Ice Fish Ohio Forum
Ice Fishing => General Discussion => Topic started by: 30inthabucket on August 30, 2015, 03:01:18 PM
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Ok so last year was my first time on the ice. Was pretty much on my own figuring out what to do. Started out with some cheap rods, a couple jigging raps and some crappie jigs. Caught 3 eyes my first time out and was absolutely hooked after that. Started picking up more stuff here and there as I went when I saw something I liked or was shown by guys I met on the ice that was working for them. I've been buying up stuff over the summer and now am getting quite a collection of ice tackle. So I was wondering what you more experienced guys carry on the ice. I hate being out fishing and they are hitting something I don't have, but also dislike dragging around a bunch of stuff I don't need. What's your go to bait? How much tackle do you guys carry? And also I didn't get started until late Jan so I have never fished early ice. Anything different you guys do early? I mostly fished Indian last year but plan on trying some new water this winter and will definitely try to hit erie.
And I mostly target eyes and crappie.
Figure this at least gives us something to talk about. Any advice is appreciated.
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My go to baits for inland lake eyes and crappies are vibes, jigging raps and buckshot rattle spoons as well as a few jigs. I use 1/16 to 3/16oz. baits for the most part. Unlike most people, if the bite is tough I upsize baits, especially vibes. For Erie, I use #5 to #7 swedish pimples and jigging raps. Little cleo spoons in 1/3 to 2/5 oz. work well too. Hopes this helps. A wealth of info can be had at the dock tourneys. Good luck.
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Yeah I'd love to try the dock tourneys but I spend every weekend in November in a tree stand. But once those tags are filled, count me in. I love donating money.lol. I'll think of it as paying for advice. Thanks for the tips G
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I'm on my third year and I'm hooked. I hope to make the dock tourneys this year myself. I'm usually at CJ Brown because I only live 15 minutes from there. I plan to hit Indian heavy this year and hopefully have better luck. I want to catch an eye through the ice so bad. I am hoping to make it to Erie this year and follow everyone out.
As for gear I pretty much use the same stuff already mentioned. I wish I knew when to use what. Hopefully I learn a little more this year.
Man I can't wait to get back on the ice.
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I'll give you some good tips and some basic lures that will cover your needs. Just haven't had time to do a reply that long, been working like crazy!
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but if I tell you then everyone will know...hahaahh just kiddin ....wow there is so much....spoons, jigs , shrimpos, I usually poke around and see what is working where also
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Yeah I really think I've got plenty. I have a tendency to go a little overboard buying tackle. I could pack enough clothes for a two week vacation in my river bag and my crappie bag isn't much smaller. My garage looks like a cabelas store. But I almost always have what they are biting on ;D may need to grab a few vibes.think most of mine are prob too big for ice. Thanks for the help guys. And feel free to pm me with your hot baits and secret spots once the ice gets here...
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We may have to compare vehicles this winter, I have a problem. My crew cab Chevrolet is a two seater sometimes. It has been named bobbys cabelas, or my Swiss army truck. I bought a case for my extra ice rods, it has twenty four in it. Six hand augers as of today and one gas, more in the works. Like I said I have a problem
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My wife found this
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Like I said I have a problem 3 boats. Wife bought one for me. Show her this post. Good luck
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I get that! I did the 3 boats for a bit and my wife said our house can't look like a marina. So I sold all 3 and got a ranger. ;D Not what she had in mind I think, but it worked! !
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I feel ya have a couple myself ;D
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Well my eskimo quickflip showed up yesterday ;D Found one on amazon for 229 with free shipping!!! They shipped my spud bar free too. gotta get it put together and get some jigs poured and painted and I think I'm ready to go... well maybe i need just a couple more things...lol
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To be a great panfish fisherman on Indian you don't need much. I fish light and fish small for BIG fish. Only certain companies have tungsten as small as I like to run 2.5 3mm and only one has 2mm 1lb test is also tough to find good quality line in 2is as high as I go rods are 17 inches maximum and palm rods are my go to. Literally can walk out with a 4inch finbor scoop and a tool carrier made by Husky packed with palms with bait plyers hand warmers in the middle and I am set! To learn more check out one of my seminars this year.
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well now guy there are times when runnin in ninja mode is fun, but there times when ya just have to take the luxery road ;D
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Banker don't ever tell my wife anything like that!!! I'll get that look... you know the I told you you didn't need all that stuff look. But I do appreciate the advice. My success last year def improved as my baits got smaller. Ended up the year using 1/200th gold jighead with a tiny plastic or a spike. Was working great then the damn ice thawed >:( I have found some very tiny tungsten on e bay. Can't wait to try em. Do you usually just tip with a spike or waxie?
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I bring both and try different combinations half spike/half wazie, whole spike, 3spikes, 3 waxies I find I have 3 spikes (red white combo) on the most
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Instead of carrying everything, even if it fits in a bucket, I use a mixing tray to haul my gear. It measures 3 ft. by 2 ft. and cost less than than $15.00.
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good question 30 as you can see already got all these wondering minds talking bout all kinds of things,happens when you get the fever waiting for the chill but to directly answer your question not that im a senior pro ive given alot of thought to the question in my past and its highly dictated by the bite your chasing it aint always catching so sometimes it can take sticking to your bait when conditions slow but jigging raps in a med size range can catch alot of fish rattling buckshot flyers and vibe blades are my 3 most readily available in my area that i keep as must for most species of course panfish jigs are another ball game which i always bring in case another target isnt cooperating cant leave out pimples slender spoon and phobee grant turned me on to them on here i can confidently say i iced more crappie across ohio than other other bait last year hope this helps out some
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2 things. Fool4fish I followed your post all the way to phobee. Not sure what that is . Post a pic for me maybe?
Second I was wondering what everyone's opinion on ice line was? Favorite brands, size, does color matter? Mono floro braid? Banker touched on it some but I'd like to hear some more thoughts on the subject. Maybe 2 categories pan fish and saugeye/walleye. Thanks for the help guys
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ya say ice line ? my favorite rod has 5lb power pro braid w a short leader of fluro ....
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I use 6 lb. mono. If I go for panfish, I tie a leader of 2 or 4 lb. mono to a barrel swivel.
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Hey 30, if you want to see what a phoebe looks like, go to fishusa website and type phoebe in the search box and it will show you what they are. I use the 1/8 oz. gold ones with good success.
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Yeah I found them. The spelling had me screwed up. Google kept giving me hits on the TV show friends.lol
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Sorry 30 I didn't see I misspelled that but Grant already helped out on just like he helped me good tip on a good bait
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I used to buy my phoebes at Gander Mountain. Will have to see if they still carry them since I am running low on them. They work great casting for stocked trout too.
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If you are talking about the Gander in Huber heights I was there sat and they didn't have ice stuff out yet
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Hey guys before you try those big stores (whose ice fishing displays probably won't be out for a while yet) give a call to some of the local sponsors listed on this Web site. I bet Marks bait and tackle in ravenna,Mogadore baits or places like those will have what your looking for or can get it for ya. Just putting that out there,I always try to give a little back to the local guy, they do a lot for us and this site.
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I hear you nt but I and I'm pretty sure g are in southwest ohio. The stores you mentioned are hours from here. I do shop at some local bait and tackle shops here and around the lakes I fish but driving halfway across the state for some spoons and jigs isn't doable for me.I'm definitely interested in marks if I ever get up that way though. I hear it's awesome.
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I hear my friend,but I think it's worth a phone call to him and I bet he would ship them to ya. Mark is a great guy and would be glad to help if he can.
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I agree that he would ship items but going in person is a whole different deal. I live in Marysville and love it when I have time for that trip.
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Worth the trip he'll even put together your shanty for you if you buy it there
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Hey 30, I live in Xenia and bought my phoebes at the Gander in Huber. They weren't in the ice gear, they were just on the shelf. I would love to go to Marks Bait sometime but I would want to buy a lot of tackle to make it worth it.
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Ok I will check them out. And I live in beavercreek so we're pretty close. If you ever want to hook up to do some fishing let me know. Be nice to split gas and to be honest I'd like to go out with someone more experienced on early ice. I bought a spud bar and picks but I've never been out on ice less than 8 inches. Didn't start ice fishing until January of last year. And maybe we could get up by marks ;D I like buying tackle
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We will definitely have to get together this winter. Indian Lake is usually my early ice destination and I mainly target saugeyes and perch. If I panfish, I have a pond near home that is full of big bluegills. Look forward to meeting and fishing with you.
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Sounds good. Hopefully I can get up to alum to meet some of you guys in person. If not I'll message you whenever we start getting some ice.
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If at all possible come up to Alum, you will have a blast.
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I'm gonna try to get up there but it just depends on how deer season goes. If it doesn't cool off soon I may not get even get in a stand till nov. Dec may be doable. Got to hit at least one tourney before ice
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It's well worth attending at least one dock tourney. A lot of info is free for the asking and new fishing partners are there for the asking. I love the dock tourneys. Can't wait for them to start again.
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I'm going to the dock tournaments this year. If for nothing else to learn from others and put a face to the names. One thing I would like to start understanding is when to use what. Big baits small baits what colors and why type of stuff.
I have only been at this a few years now but I can honestly say I would rather ice fish than soft water fish. There is something about dragging a sled out, cutting a hole and enjoying a cup of coffee watching the lights blink. Bring on the ice.
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I did good two years ago but now I just donate money. I wouldn't trade the time at the docks for anything. You will have a blast, and I will have plenty of useless information. I'm the fat guy with to much stuff (other people say).
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Hey g I picked up 8 of those phoebe spoons on an e bay auction for 19.99. Asst. Sizes and colors. Figure I'll give em a shot. You can never have too much stuff, right?
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Great deal 30. I'll have to check E bay myself. Thanks for the info.
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Worth the trip he'll even put together your shanty for you if you buy it there
Just put together my eskimo quickflip.ugh! What a pain in the a**! Maybe I should have bought one from Mark and had him put it together. At least now I can say I've had my shanty set up in my living room.lol. was about to bait up an ice rod with a dog treat and do some black lab jigging ;D
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I can safely say that Marks Bait and Tackle is a awesome place when buying shantys that need assembly in Ohio!