

Thats not a bad rule to go by. My rule is I take the recommended ice thickness chart and add 3 inches for each thing. Also I dont drive until other people are doing it in same areas in accordance with first rule.

All first icers just casually go on the lake without any precautions whatsoever. None of them drill test holes, use spud bars, carry rescue gear, or read ice conditions. And nobody has experience except the guy behind a keyboard judging other guys

Also sarcasm.

I guess the above poster answered my concern too. But without any additional information, it seems backward to kill tournament fish.

Thats been the rule in Montana and North Dakota. I should just assume that in Minnesota, if you have to ask, its probabaly illegal.

Cut bait is my absolute favorite bait for catfish. Carp, suckers, goldeye in that order. You can also any non edible portion of game fish for bait too. Like putting perch eyes on buckshot spoons.

You would think the answer would be in the manual but only the FL28 mentions it.

I know Frostbite isnt well liked here but I thought their rods load up exactly like that, sensitive tips without sacrificing backbone.

Yes, it should just be a matter of finding the right guy to do it. My local tackle shop has a phenomenal owner that hooked me up with the right guy. I started taping up and storing all my dull blades. Next year Ill take a few in to get fixed.

Gerty wrote:

So my new 24V 8″ lite flite had the 12 digit code that required them to replace the blades. Filled out the form yesterday and it states my new blades will be at my house tomorrow. What great service!

My question is, can the old blades by sharpened by someone and made to have the right angle? Will that person (if they are used to sharpening blades) know that the angle is not correct when they get them and fix it? Just curious as to what everyone is doing with the incorrect blades?

There is a sharpener in my area that does them. The angle has to be just right. Most home sharpening will ruin the blade.

I just installed new 10″ blades and they are cutting horrible. Thought maybe I have a defective blade. New ones on order. Apparently the problem is limited to 8″ though.

Are all you guys using a 3/4″ chuck brush M18 drill?

Its been one of my best years after finding a productive area on Sakakawea. Last three trips have all produced chunky walleye limits with bonus species including catfish and burbot. Staying overnight after this cold front.

This end of the state is semi desert, hardly any snow and wicked cold fronts for good clear ice. Problem is the wind. Have had 50 mph winds once or twice every other week.

Im out of guesses. The sunflower is still the most reliable apparently but I sure hate to lose my cooker and heater combo.