Getting back to the ice after 50 years

[Fisnfool]

Hi all;

I have not ice fished since I was 16.  Used to go on near shore Erie for blue pike and smelt with my dad in the late 50's early 60's.  And Punderson for trout and pan fish.

I have been re-wiring and re-decking my 18ft Starcraft Holiday for the last 2 years.  So I have spent the summers pond fishing.  OGF is my summer home.

But now the ice bug has bit me again.  I wanted a site dedicated to hard water fishing.  After checking several, this is the best.

Retired and looking to be on the ice with others.

Equipment I'll use, pop up ground blind as a shelter.  I am building 6 / 200 ft spool tip ups and have 2 ice rods.  Ice cleats, spud bar, poly sled for dragging the stuff on the ice, 2 ice picks for emergency, and assorted other gear.

[LeeinOH]

Welcome fisnfool.  Glad to have you.  

I noticed you didn't mention a sonar unit. A flasher is not absolutely necessary, but does make for a far higher success rate!!!!  I didn't have one last year and went with a friend of mine who did.  Our holes were 5' apart... same lure.... same presentation.  He outfished me 5 to 1.

 Guess what... this year I have a Humminbird 386 CI for primary use and a Vexilar FL-8 as a backup.

Where abouts are you located?

[snowcone]

welcome back 2 the ice      you landed at a great site 4 the hard water. everyone here is crazy about ice ,   or should I say fishing ... glad your here

[slabslayer]

Welcome! !  It's like riding a bicycle, it'll all come back to you, and there are some great guys on this site!   Where are you located and what waters do you fish?  When we get ice, I'm fishing almost everyday and I know icebucketjohn is too. We're up in NE Ohio. Hope to meet up on the ice. Any questions just ask, we're all happy to help out best we can!

[snowcone]

fish on  !!!!    you guys have some competition now that im retired  I will love 2 fish a lot now with you guys...../.

[Ntoiceman36]

Welcome to the site enjoy the info, nothing but good times and good friends here

[icebucketjohn]

Welcome Back Kotter.  

See... the addiction was only smoldering for decades. It finally came to the surface.  

Ice Fishing has changed just a tad since the 60's.



Be Safe, Best Wishes.  Fish with others.

[fool4fish]

Glad to see you return to your roots there's always a cozy warmth that comes over me when heading out on the ice hopefully we get a chance to share in it together pm me anytime u can use a partner

[snowcone]

was that you icebucket I saw at Woodstock ?   I was on the hill in the mud.

[Fisnfool]

Welcome fisnfool.  Glad to have you.  

I noticed you didn't mention a sonar unit. A flasher is not absolutely necessary, but does make for a far higher success rate!!!!  I didn't have one last year and went with a friend of mine who did.  Our holes were 5' apart... same lure.... same presentation.  He outfished me 5 to 1.

 Guess what... this year I have a Humminbird 386 CI for primary use and a Vexilar FL-8 as a backup.

Where abouts are you located?

I'm in Mentor.  I am thinking of ordering a portable set up for my Humminbird PiranhaMax I use on my boat. I was told that I should make a shallow cut for the transducer and use RV antifreeze to sit the tranducer in. I plan on trying Geneva State Park harbor area, Aquilla, Punderson, Ladue, and Mosquito.

[Fisnfool]

was that you icebucket I saw at Woodstock ?   I was on the hill in the mud.

For some reason, I can't remember if I took it to woodstock or not.

[LeeinOH]

I'd be happy to freeze a line with you sometime.  For the Pmax to work, you only need a portable battery and charger (about $30). The transducer off of your boat can be used as long as you can get it to hang correctly.  The shallow hole idea seems like it would work also.

Woodstock... I was still in diapers...