Re: Ice Fishing Tips for First Timers.........
 

cabelas makes an ice sled that is about half the price of a jet sled when you can find it in the bargain cave. I have two and have used them for ice fishing a duck hunting for a few years now. Definitely recommend it when they go on sale.

Re: Ice Fishing Tips for First Timers.........
 

also know the laws...a big one that came up on Ice Shanty was having your address on your tip-ups...some guys have gotten tickets for not having addresses on them...easiest way is to put a mailing return label with some clear tape..


Copied from page 25
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2...hcode14-15.pdf

7:25-6.14 Ice fishing
(a) Except as provided in N.J.A.C. 7:25-6.3, ice fishing shall be permitted whenever ice is present.

(b) A person, while fishing through the ice, may use not more than five devices for the taking of
fish. Devices may consist of any combination of ice supported tip-ups, fishing rods, or hand lines.
Each device may have only one single line attached.

1. Ice supported tip-ups or hand lines may have only one single pointed hook attached;

2. The line from a fishing rod may have attached either one single pointed hook; or an artificial
lure with not more than three single hooks and one burr of three hooks. On artificial
lures, single hooks may not measure more than 1/2 inch from point to shaft, and hooks on
burrs may not exceed ½ inch from point to point.

(c) Natural and artificial bait may be used with any ice fishing device.

(d) All devices that are not hand-held must be clearly marked with the name and address of the
user and shall not be left unattended.

(e) All established creel, season, and size limits apply.

Re: Ice Fishing Tips for First Timers.........
 

A little something I wrote last year for novices

Getting Started With Ice Fishing

Re: Ice Fishing Tips for First Timers.........
 

Jeez don't get me started on ghetto rigging stuff to save money... I used to take an old kids sled and bungee a big Rubbermaid storage bin to it as a sled.

And I still just modify my boat ff to be my flasher with a milk crate as a base plus storage and a float made of foam insallation as my sounder. I got a jet sled jr which is pretty cheap this year from my wife for Xmas, it's the biggest that fits in my trunk anyway.

I splurged on an electric power auger so I could get into more holes instead of being dead tired from drilling by mid day. Unfortunately tons more holes and more areas covered has not equalled more fish for me yet!

Also if you want to get real cheap you can make a tip up by just wrapping some string around a pvc pipe. Stick something on it so you will see if it spins and that's it... Don't laugh, I did it and it worked! Those and a regular Rod with the top half pulled off to jig is how I started my first ice season haha

Re: Ice Fishing Tips for First Timers.........
 

Thanks Guys, for the input but it doesn't have to only be about sleds it could be anything related to ice fishing.

What else??? Any questions ??? C'mon now!!!! None!!!!

A sharpie works really good on a wooden tip up to put your info on.

What kind of Tip Ups does everyone use..... Plus + Minuses
Looking to upgrade since I am still using my old sticks that are a least 30+yrs old! They still work fine but some are starting to get a little worn out!!!

The reason I decided to start this thread was for the gang here, I know there's other sites but none like OURS!!!!! NJF IS DE BEST!!!!!:D:D:D:D:D

Re: Ice Fishing Tips for First Timers.........
 

What kind of tips could you give me for ice fishing a new lake for the first time? Do you use some type of map to find shallow/deep water or do you just go around drilling holes in random spots?

Re: Ice Fishing Tips for First Timers.........
 

Most of the lakes I ice fish I already know pretty well from open water fishing. I still may need to drill a few holes to find the precise location of a dropoff, but it's not random because I already know the general area.

A lake that is new to me it becomes more of a random process if I dont have a map, but not completely. I'll look at the shoreline and surrounding terrain for queues.

Re: Ice Fishing Tips for First Timers.........
 

I use the basic wooden cross type tip up. It works as well as the more expensive and complicated ones I've seen. I plan to move to ice rods on tip downs and similar devices eventually because the idea of playing a fish on a rod appeals more to me than pulling them in by hand. It will be a slow process because a rod, reel and tip down aint cheap. I'll probably buy one setup a year until I have 5

Re: Ice Fishing Tips for First Timers.........
 

With no map or previous experience on the lake drill holes going out from the shore in a line and if you get a fish or nibble in a certain depth put more holes in that area. Just be methodical about it. It can be a slow lame process on a brand new lake. Much easier to hit places that you've hit with a depth finder in a boat.