Greetings from Toledo

[ryanr623]

Morning all! New member/Ice Fisherman from Toledo, Ohio here. A little bit of background. Avid hunter and fisherman, who's always wanted to try out ice fishing. Well 2 years ago I finally found someone with a shanty and who was willing to go towards the end of that year. I fell in love immediately. However last year, since the winter season wasn't all that cold, I wasn't comfortable going out.... so I've literally been waiting almost 2 years to go again.... And finally it's been cold enough! Bought all my gear and I'm thinking with the 2 weeks of cold weather and the past 5 days of 0 degree night weather I should be good to go.

One question. How do you guys measure the ice thickness? I'm overly cautious so going out onto the ice to drill a hole on ice you're not sure about seems dangerous to me.

[slabslayer]

First off, welcome!!!
As far as ice thickness, use a spud bar.  Typically if it doesn't go thru on 3 hits, you're safe. You can drill holes and measure with a tape also. But any ice angler will tell you a spud bar is vital to have. Saved me from getting wet more than once. If you search this site in the ice safety section you'll get all kinds of pointers for safe travels on the ice as well as what safety gear you'll need if you don't already have it. Also feel free to ask any other questions about ice safety. We'll be glad to help you!
And maybe pm handymanjeff, he's in your area and might be able to fish with you a time or 2 till you feel more comfortable. Glad you found the site!!

[ryanr623]

Thanks! Any recommendations on brands of spud bars?

[slabslayer]

Yes. I got a 12 pound pry bar from Ace. There is a thread in the general discussion just recently on the topic of spud bars. That has a lot of useful information and the preferences of a lot of different guys. It should be helpful.

[ryanr623]

Thanks for your help! Good luck this year!