Sk8man

Oh geez...not only that but if you bring Ray along don't forget your hip boots for the BS or an extra comb so he can comb the hair on his back when he takes off some layers A big beach umbrella also helps him to adjust to conditions

I'm anxiously awaiting another season on the ice and thought that it might be an appropriate time to see if others here are willing to share any tips or helpful information they have discovered over the years to help out folks who might be interested but inexperienced to speed up the learning curve a bit. I'm not talking about divulging your life long closely held spots or derby tactics or anything just some helpful hints: I'll start it off with these as examples: (they can be specific fishing tactics, safety tips, things you have discovered to be comfortable etc.) 1. Wait until there is good hard ice at least 3 inches thick before going out there and don't go alone. Check thickness along the way at intervals. Remember: the most dangerous ice is not necessarily the hard clear stuff that may spook you or is slippery it is snow covered ice where you can't detect what is beneath you (gas pockets, faults, thin ice spots or other defects. 2. Take a "spud" or "ice chisel" with you besides having your auger and use it to "test" the ice. 3. Tape up some soft material (e.g. short section of swimming noodle) to the mid part of the rope of your sled for hand comfort 4. Carry a flashlight of some sort (inexpensive LED headlamp) for coming back in in the dark and it can double for "charging up" glow jigs as well. If using the headlamp get one that uses triple A batteries rather than the often hard to find disc type. 5. Carry "ice picks" on a cord and easily accessible in case of emergency (I also usually carry a boat seat cushion with a rope attached as well in my sled) 6. A propane or gas heater can be a welcome addition to your day as well as good warm gloves and heavily insulated boots 7. Dress in layers (plenty of them) to stay comfortable. You can always shed things if you get too warm and you don't want to start sweating because you'll be chilled. 8. Don't bring any more items than you'll actually need (I'm VERY guilty of this) because the trip out and back will seem MUCH longer as a result 9. Buy a good auger (whether power, hand, or battery powered drill type) and keep the blades sharp. Keep the cover over the blades when not in use because it keeps them sharp as well as protecting you from disaster. 10. Drill a bunch of holes when you first get to your spot whiie you are "fresh" and also so that you'll allow things to calm down (noise etc.) and any fish that were "spooked" may return to the area. 11. If you are "prospecting" or don't have a depth finder) drill some holes in an "X'" shape with holes spread out 20-30 ft from each other starting from shoreward working outward. That will allow you to determine a depth "range", give an idea of the "slope" of things as well as possible bottom characteristics (e.g. mud, weeds, gravel) and by jigging in the holes you may be able to see the direction of any fish action for further consideration. 12. Assess wind direction when you are at your spot and face your shelter (if you use one or your back if you just sit on a bucket) away from the oncoming wind whenever possible 13. Buy (inexpensive) hand warmers to put in your mits or gloves. They last for many hours 14. For your main jigging hole to help keep it from freezing over pour a little coffee or other hot liquid in it. 15 To keep bait alive and unfrozen I keep mine in a small Little Oscar cooler that has a lid that locks down. It is relatively small but holds a lot of fathead minnows and it is insulated so it can take the real cold 16. Bring a tape measure with you for game fish in case you get lucky. 17. If fishing from an ice shelter (Clam Frabill, Eskimo etc.) anchor it and help keep the wind out by placing snow around the bottom of it (skirt) "sealing it off" 18. White LED battery powered Xmas lights strung on the supports or taped to the inside work well for lighting when needed. 19. Don't try to change jigs right over your hole or open a box of hundreds of jigs balancing it on your knee in the snow.....and don't ask how I know this 20. Consider buying a hand held depth finder (one of my handiest purchases over the years) which saves a lot of time especially in unfamiliar places. It will allow you in clear (bubble free) ice to get depth readings as you go along and to spot bottom drop offs/contours. See pic. 21. Early ice and late ice are often the most dangerous times out there. Pay particular attention to areas where "bubblers" are used near docks where the ice may be undercut many yards away from the action (speaking from personal experience).

And there you have it .... the simplest solution is often the best one If it works for Rick and all the use he gives the boards I'd "take it to the bank".

Yeah Ray just graduated from the two tin cans and a string recently. He got the flip phone from Fred Flintstone (it is just like mine)

With both my Church 44's and Walleye boards I set the line as far back in the release as possible and I have the jaws tightened as much as possible (have to be careful not to tighten too much though or they could break). They are usually run on braid or 30 lb mono and I've only had it release once with a fish and huge gob of grass combined.

Nice pike Joe.....and I'll bet it felt good to be out there. Even though my boat was just put away a few weeks ago it seems like years... at least somebody's getting out there and giving the fish a headache Your trip sure points up the beauty of having an 18 ft outboard for versatile fishing too. Great boat for winter fishing as well as the usual stuff. I'm sure it will be grabbed up at that price. I saw it Joe cool....it will be a long wait for me to try out my new Xmas present Thanks.

Nice going Kevin....looks like you're getting back on your game (pun intended)

Good one panfisher