Fishing adventure with the kids

[dakids]

Last friday I recieved my new  :happy1:JAWBREAKER jigs in the mail and was ready to hit the ice after the kids got off the bus.  Had the van packed and ready to go, all that I needed was the kids to get in and go.  First delay!  The    says the kids have to eat supper first and that chips, pop and other junk food eaten while fishing didn't count.  Finally we hit the road 45 min later.  Second delay!  Accident ahead on 494 494 is now a parking lot. We get off 494 and take the back way in.  Unload fishing stuff and start the 3/4 mile walk.  We get all set up just as the sun sets.  The bottom 10 feet on the flasher is lit up like a Griswald christmas tree.  The kids are getting excited as I light the coleman lantern(3 years old).  Now we can see the bobbers. Both kids miss 2-3 fish each.  Things look very promising.  Just then the latern starts to smoke REAL BAD.  I flip the fishhouse top open and as I do this the lantern bursts into a big fireball.  I grab the bottm of the fireball and toss it away from the kids.  Best part was nobody got hurt, worst part was we had no more light.  Both kids thought it was pretty cool.  I will be buying a battery powered lighting system. Any suggestions?    After all the excitement we got back to fishing.  Kids missed more fish because they couldn't see anything.  After 10 min. they wanted to go, which was OK with me because I was having a really hard time putting minnows on hooks with no light.  

I was pretty happy with the kids.  The walk was pretty long.  Didn't catch anything.  Didn;t complain once and they each tried to out do the other pulling the fish house the farthest.  They will be talking about the fishless fishing trip for a long time.  They said it was the best of the year.  

[MTCOMMER]

http://mnoutdoorsman.com/forums/index.php?topic=19327.0

See the forum below -- about 10 below this post.
I prefer the battery powered lantern - mine has 20 LED's and works fine, but there is a picture of a circular light which looks like too.  And then, to go with my battery powered LED lantern I have an LED headlamp that I use so I have light where im looking too.  Mine has a dimmer red light and then a bright LED white light that I use when I need something done (Baiting, measuring, etc.)
Sorry to hear about the mishaps on the trip, but its good to hear you got out with the kids!

[DDSBYDAY]

I like the coleman lantern for primary light.  Fleetfarm has both the circular and clip on led's at a reasonable price. Last time I was there they had a 3 pack of the clip on's for 15$.  They also make great gifts.   Glad you had fun and got the kids out.   I wouldn't give up on the coleman though.  You have to let the kids know how hot the top gets even if it is not engulfed in flame.  Thanks for sharing your story.  It brings back memories.-----One of them is late ice crappie fishing.  Drill your hole 1/2 way down.  Set a coleman in the hole.   You will draw the bugs-slabs to follow.  Good luck.

[Jdrummer]

I like the 15 dollar rope lights you can by at just about any store. they can be ran off of a spare vex battery for a long , long time. lighting is very well too. You also cant ever beat a good head light for the walk back and the packing and un packing the cargo. I have used mine to show my son where the slick ice is when we get out of the truck in the driveway.not enough lights or lack of working ones can ruin fishing trips in a hurry and you are lucky your kids didnt have a differetn attitude towards it. 

[dakids]

The kids were still talking about the fireball this morning.  We are planning a trip closer to home this friday night.  We will be able to drive to the spot and use the battery off of the van to light the house with my 12 volt trouble light. 

DDSBYDAY We used to drill 1/2 way through the ice when I was in high school to.  We did get talked to by the local CO and he gave us a warning because we were throwing everything back.  It was great fun while it lasted.  We were catching slabs as fast as you could get the hook back down.

[DDSBYDAY]

I thought because you are above the surface of the water it was legal .  I will be checking on this.  I have not tried it for many years.  I will post back when I find my reg book.  Thanks for the tip(and possibly saving me a ticket). Good good luck this weekend.

[DDSBYDAY]

Using an artificial light to lure or attract fish is unlawful. Exception: While
angling, a person may affix to the end of a fishing line a lighted artificial
bait with hooks attached. Any battery that is used in lighted fishing lures
cannot contain any intentionally introduced mercury.


That answers that question---Not Allowed!!!

[Jdrummer]

Ya i wouldn't touch the "only way home" I never use my truck battery for anything when i am fishing . I wouldnt wanna risk draining the battery too much that it wont start. but some l.e.d lights or a few head lamps for the kids and ur self and have some small candles for back up or hole lights. You never know how much juice ur battery has and starting a cold vehicle takes alot of juice. just my 2 cents.

[Fawkinnae]

DaKids - you're kids are real troopers. They sound like a lot of fun.
Glad to hear the fireball behaved.