Ice Fishing Gear

[mackkie]

Anyone have suggestions, or luck with different ice fishing lures, or jig pole setups?

I was thinking of trying the Frabill Bro Series MH combo for pike fishing in Maine, does anyone have a review on this combo?

[Sam]

Coach Saban from Alabama and Coach Miles from LSU were in an ice fishing tournament last winter.

They were sent out to see who could catch the most fish.

First day, Coach Saban got skunked while Coach Miles nailed 20.

The second day, Coach Saban got skunked while Coach Miles nailed 40.

The third day, Coach Saban followed Coach Saban to see what he was doing and at the final weigh-in Coach Saban accused Coach Miles of cheating.

The reason Coach Saban gave to disqualify Coach miles was, "He is cutting a hole in the ice."

So all I can give you, being from Louisiana and living in Virgina, is to cut a hole in the ice.  Either via the Louisiana way with dynamite or the Virginia way by sitting on the pond and drinking wine until the pond melts.

Sorry, but Happy New Year!!!  ;D   ;D   ;D

[Gone_Phishin]

I have not fished that specific combo, but MH is the way to go for pike. Salmo Chubby Darters are a killer jigging lure; jigging spoons too, something like the Swedish Pimple. Try tipping the jigging spoons with big minnow, shiner, or golden roach heads.

My favorite rig for pike is a big ol' stinky dead smelt on a tip-up.  Frabill makes my favorite tip-up.  Check out the polar model.

Do you plan on panfishing at all?

[mackkie]

I've never been specifically out for panfish, but love eating a few crappie, perch, etc.  What would you suggest for methods pan fishing, I have a ultra jigging rod, but don't have any electronics for the ice, what would you suggest?

[Gone_Phishin]

For electronics a Vexilar and/or underwater camera are tuff to beat.  An UL rod is the way to go for panfish, as is 2 lb test.  Check these guys out for jigs: http://www.customjigsandspins.com/index.html  

The Rat Finkee, and Nuclear Ants are staples in these parts.  Also check out the Rocker and Demon jigs.  Any of the jigging spoons that look hot will work.  Don't forget to pick-up some finesse plastics.  Both Customs and this place make great ones: http://www.isgfishing.com/acatalog/Online_Catalog_Panfish_Products_29.html

The Northland Airplane jig is another hot item.  Other hot jigs and spoons are: the Lindy Genz Worm; the Lindy Genz Bug; the Lindy Rattl'n Flyer Spoon; the Lindy Fat Boy jig; and the Northland Forage Minnow jig and spoon.  That'll be a great start for a jig arsenal.

Here are two more links to quality ice jigs:http://www.baddoglures.com/

http://www.jamminjigs.com/

[mackkie]

Ever use the buckshot dropper spoon from Northland?  That thing crushes panfish, and I've caught a number of pike on it as well, with some bass sprinkled in.

[Gone_Phishin]

You bet, the perch eat the he** outta that thing.

[E-3 FE]

I had a buddy that wanted me to go ice fishing with him. We got to the lake, I looked at it, and said he** no. It would have taken me at least 2 hours to cut a hole big enough to fit my boat, that is before I even start fishing! ;D ;D ;D ;D

[CWB]

I use 2 custom made Rembrandt rods I bought at the Chicago fishing expo held every winter. I couple them with 2 tiny Zebco underspin reels

that I don't think are made anymore. 1 has 2 lb. line for panfish and 1 has 4lb. for walleye, white bass etc. with my favorite lure, the 1/8 oz. Rapala jigging rap. Turn on my trusty FL-8 and cut lots and lots of holes. have caught many large bass and walleye toward the end of ice season off the deep weedlines nearest shallow spawning bays, not to mention some pig pike and musky, all on tip-ups. For you guys down south, this must sound strange nut once you try it you're hooked!