Ice Fishing Supplies

 

 

Certain Ice Fishing Supplies can make for an enjoyable experience or a terrible one depending on how well you are prepared for the task. What you need is good Fishing Supplies to make the trip a success. One of the most important things you need is warm clothing; this can make all the difference in Ice Fishing. If you are not properly dressed, you can suffer from frostbite, hypothermia, and wind burn.

The key to dressing appropriately is to dress in layers. You want to have a good absorptive layer next to the skin to draw sweat and moisture away from your body. The best choice for this layer would be polypropylene but if you don't have this material, cotton will work. Then you need a layer for warmth, such as wool or down, and just as important, you need a layer that is wind proof. Make sure you have warm, waterproof gloves and boots and keep your head and face protected with a good hat and maybe a face mask.

 

Although it is important to be dressed properly when you are Ice Fishing, you also need some of the essential Ice Fishing Supplies, such as fishing poles, bait, and an ice auger for drilling a hole in the ice. Before you can actually begin fishing, you need to first be able to come in contact with the water. The ice auger will allow you to drill the initial hole in the ice then you will use an ice chisel to widen the hole you drilled. A skimmer will be necessary to clear the hole of slush that accumulates in your fishing hole over time throughout the day.

 

Other Fishing Supplies you will probably want are: a tip-up, which is a flag that signals when there has been a bite on your line, a hook disgorger, which is a tool to help you get a hook out of a fish's mouth, a bait bucket, to carry live bait such as minnows, and something to sit on while you are Ice Fishing. You will need fishing line with a two to four pound test if you are looking to catch smaller fish such as the panfish, but will need at least a ten pound test line if you are aiming to catch larger game fish like the Northern Pike.

 

Ice Fishing Supplies can also include a sled or toboggan for carrying your other supplies across the ice. If the day happens to be really blustery, an ice shanty may be the way to go. These shelters are easy to put up and they block out the wind. A portable heater may be used to keep the shanty warm while you are Ice Fishing.

 

 

Safety is key while using your Ice Fishing Supplies. Always use caution when working on ice and check ice conditions before heading out. Bring a compass to help you find your way back to shore if the weather conditions are bad and be sure to have your fishing license handy. Most importantly, stay away from thin ice, especially later in the season when the ice starts to thaw.