I agree that rain is rare. However, I have had experiences ice fishing with a portable in the past while it snowed and any snow that accumulated on the roof would melt and cause a leak. Since my Otter was new I hadn’t had a chance to see how it handled snow and or the rare rain. I’m guessing that if it snows enough to accumulate I will experience a dripping my roof.
I am the type that purchases quality gear and I take exceptional care of my equipment.
I purchased a pair of ice armor gloves in December. Remember, ice conditions prevented me from getting on the ice until Xmas. After a few uses of normal ice fishing activity a tear or hole formed on my right hand pointer finger glove. I did not have a receipt. I contacted Ice Armor. The good news? They shipped me a new pair. The bad news? After a few outings I can tell the new gloves aren’t going to last. Junk. Over the years I have gradually and purposely stayed away form their brand in its entirety and have had no issues whatsoever in doing so with the gear I have replaced.
What was the issue? I am on year number 2 with an ION and curious what the problem was…
The plastic housing or case around the motor cracked.
I am typically very protective of my gear as I tend to take very good care of it. For the life of me I cannot recall any situations in which the auger experienced anything that would have warranted this issue.
After I was done fishing (Sunday evening) I was unloading the gear out of my truck. I set the auger down on my padded bed liner and I hear “crack”.
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If the fish don’t win sometimes, there wouldn’t be any left. You probably aren’t doing anything wrong, but in the event there’s something more you can do; it will likely entail continually trying different things. Try downsizing to smaller baits when they’re finicky. Bring crappie minnows and shiners and try them both if fatheads aren’t working. Sometimes size and color help make the most when the bite is tough. I’ve had many slow-to-no-go days this season alone where one color or presentation was the only thing that would work and even then it was slim pickings. Just get back out there and keep trying, it’s the slow days that make us all grateful for the days with hot action.
Good point. A bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at work.
And for those of you keeping score from home.
I purchased a 8″ Ion auger late last year. I have been a huge fan of it. I know for a fact that my having one and letting total strangers “drill a few holes” with it has sold a few more of their augers. With that being stated, tonight I encountered in what I would label a “significant” issue with it. I will contact their customer service tomorrow. Their response will dictate how I use social media/word of mouth to my or their advantage. 
Camera?
Nope. Everything but a camera.
Arrived in Bemidji late afternoon yesterday. I went out to a few of my favorite spots to check the ice conditions. The larger lakes aren’t quite ready. Some of the other lakes I know have springs and those lakes are also not to be trusted yet unless you know exactly where to go or not to go.
Smaller to mid sized lakes have 6 – 8 inches.
I picked my spot and was set up well before sunrise this morning. Once the sun hit the top of the tress the bite was on. Mr walleye was very generous and once I worked out the rust for the hook set I started landing ’em. We caught enough for a tasty lunch.
Tonight the bite was on. We were set up and ready for them and like clock work the bite was on just as the sun hit the top of the trees.
Feels good to be jigging again.
The alarm is set for 5:00 am………….
Awesome job! And awesome luck! I’ve got the same problem with the old Jiffy auger! Mine likes to not idle though, there is adjustment knobs for high and low speed. You’d have to play around with it, I don’t remember which one is high and low speed but its on the carburetor below the gas tank by the choke. They are 2 knobs, get the auger running and take a regular screwdriver and play around with the 2 screws. Adjust the idle down low enough so that it keeps it running but doesn’t die on you! Good luck! And as for the blades just either get them professionally sharpened or buy a new blade! They are worth it and take care of them and they’ll last longer!
Thanks.
Before this past weekend my auger had sat in my garage a good seven years without being used. At that time the auger worked well and I actually had it tuned up and the blades sharpened a month or so prior to storing it for seven years.
Being that the auger is close to 25 years old (give or take) I’m not sure if it makes sense to bring in and have it looked at. My small engine guy will probably charge me about $100 or so to tune it up and check the blades. Might need to price out a new one…………
Thanks for all the well wishes. We are packed and ready to head to Gillette within the hour or so.
We hit the lake hard this weekend.
Friday, we planned on hitting one of my favorite spots for an evening walleye bite. We left home at 3:45 pm and the plan was to get all set up for the evening bite. Unfortunately the landing at the lake I wanted to fish had a nasty heave and my vehicle was no match. It’s now 4:00. I decided to head back towards home and try another lake. The lake I decided to try was new to me and being that it was getting close to the evening bite I really didn’t have time to punch a bunch of holes. Besides, the kids were getting antsy.
I drive on the lake and visually look for where I think the best spot would be based on shoreline etc. I drill a hole and now my auger is acting up as it took several minutes to drill a hole (dull blades?). I test the depth, 30 feet of water and I have no idea what’s around us for other depth. It’s now 4:25. I punched another hole and set up the portable.
We got everything set up and due to the days getting longer we got everything set for the evening bite. We caught 5 walleyes all between 21 and 24 inches! Who woulda thunk it? Pure dumb luck.
Went out to the same spot Saturday afternoon around noon. Auger was still a pain in the you know what but I managed to punch enough holes. Set up the portable in 18 feet of water. Set 3 tip ups from 30 feet to 10 feet. During the day the boys had a blast catching small perch and hammer handle pike. The evening bite didn’t end up as productive as the night before. Fish were on the vex but I couldn’t get them to bite.
Went out prior to the sun coming up this morning. I was out setting up a tip up and the boys were in the portable. After setting up the tip up I came in the house and the kids ask me “dad, why are our bobbers just sitting under the water?” (Remember, my kids have only been out three times prior ever). Both bobbers are about 6 inches below the surface. I grab a rod and set one hook. Heavy fish. After a quick fight I lost it. Meanwhile, the other boy starts reeling. He didn’t set the hook. The rod bent big time and I could tell by the way he was battling the fish it was heavy. By the time I started to help him he lost his fish. I look outside and the flag is up on the tip up. I quickly baited one hook inside the portable and dropped the bait down the hole and rushed outside to investigate the tip up. Heavy fish on the tip up but I lost it. Come inside to grab a minnow to bait the tip up and the oldest boy is reeling in a fish! Nice walleye at 23″. It’s 6:45 am and not a thing after that. Whew! Nothing better than a feeding frenzy!
The boys and I continued to fish but ultimately we kicked back and mixed up some hot chocolate and watched the sun come up.
Not a great photo but here’s a pic of one of the walleyes.
Back to the auger. I am mechanically handicapped so at least I’ve got that going for me. 1. When it’s idling the blade turns. Not Turing like at full throttle but still turing pretty good. 2. Very tough cutting through the ice. It cuts but I have to put all my weight on it and it slowly chews a hole. Remember, 25 year old Jiffy that has been sitting in my garage the past 8 years. The last time I had used it I did take it in and had it sharpened/tuned up.
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I made my decision regarding electronics and I purchased a FL18 Genz pack today. I really wanted the Marcum LX7 and moreso the LX9 but it just wasn’t in the budget. In the past month I purchased a Otter XT650 Lodge, numerous misc gear (rods, reels, lures, line etc) and today the FL18. Either way the FL18 will serve its purpose for now.
The boys and I plan on hitting the lake hard this weekend as it could be our last time with all of us together enjoying the outdoors for a bit. Monday it’s back to reality as my 8 year old son has a procedure scheduled at Gillette Children’s Hospital. Hopefully he will be discharged Thursday and then it’s the road to recovery.
Thanks.
I was thinking about going with the orange disc. Do they work that well in frigid weather? Any issues using them with the tropical weather we will be experiencing this weekend?
Great show guys. Lots of very useful information.
I’m originally from Bemidji and have fished numerous spots off the beaten path back in the day. I know secret spots won’t be mentioned but I am curious about where the show was filmed in the Bemidji area.
Took my boys walleye fishing yesterday. I was concerned about taking them as walleye fishing typically isn’t a good species to target to hook an 8 and 6 year old on fishing. We caught quite a few cigars and enough eyes to have a dinner tonight. It was a blast.
One of the numerous reasons why I like taking my boys? Three holes in the portable and then another three holes outside targeting different depths and approaches………one license. 
One morning (25 years ago or so) I went to the fish house to do some spearing. The sun hadn’t cracked the horizon yet and it was dead calm but cold. Very cold. Like 20 to 30 below zero cold. The only source of heat was a wood stove. I had used the house the day before so the 2×4 hole had frozen over a bit. Anyways, I started to chip away at the hole to open it up. There was maybe an inch or so of ice. I lost my balance and in the drink I went headfirst. Totally submerged myself. I jumped out of the hole about as quick as I had entered it but I was soaked. No heat as I had planned to start the fire once the hole was cleaned up. As one could imagine I was cold. I stripped down to nearly nothing and drove home……….
Did I lose anything? No. But technically I lost my voice for a couple days if you know what I mean………
Well I would recommend Kevin Williams but he moved out of town to Seattle.
Ha ha. Since he is an ex queen he would still find a way to jump off sides or miss an easy sack or heaven forbid miss a field goal against the Falcons from inside my Otter. 
Way to go! Nice fish!
Would you be refering to a lake between Alexandria and Glenwood? I have lots of activity on such a lake (not giving the name out). I too have the LX-7 and really like the unit. Good fishing to you.
Even though I haven’t been on the lake for quite a few years I will never give out a lake name publicly. 
Technically the lake is located between Alex and Glenwood but I don’t think it’s the lake you are hinting at as the lake I am referring to does not have the best early ice. 
Question. Can the lx6 or lx7 also be connected to a camera as the lx9?
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.
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 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?
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!
