FIRST ICE HYPE

We’re getting closer...the overnight temps have begun dipping into the 20’s and 30’s, the leaves on the trees begin to fall, and there’s even some skim ice starting to form on shorelines. For many of us, it signals the start of this crazy, infectious sickness we call ice fishing! Here are a few friendly tips I start to put in motion while waiting for Mother Nature to bless us with her consistent cold temps leading into the long awaited first ice period!

GEAR CHECK: My gear check always starts with my Rise Float Suit from Ice Armour. With today’s advancements in motion float technology, to me, nothing is more important than taking advantage of a suit that offers comfort, warmth, mobility, and safety in the form of superior bouyancy assist technology that just could save your life if you go through the ice. The best part for all of us ice anglers, is the fact that it’s a suit specifically made keeping ice anglers’s needs in mind and the price point is hard to beat.

Next on the gear check list would be to make sure my Vexilar is operating correctly. Check all the knobs and settings and make sure your battery is functioning and charging properly. With the new lithium batteries available from Amped Outdoors, battery issues are a thing of the past. I strongly recommend switching to a lithium battery, specifically for it’s light weight and running time power. After you’ve checked all the above, fill up your bathtub or take a run down to the lake in order to make sure your transducer is working.

Also some very important items on my check list would be my ice safety kit. My ice safety kit includes the following items: multiple throw ropes, ice picks, float cushion, a first aid kit, several packs of “Hot Hands” for feet, body and hands, along with a small warm blanket or towel. I also include a thermos of hot coffee and a bottle of water. It may seem like overkill...but trust me, there is no such thing as overkill when it comes to ice safety, especially first and last ice. We also have invested in a Nebulus System for our UTV. To find out more info on the Nebulus, check out Nebulusflotation.com.

After the important gear above is marked off the checklist, I start reorganizing my Clam Slim Jig boxes and going through

` Requires ½" drill chuck (see web site for recommended drills) ` Foam float prevents the drill from sinking ` Thermal wrap on light weight aluminum shaft ` Durable composite flighting ` Drill through 36" of ice without extension (12" and 18" extensions available) ` Durable tool steel chipper blades ` Large center point for safer drilling of old holes ` Three sizes available:

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my favorite ice fishing jigs, making sure I’ve got plenty of variety in color and sizes. As a tournament fisherman and guide, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate these jig boxes and the way they keep my jigs neatly organized. My favorite go-to jig by far has to be the Clam Dropkick. It’s my favorite jig for many reasons, number one being it’s versatility. If you’re a multispecies fisherman, you’re going to want a few Dropkicks in your aresonal. The action it provides your presentation, be it with plastics or live bait is unmatched... especially when it comes to enticing big slab crappies! When guiding clients in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, all my clients are required to tie on a Dropkick! Once my jigs are in order, I turn to greasing up and oiling my reels. No one has time for sticky reels and we don’t want them freezing up on us when it’s go time. A dab of grease and a dab of oil to keep that grease regenerated will go a long way in keeping you in the game all ice season. You’ll also want to spool up some fresh line on your rigs. There are a ton of great ice lines available out there. My particular favorite is the new Frost Mono in Hi-Vis Gold. The gold is completely transparent to fish in the water column but helps us anglers see the bite better up above and also helps us out visually when tying knots.

Once the terminal tackle is in order, it’s time to check auger blades, drills and batteries. Nothing will shut down a first ice outing quicker than an auger with dull blades or batteries that aren’t holding a charge. Sharpen or replace your blades if needed and make sure your drill batteries are charging properly. I will often do battery checks a few times throughout the summer and fall seasons to ensure I’ll be good to go come first ice...same can be said for your Vexilar batteries!

Finally last on the list would be a quick inspection of my Stealth Kenai one man flip over shelter. I rarely fish out of a shelter during first ice season, but sometimes due to windy conditions it’s necessary for both personal comfort and jig cadence control. I’m looking for any holes in the fabric caused by critters or Mr. Heater mishaps! If you’ve had one of these little mishaps... you can find replacement material at www. clamoutdoors.com. Our great customer service reps are always here to help us with any issues that may arise from our equipment to our terminal tackle. Truly the best in the business!