Ice Fishing Tips for First Timers......... - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

GetANet · #1 01-12-2015, 10:09 PM

Seems to me that there is decent interest in ice fishing this year by some of our members New and Previous so I figured that this might be a helpful and informative thread for them. Questions? Tips? Post em' up!!!!
First. I would read some of the previous posts regarding ice safety!!!!
Ice fishing is a great but not worth risking your life for!!!!

That being said I would like to give a Tip to help save you a few bucks on ice fishing equipment that was passed on to me by a fellow member and I thought it was a great tip!!!

When you transport your equipment onto the ice you need something to carry it with correct? Ice fishing requires some basic stuff and your not carrying it all by hand LOL!!!! Jetsleds are used by most hard core ice guys and are quality made products which should last many years if not abused but on the flip side they are quite pricey.
My tip is to go to a home improvement store and buy a large concrete tub, the kind you mix it in. Along with some rope and some washers. Drill two holes and insert the rope thru the side and then the washer and then tie a knot to hold it in place. There you have it a Generic Jetsled that one can make for less than 15.00!!!!
Adorn it with NJF stickers and your ready to roll!!!
Jetsleds usually run anywhere between 60 and 200 hundred bucks depending on the size and color with this tip you could make quite a few for that price!!!!

Jigman13 · #2 01-12-2015, 10:14 PM

Yes! I took his advice and followed suit. Budget sled for like $15 that holds my auger, tip ups, chair, backpack, cooler ,5 gallon bucket and more! It can also be modified to add a level with milk crate for even more storage if needed. Bungee everything down and roll on out!

GetANet · #3 01-12-2015, 10:18 PM

Yo don't be givin all my ideas up!!!!! Any one have any sled Mods to share also or any other tips such as..... Baits/ rigs/techniques/Locations of "A" lake to fish???
Let's hear em!!!!!

Jigman13 · #4 01-12-2015, 10:20 PM

Hahaha! It's a tip, isn't it?

gwl2oneida · #5 01-12-2015, 10:24 PM

No need to go crazy with gear like Dale stated. Start with yak tracks, bait bucket, and a 5 gallon bucket. In that bucket you can fit a jigging rod and 2 or 3 tip ups. Chances are you'll be out with guys that have augers and shelters. You can easily start out for less than $100.00 in gear. After the addiction sets in then you can go nuts.

GetANet · #6 01-12-2015, 10:38 PM

Good tip Seth. ANOTHER CHEAPY!!!! Ice creepers, buy a small section of chain similar to the kind that comes on swing sets and a pair of shoe laces or thin rope also. You probably have some laying around the house. Cut a 6 inch section and fold it in half then place under your boot just in front of the heel and then fasten to your boot with the shoestring or rope. Cheap and effective!!!
Until you decide you want to do it all the time and then buy some nice creepers!

Also a good tip for you expereinced guys in case you break a creeper in a pinch!!! Keep it in your truck or glove box!!!

NJSquatch · #7 01-13-2015, 07:57 AM

I would recommend getting a pair of ice picks just in case the unthinkable happens and you go through the ice. <$10 is definitely worth your life

NJSquatch · #8 01-13-2015, 07:59 AM

Also check out the NJ Ice Shanty Board for information

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php#c17

bunker dunker · #9 01-13-2015, 10:56 AM

"never assume "would be my tip to 1st timers.this gose with the ice thickness,gear,bait and what ever else you are bringing.double check that you have all that you will need,it takes 2 minutes and could not only make your trip a good one but could save your life.

briansnat · #10 01-13-2015, 11:14 AM

I made a ice fishing sled using a pair of old skis, a little plywood and a milk crate. ( Seen at the beginning of this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vac0G1TOovE )

It served me well over the years, but had one flaw. It was narrow and if the snow on the ice was deep, one ski would fall into my footprints the sled would tip over. It was only an issue in deep snow. Anyway I bought a Jet Sled Jr. It was only around $30 and gave my old sled to someone on IceShanty. If I were ever to make another one I'd make it wider which would solve the tipping issue in deep snow.