Getting Ready for First Ice

Getting Ready for First Ice

By Ben Leal

As the weather begins to cool and temperatures start dipping to freezing and below, every ice angler out there thinks, “It’s time for some ice fishing!”

Before you grab your rod bag and ice shack, pull the ole ice fishing suit out (to see if it still fits), and look for your electronics, there are things we need to do first. Well, at least, we should do it first.

Safety First
The first thing on any angler’s mind should always be safety. What must I do to ensure I enjoy my time out on the ice? More importantly, what must I do to ensure I get home safely?

Safety equipment for ice fishing has come a very long way since even my early years of ice fishing. I started out sitting on a bucket with what I thought were well-insulated shoes and coveralls. I never considered what I would do had I found some thin or weak ice. Given what I was wearing, the outcome would not have been good.

Fast forward twenty years or more, and we have ice fishing suits that not only keep you warm but keep you afloat should you go through the ice. Add a pair of ice picks, and you can crawl your way out of the ice.

Staying on your feet is important too! A bad slip and fall on the ice can cause any number of injuries: fractured arms, wrists, or legs. Or worse, knock yourself out and end up with a concussion. Having a pair of ice spikes for your boots remedies that possibility rather quickly.

Having a floatation device and a throw rope to help others in case they go through. Other things to consider are ensuring someone knows where you’re going and when you plan to return. Check in and out with them for both your peace of mind and theirs. Remember, there is no such thing as safe ice…and safety should always be number one on your checklist.

Equipment Check
As we all know, the ice fishing season can be short, and depending on the year, it can be shorter than we’d like. So, that gear has been stored for at least eight to nine months. Most rods, like mine, are stored in a rod locker, neatly placed from the last outing. And, in my case, they still have baits tied to them and ready to go on a moment’s notice. One of the first things you should check is your fishing line. It can get brittle and, believe it or not, develop some dry rot conditions and snap as soon as you pull on that jig. Buy yourself some new spools of ice fishing line.

Here’s a quick tip from the godfather of ice fishing, Dave Genz: “You don’t need to completely empty the spool. We typically fish in water no deeper than 25 or 30 feet while we’re chasing panfish. Replace the first 40 feet or so and use the rest as backing like you do on a fly reel.” To say the least, you’ll save yourself some money by doing so.

If you haven’t had your ice fishing electronics on a charger since the last time you used them, this would be a perfect time to charge them and make sure they work. You don’t want to be out on the ice for the first time only to have your flasher bail on you after just a few minutes. This is also a great time to pull the ole ice shack out and make sure it’s in good working condition.

Knock out the cobwebs and do some fall cleaning. If you’re like me, having a heater in the shack is a must, so take time to fire that thing up and make sure it works as well. Having spare fuel on hand isn’t a bad idea either.

And, while it’s not the least on the list, you should check your ice fishing suit. The last thing you want to have is a big hole anywhere in the suit that would allow cold air and snow in. Check for any signs of wear and tear, such as frayed seams or worn-out insulation. These can get worn out, and while they are not the cheapest items we use during our ice adventures, they are worth keeping in good shape and, if needed, be replaced. Now…it’s time to go fishing!

The First Bite
The thrill of the first bite on the ice is an experience every angler looks forward to. To make the most of your first ice outing, here’s a quick tip and time saver. Ice tends to be typically pretty clear, so rather than punching a bunch of holes in search of fish, bring along a small bottle of water. Once you’ve found what you think will be a productive area, pour some water on the ice, set your sonar transducer on the ice in the water, and turn it on. The water acts as a conductor, and you can shoot right through the ice in search of active fish. Once you’ve found them, you punch one hole and start fishing! The anticipation of that first bite is what makes ice fishing so thrilling.

Typically, early ice panfish are going to be shallow as long as there are green weeds. That’s where you should search for first early ice panfish. Bluegills more than likely have been migrating toward shallower water since the dog days of summer came to an end. Cooler water with good shallow weed beds is tolerable for bluegills. Right before ice up, they should be there en masse.

Crappie prefer water a bit cooler than bluegills but will soon follow as temperatures begin to drop. Along with the weed beds, especially if you’re looking for crappie, look for a feature with an inside turn of a hook or bend.

The fish are looking for cover and forage; first, ice is the best chance you have at finding standing weeds with active fish.

Tackle Tactics
For crappie and bluegill light lines, medium-light to ultra-light rod and reel combinations and small jigs are going to be the preferred methods of chasing after these fish. Short 26 to 28-inch ice rods will do the job very well. Early ice can be phenomenal at times, and fish can be aggressive. However, cold fronts will shut these fish down, and a rod with a sensitive tip that allows you to see the take is essential. Line in the 2 to 6-pound range will work; however, most ice anglers will max out at 4 pounds.

Early ice panfish are still trying to bulk up for winter, so they are HUNGRY! Use small jigging spoons tipped with maggots (spikes) or small hard baits for crappies, especially if they’re in that deeper water. You can also catch bluegills on the same jigging spoon rig that’s used for crappies, but a go-to bluegill bait is a mid-sized tungsten jig with a micro-plastic threaded on.

Extras
Edges are just as crucial for ice anglers as they are for deer hunters. Find a good edge, and you’ll find a concentration or a heavily used corridor. Other edges to consider are those with a “sticky bottom” and areas where the base of a break meets a mud flat. Transitions from bottom content to sand, mud to clay, sand to mud, and sometimes the edge can even be a shadow giving way to sunlight. These kinds of things can be paramount all season long, so take notice of them.

Remember to always take what you pack out on the ice with you. Too often, we see one-pound empty canisters of propane left on the ice. It’s everyone’s responsibility to take care of the resources we share…be a good steward. Tight Lines, All!