Ice Fishing Gear

 

Ice fishing is far more popular than you might think. A good ice fisherman certainly faces a more challenging time than the average angler setting up riverside on a hot summer’s day however and there are several extra items that qualify as strictly ice fishing gear and should be added to the successful ice fisherman’s tool or tackle box.

 

One essential piece of ice fishing gear is the ice auger. This is the small tool that will allow you to drill your basic fishing holes into the frozen water quickly and efficiently. A good fishing hole should be less than 12 inches in diameter for the best results. A skimmer is another good tool for use around the fishing hole. It looks a lot like s soup ladle and is used for scooping ice chips and slush from your fishing hole.

 

 

A “tip up” is a nifty little piece of ice fishing gear that might prove very useful on truly freezing days at the fishing hole. This little gadget has a small flag that “tips” when a fish actually hits the line, allowing you to step into shelter to warm up for a few minutes without missing a potential catch.

 

Shelter can be very important on ice fishing trips. Portable shelters that are lightweight and easy to carry make a great addition to your ice fishing gear collection, and can often be rented for the day, or found at quality used fishing gear stores quite cheaply, making them a good investment.