Anyone give me some tips on Ice fishing???

[JamieLynnMN]

So I haven't been ice fishing in a looooong time. My dad used to take me when I was younger. I don't remember anything. I'm going to an ice fishing tournament at the end of this month on Staples Lake in Danbury Wisconsin. It's just a family thing with door prizes and a small amount of cash for the largest fish caught. I don't know what I need, what kind of bait...nothing. I know I don't need a shack because there will be some set up for us. If anyone can give me a little help that would be GREAT!
Thanks much,
Jamie

[Outdoors Junkie]

JamieLynnMN,

First, I want to say welcome to MNO!  We are glad you decided to join us here.  Second, I am sure we have a ton of folks that can give you advice about icefishing.  Do you know what kind of fish you will be trying to catch (Walleye, crappies, northerns, etc.)?  Will you have access to a fish house or be out on the open ice?  What equipment might you have to start with?  We can give you advise of additional things you may need.  If you could give a us a little more specific details, we will be able to get you prepared.

thanks,

OJ

[JamieLynnMN]

Well I figured this is the best place for advice besides my dad. Well I would really like to catch a walleye, few crappies, and blue gills. I've been fishing on this lake this past summer...lots of crappies! There will be ice houses set up so depending on the temperature I might be in a shack. Otherwise open ice. I don't have any equipment lol. I just need to know what kind of rods to use, bait, etc, for those certain fish. Everything else will be provided.
Thanks!

[Wagz]

There are some great combo out there. I would go with a light action but that is my personal choice. Get some 4 -6 lb test line to spool the reel with. This will be a good all round combo for Eyes and Crappies. Fleet farm has alot of good deals and the guys at gander would be helpful too but you will pay a little more.

For just starting out for crappies buy some tear drops (every one has there favorites) and you will end up tipping those with some meat of some kind ( minnow or Waxie) I like the Thill Mini Stealths for bobbers. They are a slip bobber and the know stays below the ice so the dont stick as much when reeling up .

[ThunderCAT]

I love the stealth bobbers...so I second that one!

Of course, you'll also need a Vexilar or Marcum, a new fish house, a 4-wheeler, an auger, tons of new jigs everytime you go to an outdoors type store...and you'll need to be gone most weekends to find the hot spots so that when your son gets older you know where to take him...oh wait, that's just what I tell my wife.        

Reality is all you need is a jiggle stick, some line, a plain hook and bait!   

[repoman]

i agree all you really need is a decent combo (rod, reel) maybe even invest in a tip up i know gander has dealls right now for around 10 bucks , if there paying for the largest fish i would definitly invest in a tipup(ask for a good tipup line  , maybe some jigs,sinkers some small bobbers , i personally dont use bobbers usually but some do ! then some live bait or even the gulp products work good too . most combos come with line already . most fishing departments we'll help you out in chooseing
id say for around 40-50 bucks  could set you up decent for a day of fishing 

good luck ! and oh yeah (WELCOME TO MNO )

[Super Star!]

welcome to MNO  id tell you how to catch a fish but it would probly be the wrong way lol

[The General]

For crappies my go to lure is the Forrage Minnow jig.....the smallest size made.  Choose your favorite color my choice is the blue and white one.  Get the lightes action rod you can find then no bobber is needed.  Tip it with the whole minnow or wax worm.  The second thing I would buy is a tip-up.  The round ones that cover the hole.  Buy the biggest sinners at the bait shop.  (If you want to catch big fish use big bait) Use just a plain red hook and a god size sinker.  Plus a six pack of your favorite beverage.  Most important HAVE FUN!

[Spinach]

Go with 2-4 pound line in mono, I rig all mine with 2, 3 and 4 pound test for panfish, the only time I use the 4 lb is when I am catching slab crappies or fishing in reeds or brush. Lighter is better.

Icebuster bobbers are a must have, you can clip them on and off without retying your line.

For tackle, try Frostees, Fatboys, Tick Jigs, Demons, Rat Finkees, Diamond Jigs by JR's Tackle, Shrimpos, Ratsos or plain hooks.

A light action rod and an ice reel will get you started, you can pick one up at Gander Mountain for less than $20.

[kenhuntin]

Everyone wants to catch walleyes sunnies and crappies but if there is a prize for biggest fish.And you wish to show people up with your fishing prowess Walk over to where you think the water is shallow and X a spot for someone to drilll you a hole. Hopefully you will be in  6 to 14 feet of water. Just drop in a sucker minnow with a jig placed in between the tail and the fin on its back (when placinng the hook in go through the upper portion so you dont pierce and break the spine).You can fish it with a rod but usually girls your age would rather be doing something else. I would suggest a tip up that you can just set and wait for the flag. that way you can casually and confidently walk around and wait for the winning northern or bass maybe walleye to come knockin. It sounds like you have enough time to practice with a tip up and you need to work out the bugs before you hit the ice. There are many people here that can talk you through the process as I feel like I am getting long winded here. It involves a depth bomb. Which you should at least have a pretty one adorning your lapel.

[Spinach]

I didn't realize this was a biggest fish only tournament. My tips above were for general panfishing.

If your gonna target Walleye, probably go with a med action rod, 8 lb test, a jigging spoon and tip it with a small shiner or fathead. Also throw a tipup out with some heavier line, plain hook and a large shiner, hopefully a big Pike will be hungry.

Your best bet for biggest fish will most likely be targeting a Northern on a tipup. You can also fish 3 lines in Wisconsin, depending on the tournament rules.

[JamieLynnMN]

Oh my goodness. Thanks for all the tips guys! I just don't know what to do. So many choices! Yes the prize is for the largest fish but I wouldn't mind catching a few crappies or sunnies to bring home. I plan on bringing lots of beer so no worries there! But thank you so much for all the tips. If there are many more, bring em on.
Thanks,
Jamie

[repoman]

Oh my goodness. Thanks for all the tips guys! I just don't know what to do. So many choices! Yes the prize is for the largest fish but I wouldn't mind catching a few crappies or sunnies to bring home. I plan on bringing lots of beer so no worries there! But thank you so much for all the tips. If there are many more, bring em on.
Thanks,
Jamie

beer is good

[JamieLynnMN]

Beer is very good! Don't worry we will be well stocked