Ice Fishing Site » Modern Ice Fishing

Modern Ice Fishing Video

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:55:12 +0000

Here is a great video that introduces a lot of the tenets of modern ice fishing. Watch how they use GPS with lake contour software to pinpoint the exact structure they are going to target that day. From there they take their gas powered ice auger to quickly punch a series of holes to ensure that they can completely cover the structure. Finally, they use an underwater camera to watch how the fish are reacting to their presentation and catch the fish. Use this as a beginning guide for how to utilize the most updated equipment to catch more fish on the ice.

St. Paul Ice Show This Weekend – Including Link For Discounted Tickets and Coupons

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:36:45 +0000

The St. Paul Ice Show is this weekend and if you are in Minnesota and an ice fishing fanatic, this is the place to be. Billed as the largest ice fishing show in North America, this show literally has everything you will ever need or want for ice fishing. There are vendors from all the major manufacturers as well as up and coming companies. There are normally some very good deals to be had at this show if one is wont to make some pruchases. I'm talking ice fishing flashers, underwater cameras, ice augers, ice fishing houses, ice fishing rods, portable propane heaters, lures, the whole shooting match.

Here is an online form for discounted tickets: here
There is also a place for get a discount coupon for the show: here

If you went, please leave a comment on the things you saw that caught your eye or any great bargains you were able to find.

The Best Weapon For Ice Fishing – Use A Flasher To Double Your Catch

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:23:59 +0000

I just came across a great article on ice fishing flashers titled The Best Weapon For Ice Fishing. Listen, I know I am beating this to death, but if there is one piece of equipment that can truly revolutionize your ice fishing game it is a flasher. Fishing without one really puts you at a severe disadvantage. It is not a trivial amount of money to spend, but it truly will increase the amount of fish that you catch.

If there are others out there with stories about how their ice fishing success changed when they started using a flasher please comment. Personally I went from some days not catching any fish, to most days catching many.

Specially Made Ice Fishing Line Improves Catch Rate

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:12:01 +0000

After experimenting with several line types the past couple years, the lines that are specifically made for ice fishing really shine above standard monofiliment lines. These lines are designed specifically to be used in the cold and do perform much better than their brethren designed for warm water.

The key difference I have noticed is the ice up factor. If you fish outside at all, which if you are employing modern ice fishing techniques you have to at some point, water freezing to your line is a huge deal. The ice lines do a much better job of keeping the ice off of your line and your lure in the water. More time in the water equals more potential for catching fish.

My personal favorite is Trilene Micro Ice, but I've heard good things about the Gamma series of lines also. If you are going to be inside Berkley Fireline Ice or Stren MicroFuse Ice is a good bet, but tend to ice up a bunch in cold weather.

What are your experiences with lines made specially for ice fishing?

If I Find A Used Vexilar or Marcum Flasher For Sale Will I Catch More Fish?

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:30:12 +0000

This is the exact question I asked when I got back into ice fishing. It sure seems like a good amount of coin to plop down for that Marcum flasher only to see what depth of water I am fishing in. But alas, there was my problem in thinking. Seeing the depth of the water is an after thought compared to the true value of the flasher: seeing your bait on the screen along with the fish and how they react to your bait.

Yes, you can literally see your bait jig up and down with your hand on the screen. Better yet, you can tell if any fish are around the hole you are fishing. A popular method it to simply drop your Vexilar flasher down the hole and look for marks of fish on the screen. If you don't find any, move to the next hole. In other words, don't waste your time on a hole with no fish!

Sounds too good to be true, but I assure you it isn't. I have followed the exact same pattern and fished more productively and have seen better catch rates because of it. Plus you can watch the fish as they rise to take your bait and watch their reactions as you jig. Perhaps they want a slower jig or a dead stick. The flasher will tell you that instantaneously.

A flasher really is a must to take advantage of the modern ice angler's way of life. I guarantee it will put more fish on the ice for you.

Do you have any stories to relate in regards to fishing with and without a flasher?

What Do I Need To Get Started Ice Fishing?

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:35:28 +0000

This is a common question of those that are contemplating heading out to the ice this winter. First, I would greatly suggest that you find a friend/acquaintance who will show you the ropes. Not only will it limit the amount you spend to get into the sport, it also gives you a great chance at continued success. With that in mind, here are my recommendations on what you need to get started ice fishing:

If going with someone who already ice fishes:
License
Offer to pay for bait or ask them what they are using and go buy at the bait shop
Warm Clothing (layers is the key, make sure you have warm boots also)

Others to consider if going with someone who already ice fishes:
At least one rod designed for ice fishing, prefer with an open face reel
Small assortment of jigs and hooks from local tackle store
Hand Auger
Ice Scoop
Minnow Bucket with minnow net and minnows for whatever species you are targeting
Ice spikes (just in case the worst happens and you fall in)
Tip up if you plan on doing this type of fishing
Chair or bucket to sit on
Ice bobber if you prefer that type of fishing (the bobbers made specifically for ice fishing really shine compared to warm weather bobbers, so make sure you buy those specifically)

What you need if you are fishing on your own:
License
Some sort of auger (you need a hole in the ice)
Ice scoop to get ice out of augered hole
Fishing Rod(s) prefer with open faced reel
Tip up(s)
Ice fishing tackle (jigs and hooks for setting up tip ups and rods)
Bait / Minnow Bucket
Chair or bucket to sit on
Ice spikes
Warm clothing, especially boots. Dress in layers if possible
Ice bobber if you prefer that type of fishing

That should be enough to get you on the ice and see if this sport suits you at all. In a further post I will discuss bringing your ice fishing game to the next level and will discuss the reasons for spending money in electronics and so forth.

How To Use An Underwater Ice Fishing Camera Horizontally

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:02:43 +0000

The most common appoach to using an underwater ice fishing camera is to cut a second hole a couple feet away from the hole you are planning to fish, lower your camera down to the depth you are fishing and point it in the direction of your bait. Once you have done this you will have a view of your bait as it moves up and down and can easily see how the fish are relating to your bait. At times they will want a lot of motion, at times they want it dead still and often they want something in between. Your camera is a great way to see the attitude of the fish that day and make sure that there are actually fish below the hole you are fishing.

As can be seen in this video, not every fish will bite your bait. Some will appear interested and then just pass on by. But once you have a fish that is interested, it is easy to go through the array of motions triggering a strike. And once you catch one you can likely catch others as they loiter around your bait. It also displays the fact that you can see the different types of fish that happen upon your bait. In this clip we see both sunfish and largemouth bass.

How to use a Marcum or Vexilar Flasher to catch more ice fishing

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:15:12 +0000

As discussed in an earlier post on "How to use an ice fishing flasher to catch more fish", a flasher is a great tool for the modern ice angler. The video below is a great way to visualize how you use a Marcum VX-1 flasher to catch a suspended fish. The same concept apply to all other flashers from Vexilar, Humminbird, and Lowrance.

A few main points to watch while you are viewing the video:
1) The large mass of colors shown on the left hand side of the Marcum is the bottom. You will notice this when you use a flasher, the bottom is often an array of colors that take up ~10% of the screen.

2) The green flash on to the screen you see them pointing to is the bait. The beauty of flasher is they allow you to see your bait in the water column and where it is in relation to the fish and bottom. Green is the weakest signal and is what your bait looks like on the screen.
3) The red solid line suspended between the bottom and bait is the fish. Watch how it rises up to the bait and eventually takes it. A great way to see the fish coming towards your bait and be ready to set the hook!

MarCum VX-1 Three-Color Sonar Ice System - Lowest Price
US $284.99

How to use an ice fishing flasher to catch more fish

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:10:56 +0000

A good flasher is one of the key tools used to allow the modern ice angler to move quickly when there are no fish, but know immediately to stay if there are fish. Basically there are 3 keys ways that a flasher can improve your catch rate.

Shoot flasher through the ice prior to dilling holes

Use your ice fishing flasher to find depths before drilling holes. Use can use a bucket with water or just some water directly on the ice to allow your flasher to shoot through the ice and see the depth. This will allow you to move quickly to find the depth combination you are looking for prior to pulling out your ice auger.

Use flasher readout to see if fish are below the hole

Once you have drilled your holes, before you even drop a line you can run from hole to hole to see if fish show up above the bottom on your flasher. Often you can eliminate several holes from even being fished if they are not holding any fish. This is a way to ensure that you are not fishing a "dead" hole.

Use your flasher to position your bait in the correct depth and presentation to trigger bites

The use that most people are well aware of is the ability of your flasher to show where the fish are and lowering your bait to be just above them. You will be able to see the fish rise to the bait as it drops or remains still. This will also allow you to judge the demeanor of the fish and what works to trigger strikes.

The ice fishing flasher is a key tool of the modern ice angler. Use the tips above to fish higher percentage spots a greater portion of your time on the ice and it will translate into more fish on the ice!

Modern Ice Fishing – Not your father’s ice fishing!

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:55:56 +0000

When I say "modern ice fishing" what do I mean? Two things spring to mind:

1. Mobility
Modern ice angling means that you are able to move on a moments notice and will until you find an active pod of fish. I usually target panfish (sunfish and crappies) through the ice, and this is especially productive given that. Gone are the days of old when we would saunter out to our spot drill a hole and hope for the best. Today you will use your ice fishing flasher after drilling the hole to see if fish are down there. Often you can tell just by putting it in the water. If not, you will notice marks moving towards your bait while fishing. If you don't see any marks for 5-15 minutes, it is time to move. Of course you need all your gear to be easily movable, so that is where an ice fishing sled and portable ice shelter come in handy. Just pick up all your stuff and move on young man!

2. Comfort
This is the key once you find your active pod of fish. When the crappies are biting you want to be fishing hard as it may be a strong bite for only 30 minutes. So not only does your ice shack need to be portable, it must give you a comfortable chair to enjoy your time on the ice. A portable propane heater is great for keeping old man winter's nip away from your nose.

So come and join the ice fishing revolution using modern ice fishing techniques and strategies. I guarantee you will put more fish on the ice this winter!