Ice Fishing Equipment and Gear

All hobbies and sports have costs associated with them, and all first timers usually have a initial higher cost to get into the game. The beauty with ice fishing and fishing in general is that even though there are a lot of electronics and high end gear with ridiculous promises, you don't have to have them to play or enjoy fishing.

The start up costs are as much as you want them to be. You can save money by planning and learning before spending. Rods and reels sold as combos are quite often great deals and a good pairing of products. Craigs list, garage sales, want ads and even goodwill or salvation army stores may have them dirt cheap.

Once you get bit by the ice fishing bug, you will be buying everything under the sun, wait for the bite ...

Augers

Augers are a definite necessity of ice fishing, without it you don't fish. The auger makes the neat round hole of varying sizes that you fish out of. No hole, no fishing. Having the new model-gas-powered-do-all-the-work auger is great to have, but a hand powered model brand new in 1940 is just as good, gets 'er done as they say.

The standard hole, that works for most fish and doesn't tire you out drilling, is six inches. The larger the hole you make, the harder it is to make. If your out on the lake seeking prize sized game fishes, you are going to need a larger hole. Regardless the size of the hole you create, you are going to need a scoop to scoop out the slush ice the auger makes.

Rods and Reels

Most ice fishing rods are shorter than 'regular' fishing rods. This is mainly cause, you do not cast in ice fishing as much as plunk it down the hole. Rods and reels are so complex, they really are their own article. Click here to check it out.

Tip-ups you may have seen, they resemble little tripods over the holes with a laying down little flag on it. These are the equivalent of sticking your fishing rod shaft in some snow and leaving it. The little flag on the tip up will raise, notifying its owner of a possible catch.

Line

Most use 2-4 pound test for panfish and smaller game fish, 6-8 pound test for larger fish like walleyes. I have found the type of line, monofilament, super filament or the fluorocarbon do not make as much of a difference in ice fishing as they do in summer fishing, but I have included a more detailed article on fishing lines and when to use, here.

Only warning I can think of to offer, is always put a metal leader on your line in case a pike gets it and learn how to do secure knots.

Lures

Technically lures and everything about lures could be its own magazine with bi weekly releases so vast is this small piece of gear for fishing. Unlike summer fishing though you do not need a gazillion lures to enjoy the day. With ice fishing you only need a small assortment of lures.

A basic skeleton of what to bring would include spoons, jigging cranks, plastics and jig heads. As your love of the hobby will grow, as will your lure collection.

Miscellaneous Items

A minnow bucket for any live bait, try to not let it freeze. Nothing fancy, any old bucket will do. You will also need a net of a sort, to easily catch them.

Sleds help you be mobile on the ice with more speed that walking, though I won't say less effort. There are many manufactured ones, but really so long as it securely holds your gear and allows to focus on something else, its perfect. Can buy a manufactured one, of if you are creative, can build your own. I included a link to a article that helps with building your own sled.

A seat .. a cushion ... anything to sit on. I realized my error in judgement in forgetting one right after we finished auger'ing a hole.

Do not forget high energy food, warm drinks, dry clothes and all pertinent safety gear.