Going fishing on a frozen body of water is an Outdoor activity that can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of age. Unlike other Winter sports, it's cheap to get fixed up and with just a little bit of knowledge, a beginning fisherman can have an excellent chance at success their first trip at the fishing hole. But what does a Newbie need start ice fishing? There are many options in fishing gear available today, First Timer could easily lay out 100's of their hard earned money on ice fishing equipment and still wonder if they have all they need.
Have no fear my friend. I whipped up this list of the basic tackle and gear that you'll need to get started ice fishing. The nice thing about this Sport is that you can get started for less than a hundred dollars in most cases. Before you can even get a hook wet, you'll have to figure out how to get a hole in the ice. Enter the ice auger. For Panfish, you'll need a five to six inch auger. For larger species such as Pike and Walley, you'll want to get an eight to ten inch ice auger. If you really want to go cheap and don't mind a little hard work, get the manual ice auger, otherwise you might want to spend a little extra and get a power auger.
Next on the list will be your rod and reel. Some ice fishermen use what they call a tip up, others use short rods and reels. Others use a combination of both. If you really want to increase the chances of bringing home fish, drill multiple holes in the ice and use tip ups while fishing at one with a rod and reel.
One crucial element of your fishing equipment you should not take lightly is your fishing line. Normal fishing line becomes brittle and will break easily in the frigid weather. You'll want to get fishing line that is meant for ice fishing. There are several on the market and your local bait store or Sporting Goods store should have a good selection.
For bait, you can buy mealworms, spikes or nightcrawlers for panfish. For bigger fish, you may want to use minnows or artificial lures like tear drop jigs or jigging spoons. It's best to take a variety since you never know what the fish will want once you get out on the ice.
Standing long hours on the lake waiting for fish to bite can get old. Make sure you bring along something to sit on or to wait out the fish. Some people bring lawn chairs while others use a simple five gallon bucket. If you have the funds and really want to get fancy, then a small heated hut can really spoil you!
And that is all you really need to get started ice fishing. It's a simple Sport that doesn't require a huge output of cash to be successful. Just follow the regulations for your area and become familiar with safety rules of ice fishing before leaving to get out on the ice. Have fun and don't be afraid of being sociable on the ice. You might be surprised to find out that ice fishermen like to hang out and shoot the breeze a little. Just don't crowd other fishermen when fishing!

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Article Submitted By: BartQ.Simonez
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