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Ice fishing dealers share advice with newcomers to the sport, even if they are eager to keep up with the surge in ice fishing sales during the pandemic.
During the pandemic last winter, ice fishing was very popular. If you have never tried this sport, we will provide some simple and direct advice from experts. Andy Molloy/Kennebeck Magazine
When Shawn Norton bought Jack Traps Ice Fishing Outfitters in 2019, he knew that after growing up on ice fishing in a nearby Chinese lake, he wanted to own this iconic ice fishing factory with a 40-year history.
But Norton could not foresee that the coronavirus pandemic would almost double his business last winter when hordes of Mena people rushed outside to eat ice fish. Considering all the new faces in his factory store and the newbie questions he answered on the phone, Norton said that many of his customers last winter were clearly newbies to the sport.
"Last year, December or early January there was no safe ice. It made no difference. After Christmas, we stayed until March," Norton said.
The situation is the same at Windham in Sebago Bait. Wayne Berzinis, a 40-year-old Maine ice fisherman, saw his business in Sebago Lake double.
"It's great, really nice to see. There are many families going out together," Belzinis said.
For those who wanted to try ice fishing last winter but did not try, here is a basic guide for experts on how to welcome the upcoming outdoor season.
"Ice fishing can be very simple," Norton assured. "Give me a hole in the ice and give me some bait. It all depends on how much money you plan to invest."
Before you leave home, the first thing you need to do is buy a fishing license ($25 for residents and $64 for non-residents), and then a basic understanding of state fishing laws-or how to find it online they.
The next one on your list is a fishing line or fishing trap, also called a tilt. Maine’s general fishing laws allow five traps, but it’s best to check the fishing water laws. The fixture line is a more concise method. But we will talk about this shortly.
Last winter, after ice fishing became popular, Shawn Norton of Jack Traps Ice Fishing Outfitters in Monmouth had to double his number of employees. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/staff photographer
At the end of the fishing line, be sure to pick up the fishing line, hook and swivel. This is the device between the fishing line from the trap to the fishing line to the hook. All of these are around $10.
Finally, the last important necessity is something to dig a hole-hand chisel (about 20 US dollars) or auger-original hand drill (50 to 150 US dollars), old gasoline auger (250 to 500 US dollars), or newer , Lighter and quieter electric version (approximately US$300 to US$700).
Berzinis says that more and more people are buying manual augers, removing the handles and installing the basic drill bits you use at home.
Jack Traps' oil skimmer is not a necessity, but it makes ice fishing a breeze. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/staff photographer
No matter what you decide, you need to use one of these tools to drill holes and a hand chisel to check the ice before walking over. If you are out with friends, make sure it is at least 3 inches thick. (The state has guidelines for other situations.)
The other convenient but not necessary item is a sharp knife. If you plan to save it for dinner, you can keep fish entrails; a skimmer that looks like a ladle, used to scoop out ice cubes from the hole; If the ice surface is smooth, creepers or ice thorns can walk on the ice surface (all the above costs are between $10 and $70).
Don't wait for the bait
Norton recommends carrying a bait bucket and a small aerator in your bait to keep it alive. The price of battery power supply is approximately US$15 to US$40.
You need to check state laws to see if live bait is allowed in the pond or lake where you are fishing. Under legal circumstances, Norton recommends using live bait to add a little movement to the end of the fishing line to lure the fish.
If you are obsessed with ice fishing-you may want big fish and meat: put a big cooler and an equally big aerator in the garage, and leave the fresh bait at home so you can secretly at dawn Sneak out without having to stop and buy some.
"The water needs dissolved oxygen. Depending on how many fish you have, they can be used up. So you need an aerator large enough," Norton said.
Some other accessories can make the experience more enjoyable.
Igloos are a tradition of ice fishing from Minnesota to Maine-but not necessary if you want a warm haven. Try a pop-up cabin. They start at around US$150 and can go up to US$600. But in these portable cabins, you can install camping chairs, coolers, and small portable propane heaters for heating (70 to 150 dollars).
Jack Traps’ Pulk sledges – another item you can’t bring, but they help reduce the load. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/staff photographer
Then drag your gear, preferably a pulk sled, which is similar to your basic plastic children's sled. But invest in classic thick, wide black ice fishing sledges in hardware stores and sporting goods stores-you will be glad you did it yourself. They start at about $50, but are sturdy and durable, with the sides almost a foot high, ensuring that they won't flip when you pull them across the lake.
Berzinis likes to freeze first in the smaller, stocking ponds, and to walk in with a basket in the early season. And he likes to keep it simple-only one wire to the fixture and some worms in his pocket.
Many times, Berzinis said, you don't even need to drill holes. Just find some holes you have drilled before and kick them in. He brought a chisel just in case-and checked the ice as he went.
Ber Zinis said that for those with strict budgets, you can spend less than $150 to go out and play with a chisel or hand drill (20 to 100 US dollars), fishing rod (30 US dollars), worms (under 10 US dollars) and fishing line, Fish hook and spin (10 USD). Put everything in your backpack and hike in. Or, use an old backpack basket for a truly traditional method, even though these cost an additional $100.
"I like to put some worms, a jig rod, or a few traps in my pocket, and then it's fine," Belzinis said.
The hooks and leaders shown in Jack Traps may confuse novices. Don't be shy to ask for help. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/staff photographer
One thing is certain-anyone who picks up ice fishing has no shortage of mentors. Berzinis and Norton urge new ice fishermen to go online and visit ice fishing forums on social media (such as Maine Ice Fishing on Facebook)-and even connect with ice fishermen for fishing. The state also lists tips and state inventory reports on its website.
"The ice fishing community is very happy to help others," Belzinis said. "If you are in contact with people, please ask for tips. I like to take people out and introduce them to the sport."
Norton’s best advice: The best ice fishermen are committed to this. Therefore, checking the traps regularly will increase the success rate.
"If you just walk around, pick up the 3-foot-high traps and put them back in place-you will wake the bait and make it move," Norton said. "You may find a flag soon."
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