[whadley]

I am coming up on my first winter in Colorado and would like to try some ice fishing. I am fairly proficient in spin and am learning the fly thing, but have never done any ice fishing. What methods are most effective, places to go, ( I have a home in Hartsel just down from 11 mile/Spinney) and gear to buy?
I prefer trout to the other species, but like most fisherman, would rather bend the rod than just have it in my hands.
What equipment is necessary to be efective?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Bill

 

[kokaneeking]

if i was going to begin, id have

gas auger, (hand augers suck!!!!)
ice rod
decent reel
good ice line
ice jigs
ice hut

i like wax worms but i fish mainly for kokes, but trout love um too, also meal worms, nightcrawlers and powerbait , and also spawn sacs

 

[epic]

if i was going to begin, id have

gas auger, (hand augers suck!!!!)

Haha so when you see me out on the ice trying to drill threw a hole that someone else used the day before, feel free to come over and punch a few threw for me.

For 11 mile (Spinney is closed to ice fishing) I would add to Kokanee's post by saying ice cleats as the ice there can get pretty slick from the wind smoothing it out. There are pike in 11 mile so I would add a tip up to the list, if you have a 2nd rod stamp. A bucket and sled to get your stuff out there and something to sit on. A thermos of hot chocolate (or coffee or tea). Dress in layers, poly pro or under armor next to the skin is best.

 

[Guest]

well i would just say that u dont need to feel like your first year ice fishin u should get a gas auger and a hut, i for one find the hut completely unnecessary, especially if u wanna move around, whihc is a good idea, hand augers are fine with until the ice is like 2 feet thick, but if your blades are sharp it takes less than 5 minutes, just get like a 6 inch or 7 incher, they are like 40 dollaz, also, an ice rod is a good idea, but a lot of guys i know will use normal stuff, hell, ive seen my buddy catch trout through the ice on a 7 foot pole, ten pound test and powerbait

ok, im a rookie and dont know as much as most everyone else on here, but the point im trying to get across is that the only thing you really really need is an ice auger, and cleat are cheap too, just lil rubber strappy deals with spikes

so get an auger, try out some normal gear on an easy lake, and wait till u see if u like it to spend your paycheck

stang

 

[atownbasser]

Hey mustang I think that is good advice. I am also a rookie ice fisherman, and I just bought a hand auger ($40 @ bass pro), 2 cheap short ice poles ($40), and one of those scoops($5) to keep the slush out of the hole. The only other things I think I need are ice pole holders and line. What kind of line do you guys use? I was just going to use my normal Stren.
Thanks guys and good luck on the ice.

 

[reg]

Hey mustang I think that is good advice.  I am also a rookie ice fisherman, and I just bought a hand auger ($40 @ bass pro), 2 cheap short ice poles ($40), and one of those scoops($5) to keep the slush out of the hole.  The only other things I think I need are ice pole holders and line.  What kind of line do you guys use?  I was just going to use my normal Stren. 
Thanks guys and good luck on the ice.

I have been ice fishing for about 35 years and I strictly use a 6" hand auger. I change my blades about four times per winter and that is the ticket to having the crank work for you. I have had people tell me that a 6" isn't big enough, but last year we pulled out a 34" Northern that we estimated around 15-16lbs.

As far as line, depends what you are fishing for and the clarity of the water. If you are fishing a crystal clear lake, go with Vanish or P-line, as they are mostly invisible. Sportsmans quit carring Vanish, but I saw they had it at Dick's. That stuff is great. I also use spiderwire and stuff like it when the conditions or type fish merit it's use. You can see it in clear water, which means the fish can, too. I also keep a couple of reels ready with plain 'ol stren, too. I typically have 4 to 10 rod/reels with me at any given time on the ice to be ready for whatever (again, depending on where I'm fishing and what I'm fishing for).

Welcome to the world of ice fishing, new guys! It is the greatest activity on earth (that doesn't require a woman!)

 

[whadley]

Thank you all for the information. It looks like a stop at the new Outdoor World in Denver will be on my agenda when I get back out there in December.
Looking forward to some really cold trout kokes or whatever else I can get to bite!
Bill

 

[Cutthroat]

if i was going to begin, id have

gas auger, (hand augers suck!!!!)
ice rod
decent reel
good ice line
ice jigs
ice hut

i like wax worms but i fish mainly for kokes, but trout love um too, also meal worms, nightcrawlers and powerbait , and also spawn sacs

Good list, but I can assure you that a high-torque drill driver 14.4 V (300+ in/lbs of torque) will push a 6" hand auger through 24" of ice about 4-6 times on a single battery, and faster than most gas augers that drill 10" holes bigger than most will ever need.

I use a Porter-Cable 14.4V cordless drill/driver, and an Ice Kicker drill attachement with a 6" mora hand auger drill. Kicks arse.

 

[Guest]

dude-i would pay money to see you cut holes with that system ??? not saying you are nuts, but i have had cordless power drills for years (dewalt, potercable, craftsman, b&d, ryobi etc.) and while they can hog out some holes in wood, they do have a limit. if i saw it worked, i'd be on it!