Ice Fshing??

[Flyguide7]

I live on a private lake which now has about 4-6 inches of clear ice. Does anyone around here know of anyone selling ice fishing gear? It is time to put some monster gills on the ice.

[Deadstream]

Use a rod tip, build up the butt section with cork or rubber hose( fuel line, etc) and a small spinning reel.  Smallest jig heads you have. Mealworms etc. Life jacket!

[Trout Addict]

49 minutes ago, Flyguide7 said:

Does anyone around here know of anyone selling ice fishing gear? 

I've bought most of my gear from Rogers sporting goods (Liberty, Mo), Fish USA (online) and Craigslist. The further north you go, the better the selection on Craigslist. Not much better eating than gills through the ice. imo.

[Johnsfolly]

The BassPro here in Columbia often sells ice fishing gear, rods, reels, jigs, etc. Good luck if you get out and stay safe.

[Flyguide7]

Yes I called Basspro today. They are sold out of ice gear. Lowe’s sells a 69” pry bar with a chisel end. That will do the trick. I will rig up an ice rod, I have ice jigs so I will need some wax worms  and then I should be good to go. I am also going to rig up some sort of stringer to clean my ice hole. I can properly fish with a dirty ice hole.

[Trout Addict]

Ax works for chopping holes. I usually start in the deepest hole and carry my gear in 2 - 5 gallon buckets. Use one to sit on and to carry the fish home. After breaking my ice skimmer, I use the kitchen utensils below to remove ice from the hole 

[BilletHead]

25 minutes ago, Flyguide7 said:

Yes I called Basspro today. They are sold out of ice gear. Lowe’s sells a 69” pry bar with a chisel end. That will do the trick. I will rig up an ice rod, I have ice jigs so I will need some wax worms  and then I should be good to go. I am also going to rig up some sort of stringer to clean my ice hole. I can properly fish with a dirty ice hole.

              Be sure to cut an extra hole for catching foxes while you are out there fishing. Take a can of peas and open it up and place peas around the extra hole. Watch for foxes. When one sneaks up to take a pea just kick him in the ice hole. Use ice skimmer to scoop him into a gunny sack,

BilletHead

[Johnsfolly]

1 minute ago, BilletHead said:

              Be sure to cut an extra hole for catching foxes while you are out there fishing. Take a can of peas and open it up and place peas around the extra hole. Watch for foxes. When one sneaks up to take a pea just kick him in the ice hole. Use ice skimmer to scoop him into a gunny sack,

BilletHead

What if Ness comes to take a pea☺? You kick him in the ice hole as well?!? 

[Trout Addict]

Some other things I've added to the ice fishing kit. Whistle, ice picks and strap on ice cleats. I've never took a life vest before but I've read where if you break thru that many times you catch yourself before going under, but you cannot get ahold of anything to pull yourself out before hyperthermia hits you. Therefore you use the ice picks for pulling yourself out. Fyi - good clothes, a heat source and shelter can make it more enjoyable sometimes.

[Johnsfolly]

We had some hairy experiences sampling lakes in PA during winter. We sampled during the day and again at night. To use our sampling gear we had to cut a 2 by 3' hole in the deepest part of the lake. One windy and moonless night my partner lost his footing and went onto the ice. It was so slick that the wind easily blew him across the lake towards the sampling hole. He stopped just as his feet went into the hole. The debris from opening the hole provided just enough friction to get him to stop.

Being safe has be a major concern whenever you are on a frozen lake.