When you’re stressed from school, traveling can be a great way to relieve stress and go to a different place to do something different.
In the winter, if you enjoy fishing and don’t mind being out in the cold, one thing you might want to consider doing is ice fishing. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the ice fishing essentials you need.
Winter Attire
When you’re ice fishing, you should have enough clothes on to stay warm. You don’t know what the conditions are going to be like on the lake, so you want to be prepared for anything.
Ice Fishing Rods and Line
You don’t need to be as precise with casting when you ice fish, so the type of rod you use is going to be different. Ice fishing rods have a shorter and smaller radius, which allows you to feel every bite you get.
Ice fishing also requires a different type of line. Ice fishing lines are braided and thicker, so they can be pulled hand over hand if necessary while you fight with your catch. They also withstand extreme cold temperatures better. If you’re needing ice fishing rods and lines, Tailored Tackle is your trusted resource for those needs.
Ice Auger
When you ice fish, you have to drill a hole in the ice to cast your line. You do this with an ice auger. There are a few different types of augers. You can get an automatic gas-powered auger, or a hand auger. The type of auger you choose depends on how often you plan to ice fish and how much you can afford to spend.
Safety Equipment
Ice fishing holds a lot of the same risks as regular fishing. However, you should still bring some safety equipment with you. This includes:
- A life vest
- A tape measure so you can measure how thick the ice is. Depending on your level of proficiency, you may not want to fish if the ice is less than 4 inches thick. If it’s 4 to 6 inches thick, fish carefully and check the thickness regularly. If it’s 6 to 8 inches thick, it’s safe for you and many others to ice fish. If it’s 8 or more inches thick, it’s safe to drive on with a vehicle.
If you’re ice fishing for the first time, go with someone who knows what they’re doing so they can show you what to do, and let them know if you go anywhere.
Buckets and Sleds
The easiest way to travel on the ice with your gear is to pull your tackle box and rods in a sled. You don’t want to carry everything by hand because you never know how far you’ll have to go.
Use buckets to store your gear, the fish you catch, and as a seat when you’re fishing. Make sure the buckets have lids so you can sit on them with the fish inside.
Fishing License
Check your state’s requirements to find out what the guidelines are for catching and keeping certain types of fish, and times of the year when you must release your catch. Make sure you know the rules so you don’t get fined.
Heat
It’s nice to have some kind of heat source. You could use a gas heater or a pair of hand warmers you use to keep your hands and fingers nimble. If you start to get cold, having some way to keep your hands warm could make your trip longer and make the experience a little more enjoyable.
These are just a few ice fishing essentials you need. When choosing which essentials you want to bring with you, remember to think about how much ice fishing you plan to do, how experienced you are, and how much you want to spend on ice fishing gear. Having the right ice fishing essentials will make your ice fishing trip much more enjoyable.
