What type of Ice fishing gear do you need?

What is all the necessary equipment for ice fishing besides the Rod and Reel? Why do people have the portable heaters and point it towards the ice hole, is this so the water doesn’t freeze. I just bought a Ice fishing Rod and was wondering can i use my Shimano Symetre 2500FI with 10lb braided test for ice fishing or do i need something smaller with a lower test.
Also if you do not have a depth finder how do you no how deep your fishing when ice fishing also what type of baits work for ice fishing. Live or Fake? Are Crappie minnows with a jig good?
Also I do not want to spend money and carrying a heavy Motorized Ice Auger so do those cheaper Hand Ice Auger work effectively. There are also different sizes for these Hand Augers what size is good?
Thanks so much- if you haven’t notice this is going to be my first time Ice fishing.
Thanks for the help guys

Where are you Ice fishing?

In MN, there are only 5 major things you need to consistently catch fish & be comfortable doing it.

#1.) Auger- either an electric, gas, or hand auger.

#2.) Shelter- there are many variety’s of shelters; Tents with the floor cut out, Clam shelters, built permanent houses, Etc.

#3.) Heat source- A decent propane heater with a low O2 oxygen cut-off.

#4.) A decent Flasher- Vexilar makes the most reliable (and cheapest) flasher , (Vexilar FL-8 $300)

#5.) Rods & Reels- A small spinning/ice-jig reel with 3-4LB diameter Power Pro or Berkley Ice Fireline.

Obviously, you don’t want to go out and spend $6-$800 to get started?

Here’s the Budget list-

1.) Auger- You HAVE to own an auger. A hand auger works fine for thin-medium thick ice, (6″-2FT). But they require some muscle power and sweat to utilize. The size hole you want to punch equals the size/species of fish you want to pursue. (Example- If your mainly after Panfish get the 5″; if your thinking Pike, Walleye, & Panfish get the 8″; if your mainly after Lake Trout/Large Pike & Big Walleye get the 10″.)

However, understand: the larger the hand auger, the harder to punch holes. I suggest you get an 8″ or 6″. Lazer is a good brand.

2.) Shelter- If you don’t want to purchase a Clam shelter or cheap tent you CAN just sit in a camp-chair or bucket on the ice.

The problem?

When you go it may only be 30 degree’s outside, but once you get out in the middle of the lake due to wind the windchill will drop the temp 10-15 degree’s.

Do you really want to sit on a bucket in 15-20 degree weather? I’ve done it plenty and it takes all the fun out of fishing! (lol) (Heck, I once almost literally froze my @ss off! lol)

3.) Heater- If your gonna sit on the ice get a cheapy heater, (with no O2 sensor/ like a Coleman Black Cat). At least you can keep your hands and feet warm and your hole open. If you decide to get a closed shelter you need a heater with a low O2 sensor so you don’t suffocate yourself. “Mr Heater” is the best brand of portable propane heater’s available, (with low O2 sensors).

4.) Flasher- You don’t NEED a Vexilar but , (in most cases), it’s the difference between catching “something decent” and catching nothing or 6″ Perch all day!

You can get a used auger for $30, get an old used tent for $25 and cut the floor out, buy a Mr. Heater for $80-$100, BUT having a functional flasher will be one of your most important tools, (in my opinion).

Why?

1.) It gives you depth readings so you can find the exact place where drop-offs & lake structure are located, (in some cases you can be 6 FT off of a drop-off or a school of fish and you won’t get a bite).

#2.) In “real time” you can watch your ice-jig and entice fish by actually jigging and watching fish hit, (in most cases you can watch fish hit your jig and know when to strike them).

#3.) Being able to see “thermoclines” is very important in ice fishing. Usually fish hover around the thermocline, if you have a Vexilar you can know exactly where (and at what depth) to drop your jig or jig/minnow.

Electronics are important when fishing “soft water” but when your ice fishing it is imperitive. When the water is 26 degrees and the fish move like they are in syrup you need all the help you can get to catch them! And Vexilars are super easy to read & operate; drop the puck in the hole and turn it on!

If you don’t get a flasher then you better know the lake your fishing, or be an excellent lake map reader! Or you can use the old “Swede” method of clipping on a 1 OZ weight to your line to find out the depth. This works, but only gives you the depth.

5.) Rods & Reels- Ugly Stik makes a great Ice fishing rod, (esp for bait fishing). If your going to do some Ice-jigging for Panfish/Walleye get a rod with a sensitive tip. Lines OVER the diameter of 4LB-6LB mono are too heavy, (unless your fishing giant Lakers and then you could go as high as 8-10LB diameter). A 3-4LB braided line is perfect. Try Berkley Fireline and Power Pro in the 3-4LB range.

Baits- Yellow Ice float, split shot, hook is a good standard rig. You can also use an ice jig/minnow combo or an Ice Fly. The Rapala Ice Jig is popular.

Minnows- (Fathead & Crappie)- used for Crappie, Walleye, Pike.

Red Wigglers, Meal Worms, Maggots, Earthworms- Bluegill, Crappie.

Shiners- Walleye & Pike

Hope this helps ya? Good luck on your first trip!

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