noob fear

[zoeconner]

I went out on my pond tonight and dug a whole. Man what fun lol. The hole time I was really sh**ing my pants. Once I got through it, it was about 3"-4" of ice. Is that good for a pond or lake? How was it your first time on ice? How did you get over it? I dropped in my Ice 35(love it). Just one on the ice for about 15min and loved it. I might like this better than soft water .

[Hillbilly]

Been cuttin holes in the ice for over 15 years, still get light footed when a  rift comes running across the ice. First ever trip i took my fishing partner on the ice (hes over 350lbs by the way), had him sittin on a bucket, after a couple other folks down-lake drilled some holes, pressure changed, and a crack came ripping up the lake, you could hear it coming, and it ran right underneath his bucket...before i could tell him it was ok, i looked up to see a bucket spinning, and him standing over it, and he suddenly only weighed about 4.3lbs and was more than ready to run, i think if i had sneezed he'd have cleared the distance to shore in about 3 seconds...

A healthy respect for ice will keep you safe, ive seen alot of people try to be tough guys, push the limits, dont be that guy, he normally ends up wet, very cold...much worse in some cases, dont be that guy.

HB

[davek]

Gosh guys sounds like we hooked another, good to hear some of you are getting out wait until youve been on a river thats gone down a bit and the ice drops a couple of inches under you no real danger but it will make you cringe. Hopefully you never get over it thats when you start to take things for granted and thats when bad things can happen have fun but above all be safe Dave

[crv423]

4'' is good, I've been on alot less than 4'' and I'm around 250lbs, If the ice is clear its good ice if its white its bad. I wouldn't suggest to anyone to go out on less than 4''. Keep in mind NO ice is completely save.

[ratherbefishing]

if you have good clear ice that you can see right through you're in good shape with 4". Just remember, the spaot you're in has 4", but 15 feet away might have 1"-2".

[davidhoheisel]

Please use the spud bar to check the ice as you walk out. 2 hits and if it does not go through than its pretty good ice.

Then drill to check the thickness. If the ice is not clear than it could be unsafe.

Last please don't go out by yourself. That is why i started the site so you can meet people in your area to fish with.

You will love the 35. Good luck and hope to see you on the ice this winter. Dont forget to post pictures of your catch. We love to see them