| My first ice fishing rod was very basic. It was a piece | | | | mentioned earlier, it can be as simple as a rod to hold |
| of wood dowel with an ice pick in the end to jab in | | | | the line and pull the fish in hand over hand. This |
| the ice and two pegs that came out of the side to | | | | actually works well, especially if you are fishing |
| wrap fishing line on. The line was just a braided line | | | | outside and the line is freezing up. As for rods and |
| with a piece of monofilament line at the last two | | | | reels, you can buy all types of rods, some lighter |
| feet. When you had a bite, you simply pulled the line | | | | than others depending on what you are fishing for. |
| in hand over hand. Ice tackle today can still be that | | | | My brother who is an avid fisherman usually has four |
| simple, but there is really some nice tackle out their. | | | | or five rods rigged with different lines and hook sizes. |
| The basic ice tackle you need to ice fish is an ice drill | | | | Most ice fishing is for pan fish so a light jigging rod |
| or chisel, an ice skimmer, a fishing pole as simple as | | | | with light line is most common, you will need to beef |
| described above and good ice. Let's take a closer | | | | it up for walleye and other game fish. |
| look at these basics. | | | | Those are the basic ice tackle requirements. You will |
| The first piece of ice tackle you need is some sort | | | | definitely want to consider some other items of ice |
| of ice drill or chisel unless you think the fish are hitting | | | | tackle to make your ice fishing experience more fun |
| on the surface! The most basic way to cut the ice is | | | | and productive. An ice shelter is a must piece of ice |
| with a chisel. This may work well for opening holes in | | | | tackle in cold weather. With just a small heater, you |
| thinner ice, but an auger or drill is required for thicker | | | | can fish all day in comfort while keeping you |
| ice. If you get a hand auger, keep your blades sharp | | | | equipment from freezing up. Many of these ice |
| and you will be able to drill holes with ease. One | | | | shelters are based on a sled design, allowing you to |
| drawback of the hand auger is in thicker ice, you | | | | load all your gear in the sled and pull it behind you. |
| may be kneeling down on the ice and cranking. If you | | | | Another nice piece of ice tackle to have is a depth |
| like to move around or fish a lot, invest in a power | | | | finder. Just like in summer fishing, a depth finder will |
| auger. There are several major players, Eskimo, Jiffy | | | | help you fish more efficiently. Many of these units |
| and Strikemaster just to mention a few. Most of | | | | can read through the ice. A GPS is also a nice luxury |
| these are gas augers but electric models are also | | | | item, once you find the spot, record the coordinates |
| available. Don't skimp, this is the piece of ice tackle | | | | and hang on to it. |
| that must operate for you to fish. | | | | If you haven't been ice fishing before, get yourself |
| Second piece of ice tackle on the list is the ice | | | | some of the basic ice tackle and give it a try. In |
| skimmer. The ice skimmer is a must for cleaning the | | | | many areas, you can rent an ice shelter all set up and |
| slush out of the hole. This is such a basic piece of ice | | | | ready to go with all the ice tackle you need, even |
| tackle, but if you don't have it with, it can be almost | | | | pre heated with the holes drilled! With the right ice |
| impossible to fish. | | | | tackle, you will love ice fishing. |
| The third piece of ice tackle is the rod and reel. As | | | | |