DRESS FOR ICE-FISHING SUCCESS

There are a number of factors that will determine ice-fishing success. You need to find the area where the fish are hanging out, you need to put a lure near them that they are interested in eating, and you need to be careful. You also need to dress appropriately for your time on the ice.

If you're not dressed correctly for ice-fishing, you simply will not enjoy the experience. It's no fun being cold. Also, if you're cold, you won't be concentrating on the fishing. You'll be thinking about your freezing toes or fingers or whatever else. If you don't concentrate on what you're lure is doing, you'll miss strikes and won't change lures as much as you should. No doubt about it, dressing for ice-fishing is important. Let's start dressing from the feet up.

Modern boots are very efficient at keeping feet warm. Cold feet should be a thing of the past if you have proper fitting boots that match the climate you're fishing in. Generally, the warmest boots are the heaviest. These are great in extreme conditions, but they can be too much for early season ice-fishing. I like a lightweight pack-boot most of the time, especially if there is some snow on the ice. Snow serves as an insulator between the ice and your feet and seems to keep your feet warmer.

Many of the ice-anglers I talk to don't like really heavy, bulky socks. Most seem to prefer a thin sock on your foot, then one of medium weight over that. That combination prevents sweat from making your feet cold.

As we work up, our next stop is the legs. There are some new lightweight long-johns that do a great job. If you're not going to be wearing bibs, you definitely need to consider these lightweight wonders. I usually wear bibs however. They provide protection from the elements, but also provide protection from fish slime. With the bibs, you can kneel right down on the ice when you need to and your pants will stay dry. The bibs that I have been most pleased with are the Carhartt Extremes. With the Extremes, I can wear less and still stay warm. And fish slime washes right off of them.

Layering clothing on your torso is the way to go. A lightweight, long-sleeved pullover shirt goes on first, next a hooded sweatshirt, then a vest. Much of the time this is all you'll need to stay warm. In colder weather, the coat part of my Carhartt Extremes is worn on the outside.

A lot of heat can be lost out the top of an uncovered head. A simple stocking cap or lined cap can prevent that from happening.

When some people think ice-fishing, they first think of getting cold. That doesn't need to be the case. Dress properly when you're going to be on the ice and you will increase your chances for success.

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