Getting ready to go ice fishing

 Getting ready to go ice fishing

A lot of people only know fishing as a summertime activity at the lake. Fall opens up a whole new world of fishing, as any dedicated fisherman can tell you. An amazing winter pastime and a great way to spend quality time with loved ones is ice fishing. It's entertaining, simple, and inexpensive. The following is a primer on ice fishing in the dead of winter:

Wrap up warmly, even more so than normal. Since ice fishing is done in the open, winds will be audible and may affect how comfortable it is. Since it is simpler to cool down than to warm up, it is preferable to have to remove layers than to not have enough under a windproof garment. You might be able to shed some layers and ditch the coat if the weather is mild and there's no breeze.

Wearing sturdy, waterproof gloves and boots is a smart move. It is also OK to have an extra pair of gloves on hand. It is essential to wear a hat and a neck warmer. Additionally, be cautious about sunburn; the combination of snow and ice reflecting the sun's rays can be rather painful. If you want to protect your eyes from the sun and snow, sunglasses are a must.

Ice fishing does not require a lot of gear. You can get drilled holes, lines, and bait from an outfitter if you go with them. You should try ice fishing a few times to determine if it's something you truly enjoy before going out to buy equipment, even though many people do so for convenience's sake. Here is what you'll need in the event that you opt to purchase your own ice-fishing gear:

Your primary investment should go into purchasing an ice auger. You can get gas-powered ones for roughly $300 or hand-cranked ones for around $100. Although hand-cranked machines are appealing to those on a tighter budget, they need a fair amount of physical strength and endurance to operate and may be rather exhausting.

It will also be challenging to open several holes quickly. Though smaller variants are introduced annually, gas-powered ones are more convenient and swift, effortlessly slicing through ice. However, they can be cumbersome to use due to their weight.

Next to the ice auger, you'll also require lines. Models that use rods and reels are more complex than the typical stick models. Either model may be jigged by hand to bring in fish, or it can be attached to the snow or hung on a rack to avoid manual attention. A fishing line is not going to break the bank, especially since entry-level ones cost less than $10. The results are unaffected by the frills and symbols of more expensive devices.

The remaining accessories are readily available, inexpensive (around $10 each), and simple to get. Here are the items you'll need: a bucket to store your bait (often live minnows), a net to scoop with, an ice spoon to scoop out slush from holes when they begin to freeze, and an extra bucket to use as a seat if needed. Since putting minnows on hooks typically involves bare hands in cold weather, little heating pads stuffed into mitts or pockets might help keep fingers warm.

A meal, some snacks, and a drink should be in your daypack before you set out on your adventure. Being outside will make you feel much more peckish than normal. Stay away from alcoholic beverages; it's easy to have a few too many in the chilly air and not realize it until it's too late. Furthermore, it is more difficult to maintain a comfortable core temperature after drinking alcohol.

Verify if it is safe to drive or walk on the ice. Check for water or other unusual spots as you measure the thickness. For safe footing, a thickness of six inches is ideal for the ice. Wait until the ice is at least 10 inches thick before attempting to drive a car upon it.

Because ice is malleable and vehicle weight creates an air bubble in front of the vehicle, speeding on ice is never a good idea, regardless of thickness. If a car is going too fast, it can pop an air bubble. The ice might readily crack under your car because there is no water to provide support. 

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