Modern Ice Fishing Gear » Ice Fishing Tips and Tricks http://modernicefishing.com Ice Fishing gear, lures and jigs to catch more fish Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:04:09 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 What Type of Oil Should I use in My Gas Ice Auger http://modernicefishing.com/485/what-type-of-oil-should-i-use-in-my-gas-ice-auger/ http://modernicefishing.com/485/what-type-of-oil-should-i-use-in-my-gas-ice-auger/#comments Fri, 05 Nov 2010 03:23:31 +0000 http://modernicefishing.com/?p=485 what type of oil should i use in my gas ice augerWhen it comes to gas powered ice augers there is nothing more important than having the right kind of gas and oil mix.  If there is one thing that these integral pieces of modern ice fishing equipment requires it is a good tank of gas and the oil that you put in there is nearly as important.  In fact, when I have someone ask me what is wrong with their auger the first thing that always comes to my mind is that the gas is bad.  For as good as these work and help ice anglers jump from hole to hole to fully utilize the remainder of their arsenal like their ice fishing rods and reels, ice fishing flashers and even ice fishing houses, they are quite particular when it comes to their fuel.

With that in mind, the best combination of oil and gas that I have found is a high end oil like Amsoil Saber Professional and non oxygenated gasoline.  There will be people that swear by premium gas for their augers, but between the research I have done for outboard motors and the same for power ice augers, the premium gas will work with the auger, but it won’t make it function better.  With the government requiring states to put ethanol (read corn turned into something that your gas burning engines can use for fuel) it is even more important to keep the stuff out of your engines.  Especially those old used ice augers that so many of us still run.  Another thing to keep in mind is that in the winter the government requires states to increase the amount of ethanol in the gas it is even more important.  So it is very important to make sure you go with non oxygenated fuel.  Couple that with some Amsoil in the tank and you will be set to go.

When it comes time to store it for the summer season, make sure to drain the gas.  There is nothing worse for a gas ice auger than old gasoline.  And if you are constantly getting that super smoky black soot from the exhaust it is almost always cured from going with a higher quality oil.  Amsoil Saber Professional will do the trick as will several others.

]]> http://modernicefishing.com/485/what-type-of-oil-should-i-use-in-my-gas-ice-auger/feed/ 0 Ice Fishing At Night http://modernicefishing.com/418/ice-fishing-at-night/ http://modernicefishing.com/418/ice-fishing-at-night/#comments Sat, 04 Sep 2010 03:08:04 +0000 http://modernicefishing.com/?p=418 When it comes to ice fishing, perhaps nothing can be more rewarding than fishing at night on the hard water. When it comes to ice fishing crappie, more often than not you need to flirt with darkness and many times embrace it fully to be successful. Walleyes are very similar in this regard where It can be very hard to get them to bite willfully in the daylight, but they strap on the feedbag on once the light becomes low. Walleye and crappie are especially adept at hunting for their food in low light and night conditions and therefore if you are a true chaser of these fish you should make plans to be efficient in these conditions.
When it comes to ice fishing at night it is imperative to realize that the ice fishing gear you need changes quite remarkably. First and foremost, it is often VERY cold at night and therefore an ice fishing house is almost a necessity. A permanent ice house is often the best option, but with today’s high tech exteriors, the portable ice house can be used as well. If you are in a ice hut, then you should obviously have some sort of heater to keep warm also. The array of ice fishing heaters available today is something to behold. From the catalytic heaters from Coleman to the mega heat producing Big Buddy heater from Mr Heater you have a lot to choose from.
Once you are toasty warm and can fish for a while in the elements, it is time to talk terminal tackle. There is no need to change your ice fishing rods or ice fishing reels at all, but when fishing at night it can be very beneficial to go with glowing ice fishing jigs. Even for those species that are known to benefit by low light conditions it helps to have a lure that stands out from the surroundings. Having a charger or white light to ensure that you have a glowing lure is paramount to success here. If you lose your glow often you are in the exact boat as all the other anglers that aren’t catching fish.
Other than that you are likely to use the same things that you would use in the middle of the day. Ice fishing flashers are still an indispensable tool to catch fish. It works as well at night as it does during the day. Knowing where the fish are in the water column and how they are reacting to your presentation is still a game changing event.
Mille Lacs ice fishing is well known for an excellent night bite. The walleye on this lake are hard to find in the middle of the day and due to the clear water they can hunt efficiently at night for their food. When it comes to ice fishing at night just remember to have a light source and a way to stay warm and you can definitely be very successful this winter.

]]> http://modernicefishing.com/418/ice-fishing-at-night/feed/ 0 Portable Ice Fishing Shelters http://modernicefishing.com/364/portable-ice-fishing-shelters/ http://modernicefishing.com/364/portable-ice-fishing-shelters/#comments Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:40:39 +0000 http://modernicefishing.com/?p=364 When it comes to modern ice fishing it is imperative to remember the key tenets: mobility and use of technology.  At the end of the day it comes down to catching fish.  If you want to catch more fish, you need to be willing to embrace the ideas presented by the ice fisherman of today. With that in mind, portable ice fishing shelters are a key piece of ice fishing gear that needs to be a part of your strategy.

The Best Portable Ice Fishing Shelters For Sale On The Web

Please feel free to browse the great selection below

··Portable Ice Shelters ·· Clam Ice Fishing Shelters ··Bestsellers··

Browse The Full Range Of Portable Ice Fishing Shelters For Sale HERE

All orders are processed through Ebay for the best possible customer service

There are a few ways to use your portable ice fishing houses to increase your success on the ice.  The first and most common method is to drill a series of holes and move your portable to each set of holes and fish.  The beauty of the portable house is that you can move it relatively easily, but once you have found that little honey hole you have a place to fish and stay warm.  And let's be honest, when you are ice fishing it is almost always cold out side.  Anything you can do to extend the amount of time you are able to stay on the ice fishing, the better chance you have of doing well.  On top of the warmth the shelters of today are very comfortable.  No more sitting on a 5 gallon bucket and have a sort posterior at the end of the day.

Another great way to utilize the benefits of a portable shelter is to punch a large amount of holes.  Place your portable shelter in the middle of these holes and set up shop.  Assuming at some point the fishing in that spot won't be the fastest you can then leave the house and go outside and hole hop in the search of fish.  Using Marcum fish finders to go from hole to hole and see if there are any fish below is a great way to catch more fish.  Ice fishing crappie can be especially fruitful this way as they tend to be suspended over deep water in a general area, but also roam about as the day progresses.  Being able to move around and then go back to your portable ice fishing huts allow for more time on the ice.  And the need for ice fishing gloves greatly decreases with this method.  Simply grab your ice fishing rod and have at it.

What brand Ice Fishing Shelter Should I Buy?

A common question when it comes time to finally lay down the scratch to buy that shelter it is good to know what you are looking for.  The biggest name in ice shelters has to be Clam.  Clam ice fishing houses are known for their quality construction and impressive track record.  Other brands to consider as the top of the barrel would be Otter and Eskimo.  All make quality houses that will last for years.

Where to buy Portable Ice Fishing Shelters Online?

My suggestion would be to go to your local retailer to check out the selection and pick the one you like the best then come back here (or online) and find a better deal for your shelter.  The best place to go if you are looking for a deal would be Ebay.  I have included several links above to Ebay auctions that are good to great deals.  You can also check out Amazon as they have a decent selection and some pretty good pricing.  Here is an example:

Otter Pro XT900 XTREME THERMAL Resort Package Ice House (Blue Camo) - 2856
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Otter Pro XT900 XTREME THERMAL Lodge Package Ice House (Blue Camo) - 2846
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Otter® Pro Medium Cabin - Ice Camo Package
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Otter® Pro Magnum Lodge-Ice Camo Package
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Otter® Sled Tow Hitch Small / Medium / Magnum
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]]> http://modernicefishing.com/364/portable-ice-fishing-shelters/feed/ 2 First Ice Is The Best Ice – But Be Careful! http://modernicefishing.com/143/first-ice-is-the-best-ice-but-be-careful/ http://modernicefishing.com/143/first-ice-is-the-best-ice-but-be-careful/#comments Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:23:48 +0000 http://modernicefishing.com/?p=143 The old adage always goes that first ice is the best ice.  In general it turns out to be true as fish are feeding with abandon to store up for the long winter.  Unfortunately with this period comes a lot of risk on the ice anglers part.  Ice will obviously be thin and can be patchy and unpredictable.  Here are my rules for venturing out early in the season.

1) If I think that it is questionable to be on the ice, don't be on the ice.  This is supposed to be fun, and taking my life in my hands is not my idea of a good time.  If in doubt, error on the side of caution.

2) The ice better be 4-6" thick near shore.  I want all ice to be at least 4" thick if I'm going on the ice, so I cut a hole in shallow water (2' or so) and check the thickness of the ice.  If it isn't 4" there, I'm off the ice.  End of story, if it is, I will consider venturing out.

3) Bring some specialized ice fishing gear.  Bring a ice chisel or similar to test the ice on every step.  If the chisel breaks through at any point, go back EXACTLY as you came.  The ice obviously was strong enough to support you on the way out, it should hold you as your retreat.

4) Bring some ice spikes just in case.  These simple safety tools can literally be the difference between life and death if the worst case happens.  Either buy some or make some to have at the ready in case of disaster.

Like all of you, I'm all in for catching a lot of fish.  As soon as I can get an ice fishing rod in my hand I am all for being game on.  But in order to continue to do this year after year we need to keep in mind how truly dangerous early and thin ice can be.  Please be extremely careful while on the ice, especially early in the season.

]]> http://modernicefishing.com/143/first-ice-is-the-best-ice-but-be-careful/feed/ 0 How To Wake A Dead Battery For Your Ice Fishing Flasher or Underwater Camera http://modernicefishing.com/132/how-to-wake-a-dead-battery-for-your-ice-fishing-flasher-or-underwater-camera/ http://modernicefishing.com/132/how-to-wake-a-dead-battery-for-your-ice-fishing-flasher-or-underwater-camera/#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:02:04 +0000 http://modernicefishing.com/?p=132 We have all run into dead batteries over time for our ice fishing electronics.  Whether it is for that ice fishing flasher or underwater ice fishing camera, batteries that sit for prolonged periods tend to have troubles with holding a charge after a while.  While it is good practice to have a back up battery available, a "dead" battery can often be restored into perfect working condition.

Here is the process, which can take up to a week, but usually only takes 3-4 days.  Every morning set up your charger and attach it to the battery.  Every night remove the charger from the battery and allow to sit over night.  Repeat this every day until you get the battery to take a charge.  If it won't take a charge after a week of trying this, then your battery is more than likely truly shot.  More often than not this process will yield a battery that will take a charge and run your ice fishing electronics.  There really isn't anything more important in your ice fishing gear than your flasher, so don't mess around with a bad battery!

]]> http://modernicefishing.com/132/how-to-wake-a-dead-battery-for-your-ice-fishing-flasher-or-underwater-camera/feed/ 0 Modify your tactics for finicky fish on the ice http://modernicefishing.com/8/modify-your-tactics-for-finicky-fish-on-the-ice/ http://modernicefishing.com/8/modify-your-tactics-for-finicky-fish-on-the-ice/#comments Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:37:47 +0000 http://modernicefishing.com/?p=8

While ice fishing and if you see fish rising to the bait on your ice fishing flasher, but refuse to take it you more than likely have a fish willing to bite.  However, if you are persistent these fish can be coaxed into eating, but are looking for a slightly different presentation.  If you find yourself in this situation it is time to start switching things up.   If you have at least one other ice fisher with your the process is easier to manage, but even if alone you can absolutely make it work.

So grab your wide array of ice fishing gear and take note.  The initial thing to is to downsize your lure / bait / both.  If you are using a 1/4 ounce lure, go with the same color bait but one that is an eighth or 1/16 ounce.  Or keep the same sized lure, but go with a different color.  Or maybe the fish want chartreusse instead of silver or red glow instead of white glow.  Or maybe it is simply the bait attached to your lure.  Change to a wax worm instead of a crappie minnow or just the head of the minnow.  Or maybe switch to another minnow entirely. ]]> http://modernicefishing.com/8/modify-your-tactics-for-finicky-fish-on-the-ice/feed/ 0