What do I need?

[BigFish]

I am completely new to ice fishing, I have a friend that wants to take me out soon.

What sort of equipment should I be buying?
I don't want to overspend but I want the basics.

Any help appreciated :)

[Schoe]

Bigfish, you have given me an idea for a drawing . I have a bucket full of ice fishing equipment and a hand auger that I will put up for a prize in a drawing. I will post more on this later. Schoe

[Illinoisgiller]

Ice auger, ice poles & jigs. Wax worms and 5 gal. bucket to sit on and carry gear. PLEASE DO NOT GO ALONE THE FIRST TRIP.
Seriously, Ice fishing is fun, but take it serious. A friend lived to tell me that the ice has a real weird look to it when viewed from underneith it . ;)

If you are close, (West central IL) I'll take you out.
Also note that ice fishing can become addictive. I've got all the toys.:D

[gofish]

bigfish heres a list for you; ice picks
rope safety first!
6 to 8 inch auger i suggest the 8
ice rods i use rods with spinning reels myself
2 to 6 lb test
ice jigs
skimmer (for cleaning out your holes)
5 gallon bucket
spud bar
extra gloves
these are the essentials. i wear neoprene waders, they cut the wind but i also icefish ponds that have a lot of springs and even though i know where most of them are i still go thru every year.(mostly in shallow water) if the ice isnt 4 inches or better DONT get on it.clear ice is strongest and snowy or cloudy ice weakest. be safe! ive pulled 3 people out in the last 5 years because i had the picks and rope. ok im done preaching about safety.lol ice jigs for bluegill will normally have a size 12 to 8 hook. i prefer the bigger.crappie and walleye will be a 10 to4. janns netcraft has a real good deal on ice jigs i also buy a lot from jamminjigs theyre really good people there and quality also. for crappie i use custum jigs and spins ratsos in the biggest size. they work so well i dont ever use minnows anymore. hope this helps a little. have fun and be safe.(there i go again)lol

[Screen]

I wear my life jacket - in one pocket I have my ice picks and in the other 50' of light weight nylon rope -

Last year my wife came home with 200' of climbers rope and wanted me to ties one end to a tree and the other to me - LOL

My son-in-law and daughter bought a house last fall and when they moved in, in the basement was a two man ice hut (new), Colmen heater, new 8" augger, and 4 five gallon buckets full of everything else a fisherman would need - he contacted the previous owner and he said "what do I need that stuff in Texas for - couldn't sell it so I hoped you would get some use out of it" - Little did he know Bryan lives on the water and ice!

[Schoe]

I would say that's a pretty nice find. Schoe

[FisherBuddy]

BigFish, when you get to go I hope you'll come back and tell us all about it. We don't live close enough to go, but we've been contemplating a trip to Alaska and I'd like to include a guided fishing trip there. Any input would be welcome!

[Environmentor]

Hey as far as equipment goes, since your buddy wants to take you, he probably has alot of the equipment you need. Maybe he can let you use his auger and everything. Who knows, he may even have a pole and icejigs for you, too. It would be a waste to spend all the money to buy the equipment, and then "HATE" icefishing. For example, I have been out icefishing a few times. The slow action isn't worth the cold in my opinion. I prefer the spring and summer when you can really hammer the fish! Anyway, it's just like any other part of fishing. If people want to advance the sport (in this case ice fishing) then they have to teach friends and families whom have never done it. Also, they should be inclined to use "their" gear, so the newbie doesn't feel they have to make a big investment (in this case, ice fishing gear).

[Schoe]

Fisherbuddy,
Keep your eye out on this site as we are in the beginning stages of putting together a group trip for Halibut and Salmon. The way it is looking the trip will take place in 2007 but we will have a drawing for one of our members to go along with WIF paying for their air fare and fishing costs.

There is the Florida Catfish Classic which will take place this Sept. where the Lucky member will be randomly drawn from the members that indicate they would like to go. I will be posting more on this later.

One requirement for entry is to have your profile filled out and have a picture there also. I wasn't going to start this contest untill after April 1st but I may do it earlier so keep your eye on things. Schoe

[CavScout]

Now is the time to buy your ice gear at Farm and Fleet in Moline. 25-50% off everything that they got. Can pick up a nice rod for under $10. If it is your first time I will go with Environmentor in that your buddy probably has most of the stuff that you need. Most of us water walkers have a bucket to sit on and one full of rods. As far as the "slow action " that Environmentor talks about that is just how it goes sometimes no matter what time of the year you fish. I was lucky(?) in that the first time I went Ice fishing I could not keep them off my jig. Been hooke since then.

[Schoe]

When I get home in April I will have a post where members can respond to if they want it. Then we will draw a name out a name in the presence of some other members to keep everything on the up and up. A good time to draw the name will be when a few of us members will be at Ky. Lake
I tell you what, I will do it either tonight or tomorrow and get it posted so we can get started. Watch for the Contests and Drawing thread. Schoe

[BigFish]

BigFish, when you get to go I hope you'll come back and tell us all about it. We don't live close enough to go, but we've been contemplating a trip to Alaska and I'd like to include a guided fishing trip there. Any input would be welcome!

I will, no doubt.
Im sure I'll be full of stories and mishaps ;)

Thanks all for the advice, Im overwhelmed by all the responses here and am planning to print this thread out for my own use :)

[FisherBuddy]

Schoe, Sounds great! I'll definitely keep my eye out. We're looking at 2007 or possibly 2008 if our trip to Hot Springs, AK goes through. We're into Rock Crawling too. :-)

[wewamohawk]

schoe i hope you two are having a good trip home we are thinking of you guys i also will be looking for ice fishing stuff give away good luck from both of us

[capt.kirk]

THE BOSS MAN, SCHOE SHOULD ME ARRIVING HOME BY MONDAY,
IT WONT TAKE HIM LONG TO GET SETTELED IN,AND GETTING NEW
PLANS IN PLACE FOR SOME NEW THINGS FOR OUR WIF FAMILY.:cool:
KIRK