With all of today’s talk about high tech ice fishing–wheel houses, GPS, electronic charting, high-powered sonar, under water cameras, high speed power augers, advanced ice rods, reels, tip-ups and accessories of every imaginable kind—it seems beginning approaches are often all but forgotten. This thought struck me recently while fumbling through a box of dated ice tackle–items I remember well, as this particular collection comprised my beginner set. With carefully guarded Christmas money, I had purchased a hand auger, skimmer, tip-up, two jiggle sticks fitted with metal line winders wrapped with a few yards of mono, a couple ½” Styrofoam bobbers, and with the help and special consideration of a kind local bait shop owner, used my leftover change to buy a small selection of discounted ice jigs, a pack of wax worms and half dozen golden shiners.
A wave of fond recollections enveloped me as I eyed the dented, now rusted skimmer and jig sticks, emotions stirring as I recalled watching those still attached Styrofoam floats wiggle, followed by the subsequent heart-pounding thrill of watching as one slipped beneath the surface.
That’s when it hit me: If I was that same beginner today, wanting to try ice fishing and faced with a limited budget, questioning what tackle I’d need and how to use it, where would I access such information?
It’s with that in mind I assembled this tip. Continue reading – http://www.tgofishing.com/let-the-ice-adventures-beginsimply/