Merry Christmas
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and are able to spend some time with friends, family, and loved ones this holiday season. That and hopefully, you are able to hit an frozen lake or two!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Merry Christmas
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and are able to spend some time with friends, family, and loved ones this holiday season. That and hopefully, you are able to hit an frozen lake or two!
Monday, December 2, 2013
Central Iowa Ice Report 11-28 to 11-30-2013
Thursday 11-28-13
Fished a pond in Polk county with my brother in law. 1 acre in size and maxes out at 18' in the basin. Old ice from Saturday was 2.5" and new ice was up to 2.25". Fished for a couple of hours in the morning and we only managed one bass in that time. We could only get out to 11' and the water is gin clear so fishing was tough and the bass was the only fish we marked that morning. The bass came on an eighth ounce Custom Jigs & Spins Slender Spoon (Gold/Glow) tipped with wax worms on each treble.
Friday 11-29-13
Checked six ponds between Polk and Jasper County with a good friend.
Pond One: (5-10 acres and deeper) Skim ice along the edges which had probably frozen that night.
Pond Two: (1/4 acres and maxed out at 7') 3-3.5" of good solid ice. Fished and marked a few but were spooky fish due to water clarity and didn't catch anything.
Pond Three: (1/2 acre and maxed out at 15') 1-1.5" of ice. Really surprised as this is usually an early ice pond due to it's protection from the wind.
Pond Four: (1-2 acres and maxed out at 18') Old ice was 2.5" and new ice was 2". Really surprised it had that much ice, even though it started to freeze on Saturday and completely locked up on Saturday night/Sunday morning.
Pond Five: (1/4 acre and maxed out at 12') Ice was 3.5" but had a little honeycombing due to snow melt. Caught a mixture of crappie, gills, and bass. Missed a nice crappie (10-12") right at the hole, otherwise most of the fish were smaller. Largest bass was around 13-14". Clam Maki Plastic - Maki in glow produced many of the fish.
Pond Six: (1-1.5 acres and maxed out at 18') Ice was a solid 4" with no honeycombing. We were really surprised as this pond is not protected from the wind at all and was pretty deep. Caught crappie, gills, and bass. Nothing real big, best crappies were 9.5". Clam Maki Plastic - Maki in glow caught the vast majority of the fish for me and my buddy was having success with other plastics as well.
Saturday 11-30-13
Fished a pond in Dallas County with my brother in law. 1/2 acre in size and maxes out around 15' in the basin. 3-3.5" of good ice but that rapidly started to deteriorate around mid morning and we left. Caught bluegill and bass. A few of the gills were really nice and over 9", bass were mostly small except for one 14" fish. The fish would not touch any plastics this morning and the best approach was to use wax worms with a more aggressive presentation. Pounding the bottom with an eighth ounce Clam Bomb Spoon tipped with wax worms on each treble worked best for the larger gills.
It was nice to "scratch the itch", but I'm excited to hit some lakes/ponds which offer better fishing!
****Please be cautious with this early ice. I would highly suggest anglers in central and southern Iowa stay off the ice until this weekend AT THE EARLIEST. There isn't enough ice to sustain these warm temperatures and remain stable enough to fish on.****
Fished a pond in Polk county with my brother in law. 1 acre in size and maxes out at 18' in the basin. Old ice from Saturday was 2.5" and new ice was up to 2.25". Fished for a couple of hours in the morning and we only managed one bass in that time. We could only get out to 11' and the water is gin clear so fishing was tough and the bass was the only fish we marked that morning. The bass came on an eighth ounce Custom Jigs & Spins Slender Spoon (Gold/Glow) tipped with wax worms on each treble.
 |
| First fish of the season |
Checked six ponds between Polk and Jasper County with a good friend.
Pond One: (5-10 acres and deeper) Skim ice along the edges which had probably frozen that night.
Pond Two: (1/4 acres and maxed out at 7') 3-3.5" of good solid ice. Fished and marked a few but were spooky fish due to water clarity and didn't catch anything.
Pond Three: (1/2 acre and maxed out at 15') 1-1.5" of ice. Really surprised as this is usually an early ice pond due to it's protection from the wind.
Pond Four: (1-2 acres and maxed out at 18') Old ice was 2.5" and new ice was 2". Really surprised it had that much ice, even though it started to freeze on Saturday and completely locked up on Saturday night/Sunday morning.
Pond Five: (1/4 acre and maxed out at 12') Ice was 3.5" but had a little honeycombing due to snow melt. Caught a mixture of crappie, gills, and bass. Missed a nice crappie (10-12") right at the hole, otherwise most of the fish were smaller. Largest bass was around 13-14". Clam Maki Plastic - Maki in glow produced many of the fish.
Pond Six: (1-1.5 acres and maxed out at 18') Ice was a solid 4" with no honeycombing. We were really surprised as this pond is not protected from the wind at all and was pretty deep. Caught crappie, gills, and bass. Nothing real big, best crappies were 9.5". Clam Maki Plastic - Maki in glow caught the vast majority of the fish for me and my buddy was having success with other plastics as well.
Saturday 11-30-13
Fished a pond in Dallas County with my brother in law. 1/2 acre in size and maxes out around 15' in the basin. 3-3.5" of good ice but that rapidly started to deteriorate around mid morning and we left. Caught bluegill and bass. A few of the gills were really nice and over 9", bass were mostly small except for one 14" fish. The fish would not touch any plastics this morning and the best approach was to use wax worms with a more aggressive presentation. Pounding the bottom with an eighth ounce Clam Bomb Spoon tipped with wax worms on each treble worked best for the larger gills.
 |
| One of the better gills from the morning |
It was nice to "scratch the itch", but I'm excited to hit some lakes/ponds which offer better fishing!
****Please be cautious with this early ice. I would highly suggest anglers in central and southern Iowa stay off the ice until this weekend AT THE EARLIEST. There isn't enough ice to sustain these warm temperatures and remain stable enough to fish on.****
Friday, November 22, 2013
DIY ATV Rod Caddy
More anglers are starting to use motorized forms of transportation, whether that be snowmobiles, ATVs, or UTVs, on the ice during winter. It is a practical approach towards covering more water and effectively targeting various pods of fish.
Some anglers have adapted their sleds and ATVs so that they will allow for even more mobility on the ice. I found myself fishing last winter with a more "run and gun" approach with my ATV and it really enhanced my success on the ice. Rarely did I fish inside of my ice shack last winter, but I had it readily available on the back of my ATV if needed.
With speed and efficiency in mind, this fall I decided to retrofit my ATV with a system which allowed me to keep my ice fishing rods close at hand and ready to fish once I arrived at my destination. One complaint I had last winter was the time it took to take my rods in and out of my Clam rod locker inside my shack. The Clam rod locker did an excellent job of protecting my rods and the one time I did not put a rod in the Clam rod locker between spots, I bent an eyelet on that rod. So in my quest for more efficiency, I opted to incorporate another system on my ATV this fall. I also wanted a system which would secure the rods and not just have them thrown into the bucket. It would limit the amount of tangled rods and the rods would be more secure during transit.
So, I grabbed a spare five gallon bucket I had lying around and took off the handle. I bought some metal tool clamps and secured them on the inside of the bucket with stainless steel hardware. I glued some open cell foam, with a notch for my rod blank to rest in, above the tool clamp inside the bucket. I then attached my bucket holder to the back rack of my ATV with the Moose Utilities quick release mount and Moose Utilities QR bucket holder. I opted to place the bucket holder on the side of my rear rack as I already have my Clam one man shack mounted off the back of my ATV.
I look forward to testing out this design on the ice this winter and see if there are any improvements I can make or just scrap the whole idea if it is not going to work. One thing I have found is that if you are using spinning reels, the most you would be able to fit in this configuration is four reels. There is just not enough room in the bucket for any more than that. As you see in the picture below, I was able to fit five fly reels in the bucket, but it was pretty tight.
Some anglers have adapted their sleds and ATVs so that they will allow for even more mobility on the ice. I found myself fishing last winter with a more "run and gun" approach with my ATV and it really enhanced my success on the ice. Rarely did I fish inside of my ice shack last winter, but I had it readily available on the back of my ATV if needed.
With speed and efficiency in mind, this fall I decided to retrofit my ATV with a system which allowed me to keep my ice fishing rods close at hand and ready to fish once I arrived at my destination. One complaint I had last winter was the time it took to take my rods in and out of my Clam rod locker inside my shack. The Clam rod locker did an excellent job of protecting my rods and the one time I did not put a rod in the Clam rod locker between spots, I bent an eyelet on that rod. So in my quest for more efficiency, I opted to incorporate another system on my ATV this fall. I also wanted a system which would secure the rods and not just have them thrown into the bucket. It would limit the amount of tangled rods and the rods would be more secure during transit.
So, I grabbed a spare five gallon bucket I had lying around and took off the handle. I bought some metal tool clamps and secured them on the inside of the bucket with stainless steel hardware. I glued some open cell foam, with a notch for my rod blank to rest in, above the tool clamp inside the bucket. I then attached my bucket holder to the back rack of my ATV with the Moose Utilities quick release mount and Moose Utilities QR bucket holder. I opted to place the bucket holder on the side of my rear rack as I already have my Clam one man shack mounted off the back of my ATV.
I look forward to testing out this design on the ice this winter and see if there are any improvements I can make or just scrap the whole idea if it is not going to work. One thing I have found is that if you are using spinning reels, the most you would be able to fit in this configuration is four reels. There is just not enough room in the bucket for any more than that. As you see in the picture below, I was able to fit five fly reels in the bucket, but it was pretty tight.
 |
| View of the inside of the rod caddy |
 |
| Bucket Holder Mounted toATV |
Monday, October 28, 2013
Lightening the Load
One area of the on ice experience, which is often over looked, is powering your equipment. For many years, the stock standard 12 volt 7-9 amp, sealed lead acid batteries have been the mainstay of powering our electronics, lighting, and other various electronic needs. They are generally reliable, cost effective, and have a decent shelf life. The downside of SLA batteries are their weight. They also are not environmentally friendly, and you have to maintain the batteries when not in use.
Hitting the ice scene last season was an alternative to SLA batteries and they came in the form of lithium powered batteries. Many folks are familiar with lithium batteries as they power many cordless tools, most laptops, personal devices, and various other powered items. While lithium batteries have been around for a number of years, they have not really taken hold of the ice fishing market yet.
Below I have broken down some of the pros and cons of lithium batteries versus sealed lead acid batteries; hopefully this will help those who are thinking of making the switch to lithium or sticking with the standard SLA batteries.
Lithium Batteries
- Cost anywhere from $100-$275 for a 12 volt 7-10ah battery plus charger
- Quick recharge time: Approximately 2 hours
- Around 2,000-3,000 recharge cycles
- No need to maintain batteries; lose approximately 2% power each year if not used
- Approximately half the weight of a SLA 12 volt 7-9ah battery
- Battery does not sulfate
- Come in either Lithium Ion or Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries
- Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries are ecologically friendly
- Not many manufacturers currently
- Cost of ownership is less than a SLA over the life of the battery
- Cost anywhere from $15-$40 for a 12 volt 7-9ah battery
- Complete charge can take many hours
- Around 500 recharge cycles
- Need to maintain batteries during non-use
- Twice as heavy as a lithium battery
- SLA batteries are not ecologically friendly
- Battery can sulfate
- Have been around for a very long time and are easy to find
One confusing aspect of lithium batteries is that there are more than just one chemistry. Three of the more popular chemistries, in reference to ice fishing, are lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), lithium polymer, and lithium ion. Each chemistry has its pluses and minuses but all share the same benefits over SLA batteries (decreased weight, shorter charge time, longer duration between charges, no maintenance, etc).
As these lithium batteries become more popular and widespread, I imagine you will see more anglers using this power source. Only then will we see if the benefits of lithium batteries outweigh the up front cost. Until then, they certainly look promising on paper!
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
2013 - 2014 Clam Outdoors Catalog
Click HERE to view Clam's catalog for this up coming season. Clam has done it once again with their launching of many new, innovative products!
Monday, August 5, 2013
2013 - 2014 New Clam Outdoors Products
Below is a link to Clam Outdoors YouTube account. They have uploaded some videos of their new line of ice jigs. Check out the videos and be sure to stop back or subscribe to Clam's YouTube account to view more videos of other new products which will be releasing soon.
https://www.youtube.com/user/ClamIceFishing
https://www.youtube.com/user/ClamIceFishing
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Vexilar FLX-28 Flasher
PP28PV FLX-28 Pro Pack II with ProView Ice-Ducer
FLX-28 Pro Pack II with ProViw Ice-Ducer
The features found in the FLX-28 read like the
wish list of avid ice anglers starting with digital depth, Auto Range,
Two zoom zones, battery status, FIVE color palettes to select from for
maximum visibility, five foot depth range adjustments starting at 10
feet, Maximum range of 300, Day and Night display brightness settings,
Low power options for fishing in super shallow water, a unique Weed Mode
for better performance while fishing in weeds. And to top it all off,
the unit even has its own Demo mode so you can show non-Vexilar fans how
the system works with a lifelike fish catching simulation to watch.
There are more features to the FLX-28 series than ever before inside a single flasher sonar system. When fans of Vexilar say we could never improve the FL-8 that we introduced over 20 years ago, they were amazed when the FL-18 hit the ice in 2002. By the time the new flat screen FL-12 and 20 came out, Vexilar had established a new gold standard in flasher performance. Surely, Vexilar could not improve on this? Welcome to the age of the FLX series! A unique brushless data transfer design system allows for the creation of a breakthrough flasher display with digital depth and Auto Ranging technology. The features found in the FLX-28 read like the wish list of avid Ice Anglers starting with digital depth, Auto Range, Two zoom zones, FIVE color palettes to select from for maximum visibility, five foot depth range adjustments starting at 10 feet, Maximum range of 300, Day and Night display brightness settings, Low power options for fishing in super shallow water, a unique Weed Mode for better performance while fishing in weeds. And to top it all off, the unit even has its own Demo mode so you can show non-Vexilar fans how the system works with a lifelike fish catching simulation to watch. The FLX-28 is totally revolutionary in the world of winter flasher sonar technology. Vexilar has come a long way from the early FL-8, but Vexilar has never changed their commitment to deliver the very best sonar systems in the world for over 50 years. Performance, quality, innovation and reliability…
Welcome to the amazing FLX-28.
Vexilar’s most popular winter fishing system is the Pro Pack II. This system offers great performance features in a super durable case with a built-in gimbal bracket to support your flasher. Standard features include a rod holder, tackle box, universal transducer holder, cable holding cleats and a 12 Volt, 9 amp-hour battery with charger. The Pro Pack now also comes with the all new FL Digital Depth Indicator, giving you an easy-to read digital depth readout, plus the ability to check your battery level with the push of a button. The Pro Pack II has been designed to fit into a five gallon bucket, and has an optional soft pack carrying case available. The Pro Pack comes completely assembled, individually tested and ready to fish with. It also includes an instructional DVD.
There are more features to the FLX-28 series than ever before inside a single flasher sonar system. When fans of Vexilar say we could never improve the FL-8 that we introduced over 20 years ago, they were amazed when the FL-18 hit the ice in 2002. By the time the new flat screen FL-12 and 20 came out, Vexilar had established a new gold standard in flasher performance. Surely, Vexilar could not improve on this? Welcome to the age of the FLX series! A unique brushless data transfer design system allows for the creation of a breakthrough flasher display with digital depth and Auto Ranging technology. The features found in the FLX-28 read like the wish list of avid Ice Anglers starting with digital depth, Auto Range, Two zoom zones, FIVE color palettes to select from for maximum visibility, five foot depth range adjustments starting at 10 feet, Maximum range of 300, Day and Night display brightness settings, Low power options for fishing in super shallow water, a unique Weed Mode for better performance while fishing in weeds. And to top it all off, the unit even has its own Demo mode so you can show non-Vexilar fans how the system works with a lifelike fish catching simulation to watch. The FLX-28 is totally revolutionary in the world of winter flasher sonar technology. Vexilar has come a long way from the early FL-8, but Vexilar has never changed their commitment to deliver the very best sonar systems in the world for over 50 years. Performance, quality, innovation and reliability…
Welcome to the amazing FLX-28.
Vexilar’s most popular winter fishing system is the Pro Pack II. This system offers great performance features in a super durable case with a built-in gimbal bracket to support your flasher. Standard features include a rod holder, tackle box, universal transducer holder, cable holding cleats and a 12 Volt, 9 amp-hour battery with charger. The Pro Pack now also comes with the all new FL Digital Depth Indicator, giving you an easy-to read digital depth readout, plus the ability to check your battery level with the push of a button. The Pro Pack II has been designed to fit into a five gallon bucket, and has an optional soft pack carrying case available. The Pro Pack comes completely assembled, individually tested and ready to fish with. It also includes an instructional DVD.
Features
- Digital depth readout
- Battery voltage display and alerts
- 20 Interference rejection settings
- Brushless data transfer technology
- Auto range setting
- Special weed fishing mode
- Low power shallow water mode
- Five foot depth range settings in auto mode
- 300 foot max range
- 1/4" Target ID
- Two zoom zones
- Day/night mode
- Five color palette selection
- Industry leading 525 lines of resolution
- Soft pack carry case included
- Vexilar 12 volt, 9 amp-hour battery delivers long lasting power. Pack comes complete with charger.
- Two cable holding cleats.
- Adjustable rod holder with two possible mounting locations.
- The patented Ice-Ducer system is a self leveling transducer with float for accurate transducer positioning every time.
- Easy access to tackle box
- Pro Pack case fits inside a five gallon bucket.
- Pre-drilled holes for optional accessories
- Universal transducer holder (on the back)
- Two-year warranty (Pro-rated on battery)
Specifications
- Frequency: 200 kHz
- Power output: 400 watts peak-to-peak (50 watts RMS)
- Display resolution: 525 segments
- Current draw: 200 ma at 12V DC
- Dimensions: 4.4"H x 6"W x 2.5"D
- Depth Range: Maximum 300 feet
- Weight: 1.1 Lb.
- CE Certification: A001P100713005E
Friday, April 12, 2013
Reflections: 2012-2013
This time of year is always bittersweet for me. It concludes ice season
here in Iowa, but it also brings about the warmth of spring and influx
of outdoors activities. I find myself taking time to look back and
reflect on the highs and lows of the previous ice season.
The 2012-2013 ice season started off eerily similar to the previous year's season with a lack of ice in the state of Iowa. The roller coaster of emotions were certainly flowing as the prospects of putting in another 3,500 miles of travel, just in the state of Iowa to find good ice, didn't appeal to me again. Being a new father and spending that much time away from my family didn't seem too appealing either. Thankfully, with the support and understanding of my wife and family, I was able to fish 16 of the 19 weekends between the first weekend of December through the first weekend of April. With my career, I am only afforded the opportunity to fish Friday afternoon through Sunday; so fishing on the weekends is pretty much what I'm able to do.
My travels this season found me fishing in three different states (Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota). I also logged 43 trips on the ice to 21 different bodies of water; eight of which were new to me. I was very pleased with these figures as my total trips eclipsed last year's totals and I was able to fish some new bodies of water.
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| 16.02 Ounce Bluegill |
 |
| 1.01 Pound Bluegill |
 |
| 15.6 Ounce Bluegill |
 |
| 15.7 Ounce Bluegill |
I was also able to check two more species off my bucket list which I have never caught through the ice. I caught my first smallmouth bass on North Waubay Lake in South Dakota in early April. I was also rewarded with my first yellow bullhead on Rock Creek in late February. It's always exciting to add new species to the list of fish you have caught through the ice.
 |
| Gorgeous Smoothie! |
I also rejuvenated my love for catching walleye through the ice this past season. Walleyes and I don't keep the same hours and the lack of good walleye waters in my immediate area find me not taking the time to target them very often. It was a welcome change of pace towards the end of the season and I was rewarded with my personal best walleye through the ice.
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| Gorgeous 18" Big Creek Walleye |
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| 18" and 19" Oak Lake Walleyes |
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| New Personal Best Through the Ice (22" Oak Lake Walleye) |
So overall I would consider this past season to be one of the more memorable years I have had on the ice. I was able to complete some goals I had set for myself, fish some new waters, and spend time on the ice with good friends. I would like to thank my sponsors Clam Outdoors and Sportsmen's Direct for helping me achieve some of those goals; without their assistance, it would have been much more difficult.
With that said, that puts a wrap to another season. See you on the ice in December...
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Clam Outdoors Garage Sale
Dates: April 19-20, 2013
Location: 600 Clydesdale Trail, Medina, MN 55340
Hours: April 19th, 10 - 6 PM & April 20th, 10 -2 PM
Clam is inviting all of you, family and
friends to the Clam, “Back the Truck Up,” Spring Garage Sale on April
19-20, 2013 at our Medina, MN location. Items for sale will consist of
samples, returns, Clam shelters, Clam ice fishing accessories, IceArmor
clothing products, Polar Trailer products and Clam logo wear. Items will be sold “As Is” and there is no warranty.
Clam will accept cash, credit card and check for payment. Don’t miss
out on this great opportunity to purchase Clam products! Items will be
priced extremely low and you won’t find a better deal anywhere. There is no pre-selling of any items.
Please pass this on to your friends,
family and co-workers as this is a rare opportunity and we don't want
anyone to miss out on the great deals!
Items are marked to sell, sold "as is" and there is no price negotiation.
Meet former NFL Player, Jim Kleinsasser as he will be on hand Friday, April 19th
HUGE savings! Don't Miss Out!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
End of the Season: New Product Reviews Version 2.0
With the ice fishing season winding down and countless trips on the ice, it's time
to look back and reflect on some of the "new" products I used on the ice
this season. The "newness" has worn off, the price tag is no longer
hanging on the item, and it's broken in; let's see how everything
stacked up.
The Good
Thorne Brothers Custom Rods: While these might not be in the price range for some anglers, there is no disputing the quality which goes into each of these rods. If an angler prefers to take it a step further, Thorne Brothers will make a custom rod to the specifications required to the individual. The options are endless from the color of thread used in the guide wraps, to the action of the blank, selection of guide style, and what kind of handle is used.
My primary and secondary rods this season were custom TB rods built last summer and they are by far my favorite rods in my collection. If you're considering having a custom ice fishing rod built, I strongly suggest giving Thorne Brothers a look!
Clam Stick on LED Lights: In the past I've generally not fished at night a whole bunch; but the times I did, I wished I would have brought along more lighting. Clam had these lights on clearance last summer for next to nothing, so I put them in all my shacks. I really liked how much light they kicked out and how light weight they were.
Ice Armor Extreme Gloves: If you're in the market for a very warm pair of gloves while scooping snow or operating your atv or snowmobile in the cold, you want these gloves. They did a fantastic job of keeping my hands warm and dry the times it was cold and wet this season. Nothing is worse than having cold fingers while driving your quad or sled across the ice in below freezing temperatures.
Spooky Tungsten Flies: Some anglers are aware how effective flies can be to coercing picky panfish who don't want to bite. Barry Williams combined the benefits of a fly with the added weight of tungsten. These allow anglers to fish a little bit deeper and quicker while still offering you the subtle approach of a fly.
I didn't have the opportunity to use these flies as much as I would have liked this winter; but the times I did use them, they caught fish. Barry did a really nice job with his craftsmanship of the flies and I was very pleased with how they turned out. Hopefully in the future he will include 90 degree hooks in his line up for a truly horizontal offering.
Vexilar Pro View Transducer: I primarily used this transducer this season and I was very pleased with the outcome. The ability of this transducer to pick up the smallest offerings and the target separation was fantastic. About the only "knock" is that the cone angle a little narrower than I would have preferred when fishing extremely shallow water (2-6'). This was quickly looked past by the transducer's performance in standard depths (10-30') fished the majority of the winter.
Genz Spooler Reel: It is a nice reel for the money and hits a certain price point many anglers are looking for when trying out the "fly reel craze". While it might not have all of the bells and whistles compared to fly reels which are three to four times more money, it does provide good value. The reel has the best feel in my hand of all of the various fly reels I use or have held. It also has an adjustable drag and is very light weight. I've found a place for these reels in my sight fishing set ups and they have really shined in that role.
Sportsmen's Direct Pro Series Tungsten Jigs: John sure hit another home run with these jigs. They offer a longer shank and one size larger hook compared to standard tungsten jigs. The paint job is also amazing and they incorporate UV paint in the jigs, which pretty much no one else is doing. The jigs are fantastic for the guys who are using plastics as the longer shank and larger hook helps accommodate plastics better.
The Indifferent
Eagle Claw Inline Reel: The industry has seen an explosion of fly reels onto the market in the last few years. I won't rehash why guys are using fly reels, but suffice to say they are developing a strong following.
Eagle Claw entered the fray this summer with their version of a raft reel, the Eagle Claw Inline ice reel. I was fortunate enough to acquire a couple of the reels for a nominal price. The benefits of this reel over a traditional fly reel are that this reel is geared so that it retrieves more line per revolution. It also has an elongated forearm which allows for easier gripping like a spinning reel and it has a free spool function which allows the lure to take line off the spool without having to pull it out by hand.
This reel wasn't one of my "go to" reels for a few different reasons. The ergonomics of the reel didn't quite feel right as the side with the gears was quite a bit heavier than the side with the spool. Also, if you planned on using a pistol grip the spool wouldn't turn if it were contacting your hand. I also didn't care for the gap between the spool and the housing. I would have preferred for a closer fit so that line wouldn't become tangled when free spooling.
The free spool function was an excellent option and the drag was serviceable.
Scientific Anglers Max 432 Fly Box: I was looking for a box to store all of my tungsten jigs, but also being light weight and compact were a must. I really liked the layout of the box and it does a nice job on the smaller 2-3MM tungsten jigs, but the larger 4-6MM jigs are too heavy to indefinitely stay in the slots. I think this fly box would do an excellent job on flies as well as smaller lead jigs, but I feel it only does an adequate job on securing the larger sized tungsten jigs.
Conclusion
So, what can we gather from all of this information? This list isn't the "Bible", so don't take it as such. There are things about certain products which work well for me that might not for you.
Don't judge a book by its cover and don't cast your judgment right away. Actually try the product and use it more then a handful of times. If you would have asked me what I thought of the Eagle Claw Inline Reel after the first time on the ice, I would have told you I didn't care for it. After getting used to the reel and using it, I have found that is a tool which can benefit the angler in certain angling situations.
I hope each of you tried at least one thing new this winter and please feel free to share it and your impressions of it.
The Good
Thorne Brothers Custom Rods: While these might not be in the price range for some anglers, there is no disputing the quality which goes into each of these rods. If an angler prefers to take it a step further, Thorne Brothers will make a custom rod to the specifications required to the individual. The options are endless from the color of thread used in the guide wraps, to the action of the blank, selection of guide style, and what kind of handle is used.
My primary and secondary rods this season were custom TB rods built last summer and they are by far my favorite rods in my collection. If you're considering having a custom ice fishing rod built, I strongly suggest giving Thorne Brothers a look!
Clam Stick on LED Lights: In the past I've generally not fished at night a whole bunch; but the times I did, I wished I would have brought along more lighting. Clam had these lights on clearance last summer for next to nothing, so I put them in all my shacks. I really liked how much light they kicked out and how light weight they were.
Ice Armor Extreme Gloves: If you're in the market for a very warm pair of gloves while scooping snow or operating your atv or snowmobile in the cold, you want these gloves. They did a fantastic job of keeping my hands warm and dry the times it was cold and wet this season. Nothing is worse than having cold fingers while driving your quad or sled across the ice in below freezing temperatures.
Spooky Tungsten Flies: Some anglers are aware how effective flies can be to coercing picky panfish who don't want to bite. Barry Williams combined the benefits of a fly with the added weight of tungsten. These allow anglers to fish a little bit deeper and quicker while still offering you the subtle approach of a fly.
I didn't have the opportunity to use these flies as much as I would have liked this winter; but the times I did use them, they caught fish. Barry did a really nice job with his craftsmanship of the flies and I was very pleased with how they turned out. Hopefully in the future he will include 90 degree hooks in his line up for a truly horizontal offering.
Vexilar Pro View Transducer: I primarily used this transducer this season and I was very pleased with the outcome. The ability of this transducer to pick up the smallest offerings and the target separation was fantastic. About the only "knock" is that the cone angle a little narrower than I would have preferred when fishing extremely shallow water (2-6'). This was quickly looked past by the transducer's performance in standard depths (10-30') fished the majority of the winter.
Genz Spooler Reel: It is a nice reel for the money and hits a certain price point many anglers are looking for when trying out the "fly reel craze". While it might not have all of the bells and whistles compared to fly reels which are three to four times more money, it does provide good value. The reel has the best feel in my hand of all of the various fly reels I use or have held. It also has an adjustable drag and is very light weight. I've found a place for these reels in my sight fishing set ups and they have really shined in that role.
Sportsmen's Direct Pro Series Tungsten Jigs: John sure hit another home run with these jigs. They offer a longer shank and one size larger hook compared to standard tungsten jigs. The paint job is also amazing and they incorporate UV paint in the jigs, which pretty much no one else is doing. The jigs are fantastic for the guys who are using plastics as the longer shank and larger hook helps accommodate plastics better.
The Indifferent
Eagle Claw Inline Reel: The industry has seen an explosion of fly reels onto the market in the last few years. I won't rehash why guys are using fly reels, but suffice to say they are developing a strong following.
Eagle Claw entered the fray this summer with their version of a raft reel, the Eagle Claw Inline ice reel. I was fortunate enough to acquire a couple of the reels for a nominal price. The benefits of this reel over a traditional fly reel are that this reel is geared so that it retrieves more line per revolution. It also has an elongated forearm which allows for easier gripping like a spinning reel and it has a free spool function which allows the lure to take line off the spool without having to pull it out by hand.
This reel wasn't one of my "go to" reels for a few different reasons. The ergonomics of the reel didn't quite feel right as the side with the gears was quite a bit heavier than the side with the spool. Also, if you planned on using a pistol grip the spool wouldn't turn if it were contacting your hand. I also didn't care for the gap between the spool and the housing. I would have preferred for a closer fit so that line wouldn't become tangled when free spooling.
The free spool function was an excellent option and the drag was serviceable.
Scientific Anglers Max 432 Fly Box: I was looking for a box to store all of my tungsten jigs, but also being light weight and compact were a must. I really liked the layout of the box and it does a nice job on the smaller 2-3MM tungsten jigs, but the larger 4-6MM jigs are too heavy to indefinitely stay in the slots. I think this fly box would do an excellent job on flies as well as smaller lead jigs, but I feel it only does an adequate job on securing the larger sized tungsten jigs.
Conclusion
So, what can we gather from all of this information? This list isn't the "Bible", so don't take it as such. There are things about certain products which work well for me that might not for you.
Don't judge a book by its cover and don't cast your judgment right away. Actually try the product and use it more then a handful of times. If you would have asked me what I thought of the Eagle Claw Inline Reel after the first time on the ice, I would have told you I didn't care for it. After getting used to the reel and using it, I have found that is a tool which can benefit the angler in certain angling situations.
I hope each of you tried at least one thing new this winter and please feel free to share it and your impressions of it.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Live Bait Solutions
A common question guys have when it comes to ice fishing is regarding how to keep your bait alive through out the season. Below I have detailed the approach I have taken the past number of years and has allowed me to keep bait alive from early December all the way to ice out in March.
When I purchase live bait, I usually buy it in bulk as it saves you time and money. Generally I purchase wax worms and maggots and promptly place them in the larger StrikeMaster Bait Puck 2 containers. I have found that you can place a tub of 250 wax worms comfortably inside the large bait puck. You can also easily place a package of 500-1000 maggots in one of the StrikeMaster Bait Puck 2 containers.
Wax worms tend to do better at a slightly warmer temperature (45-50 degrees), so either your basement or garage would be the best location to store them. Maggots on the other hand do better at a slightly colder temperature (35 degrees) and I find placing them at the back of your refrigerator away from the light bulb and door is your best option.
From the large bait pucks, I take some of the maggots and wax worms and put them into the smaller StrikeMaster Bait Pucks. These are the containers I take out onto the ice with me when I go fishing. I will replenish these smaller containers from the larger Bait Puck 2 containers as I cycle through bait during the season. I have found it is hard on live bait to go from cold to hot temperatures so that's why I don't bring the larger containers out with me on every trip. If you only take a small portion of your bait out each time, you will prolong the lifespan of the remaining bait.
I've found the Lindy Grub Getter to be a nice case for your wax worms while out fishing. It has some notches which allow easy sorting of saw dust and wax worms with just a few shakes.
Periodically through out the season, I will sort through my larger containers of live bait and take out the cocooned maggots as well as the dead ones. I also keep an eye on the sawdust and make sure that it doesn't get too wet or start to have a strong ammonia smell to it. If either happens, it's time to replace the sawdust.
By following these few simple steps, you can have your live bait last most of the season and save you some money too!
| StrikeMaster Bait Puck 2 |
Wax worms tend to do better at a slightly warmer temperature (45-50 degrees), so either your basement or garage would be the best location to store them. Maggots on the other hand do better at a slightly colder temperature (35 degrees) and I find placing them at the back of your refrigerator away from the light bulb and door is your best option.
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| StrikeMaster Bait Puck |
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| Lindy Grub Getter |
Periodically through out the season, I will sort through my larger containers of live bait and take out the cocooned maggots as well as the dead ones. I also keep an eye on the sawdust and make sure that it doesn't get too wet or start to have a strong ammonia smell to it. If either happens, it's time to replace the sawdust.
By following these few simple steps, you can have your live bait last most of the season and save you some money too!
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