Ice Fishing Tips for First Timers.........

[bunker dunker]

"never assume "would be my tip to 1st timers.this gose with the ice thickness,gear,bait and what ever else you are bringing.double check that you have all that you will need,it takes 2 minutes and could not only make your trip a good one but could save your life.

[briansnat]

I made a ice fishing sled using a pair of old skis, a little plywood and a milk crate. ( Seen at the beginning of this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vac0G1TOovE )

It served me well over the years, but had one flaw. It was narrow and if the snow on the ice was deep, one ski would fall into my footprints the sled would tip over. It was only an issue in deep snow. Anyway I bought a Jet Sled Jr. It was only around $30 and gave my old sled to someone on IceShanty. If I were ever to make another one I'd make it wider which would solve the tipping issue in deep snow.

[rjw6375]

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.

[NJSquatch]

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.

[briansnat]

A little something I wrote last year for novices

Getting Started With Ice Fishing

[Chrisper4694]

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

[GetANet]

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!!!!!

[bigboy5522]

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?

[briansnat]

Originally Posted by GetANet

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!!!!!

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