Posted on 23. January 2010 13:07 by Admin
If you are like me and live in the northern United States, then you probably have spent some time during the winter period on a bucket with a hole in the ice or with a tip-up rig. If you’re a smart ice-fisherman, then you have some sort of shelter while out on the ice. If you’re a really smart ice-fisherman, then you’ll use FishBuster™ to tell you exactly when you should set up that temporary shelter and cut your hole. If you’re a lucky one, then you can use FishBuster™ to tell you when to head to your ice shanty.
During these cold, winter months, it is important to have the correct equipment for the job. Every fisherman agrees that the proper apparel is necessary to wear out in the frigid, wintry mix. With improper or faulty attire, a person out on the ice suffers discomfort, shrinkage, and possibly frostbite. Proper boots, gloves, and layers of clothing are needed for every ice-fisherman.
The rest of an ice-fisherman’s equipment is dependent on the type of fish being sought and based on the amount of money one spends. Jigging and tip-ups are the two principal techniques of ice fishing. Panfish anglers most often use jig poles while anglers attempting to catch larger fish (for instance northern pike, walleye and largemouth bass) select tip-ups. You need to know which technique you’ll be following before picking out your ice cutting equipment.
Before you set up your rig, you’ll need to cut a hole in the ice. For this task, ice spuds and various types of augers give you an abundance of options. The simple ice spud, a steel bar with a chisel-like blade on one end, has performed suitably for several generations. The ice spud can leave a jagged edge on a tapered hole, which is difficult to use a tip-up rig on. The ice spud is by far the cheapest solution, but the hand-powered spiral auger and spoon auger are both reasonable in price. However, the power ice auger with a lightweight engine that cuts through the thickest ice in seconds is by far the most expensive option, but it is also the fastest way to get started fishing.
Even before you cut your hole, you need a way to get the equipment to the site. Shelters that double as sleds would be on any fisherman’s wish list, but usually their price is too hefty. For that reason, a simple child’s sled can be easily turned into a way to move equipment about, or you can stick with the basics and use a 5-gallon bucket to move a minimal amount of equipment. The bucket does double as a seat and a way to return home all those fish once you’ve reached your limit.
When ice fishing, it is important to stay warm and use the equipment right for your fishing needs. Cost can be an important factor in choosing the type of shelter you have, whether that is a full on ice shanty or a temporary shelter like a windbreak. Cost can decide how you cut the hole in the ice. Wouldn’t it be in your wallet’s best interest to use a product that wasn’t just cost-effective, but effective as well? The free FishBuster™ application is one of the most important pieces of equipment needed for successful ice fishing trips. It tells you when to set up your shelter and cut your hole to have a triumphant fishing trip. The program is risk free, accurate, and best of all…it doesn’t have to be hauled out on the ice. Be sure to log on before you grab your mittens to ensure a prosperous fishing trip.
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