Covering Equipment Bases for Early Ice Success

By Mike Frisch

The first part of the ice season, often referred to as early ice, usually produces some of the best fishing action of the entire year. However, fall can be a busy time for those who enjoy the outdoors and sometimes winter sneaks up on us before we’re ready for it leaving some anglers unprepared for the season’s first fishing. With that in mind, now is a good time for anglers to take an hour or two to organize their ice fishing gear and to purchase any equipment needed so they’re ready for the hot early ice bite. Here are some equipment areas anglers should consider in getting ready.

Auger

A reliable auger that quickly drills holes is not only important at early ice, but during the entire fishing season. I like to use a hand auger early in the season followed by the use of a power auger as the ice thickens. Now is a good time for anglers to check their augers for sharp blades and, if using a power auger, that the auger starts reliably and runs well.

For anglers considering the purchase of a new auger, I’ve been using a Lazer hand auger and Lazer Mag Xpress power auger for several years and have been impressed with their reliability and hole-cutting abilities.

Portable Shelter

As the sport of ice fishing continues to evolve, it seems that the “mobile ice angler” is becoming more and more of a common term. As the name implies, mobile anglers search out the most active schools of fish, rather than waiting for the fish to come to them. The use of portable fishing shelters helps anglers stay mobile.

For anglers in the market for a portable shelter, I would recommend a flip-over shack that also doubles as a sled for hauling fishing gear from spot to spot. This year I look forward to using the newly designed Ranger Solo shack . The 360-degree swivel seat on this lightweight shack should make my winter fishing more comfortable and successful.

Electronics

Another ice fishing equipment area that continues to evolve is the use of electronics. Devices like fish-finding sonar and underwater cameras not only help anglers find fish and determine when fish approach their bait, but they also make the sport more exciting. Anglers without this equipment may want to consider the purchase of a camera or sonar unit. Those already having this equipment will probably want to be sure that their units are in working order and that the batteries that power these units are charged.

Another piece of electronics that I am going to start using this year is a hand-held GPS (global positioning system). I’ve been using a hand-held unit for my open-water fishing the past three years and plan to use it to navigate to some of the same spots I fish during the summer and also to mark any newly discovered winter spots I’ll need to buy an extra set of batteries to carry along with me to insure that I’ll have power for the GPS should the old batteries run low.

Rods/Line/Lures

Getting ice augers, shelters and electronic gear ready for early ice is important, but so is the preparation of ice fishing rods and reels and the lures fished on those combinations. Early in the season, many anglers pursue fish using jigging techniques. The new-age graphite ice fishing rods that fish a lot like their longer open-water counterparts give anglers better sensitivity when jigging . For anglers considering a new jigging rod, I’d recommend the Dave Genz Lightning Rods. These rods are very sensitive and have actions available for fishing various species and lures.

While using a quality rod is important, I think it’s also essential to put fresh line on my rods/reels at the beginning of the season. And, since I usually start my fishing season in spots that have proven productive in the past and use lures that have caught fish on those spots, I like to have these lures tied on my rods ahead of time as this saves fishing time once out on the ice.

It won’t be long before we’re out on the ice pursuing the good action early ice usually brings. Anglers who take the time now to prepare their equipment by paying attention to the suggestions above should be ready to take full advantage of the hot early ice bite.