Be Smart, Be Safe, Practice Ice Safety

It’s that time of year again and many of our northern friends will be venturing out on the solid surface of their favorite waters for a little winter fishing.

Even though there may be safe ice in the middle of winter in many places, there are certain times and conditions where thin ice may persist and danger awaits…

Take a moment and check out the following video created by the safety folks in MN and distributed via the AnglingBuzz YouTube channel!

You may be glad you did!

Here’s another helpful graphic from the folks at MN DNR showing ice thickness conditions for certain modes of travel…

Take care out there and enjoy every moment you safely spend on the ice pursuing your favorite gamefish 

Staying Safe and Cozy with the Proper Ice Fishing Clothing

When it’s time to go fishing on the ice, you’ll need to pay special attention to ice fishing clothing options. Ice fishing conditions are very cold and it’s important that you do all you can to protect your body from harmful temperatures.

First, begin with dressing in layers. You’ll want to have several layers so that you can adjust what you’re wearing. Remember, you can always take a layer off if you get too hot, but you can only add on what you have with you.

Begin with a bottom layer that’s worn closest to your skin. This layer of clothing needs to always remain dry. You may want to choose a type of thermal underwear. This will insulate your body and protect it from cold.

Then you can begin layering your clothing on top of the under layer. On the outside of your body you’ll want to focus on clothing that is water repellent and wind resistant. The most dangerous part of ice fishing is the cold wind. This can cause problems with hypothermia and frostbite quickly.

Ice fishing suits are available that encompass all you need in order to stay dry and warm. You can always remove this layer if you become too hot or conditions are calm, but it’s important to have it when things are windy, wet, and cold.

You’ll also need to protect your extremities. Hands and feet are the first places on the body that become damaged in cold temperatures. For your feet, you’ll want to wear socks that are made for cold conditions and wear insulated, waterproof boots for protection. It is important that your socks never get wet – wet socks cannot keep you warm.

Wearing ice fishing gloves will also protect your fingers and hands. Many people choose to wear wool finger gloves. These are gloves that allow you to still use your fingers for baiting your hook, but keep the rest of your hands warm.

The wool material is safer if it gets wet than other materials. In addition, you can wear a glove over the finger gloves to keep your fingertips warm when you don’t need them. By wearing two sets of gloves, you guarantee better protection from the cold.

Finally, you need to protect your head and face. You’ll want to look for a hat that is warm, has flaps that cover your ears, and offers a visor for protection from the sun and the wind. With the appropriate ice fishing clothing you can have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Check out Omnia Fishing's ice gear by clicking on the link below!

Omnia Fishing's Ice Gear

What to Look for in an Ice Fishing House

If you’re ready to brave the cold weather and enjoy a sport, you’ll want to look for an ice fishing house that can protect you from nature’s elements. There are several features that will help you to make a good choice.

There are two types of ice fishing houses. One type is a temporary, portable shelter and is the most common. This is perfect if you’re interested in the sport, but you’re on a budget or if you’re new to ice fishing and not ready to make a big investment.

The second type of ice fishing house is an RV style house that has amenities such as a kitchen, bathroom, beds, and built in ice fishing holes. These are usually on a trailer that can be pulled to your fishing site.

One of the first considerations when shopping for an ice fishing house is budget. There’s a wide range of costs associated with these shelters and the features you’ll get will depend on how much you’re willing to spend. In general, you’ll find that shelters cost between $150 and $1000. The RV style house will cost several thousand dollars. Here we will focus on the temporary shelter.

Once you’ve narrowed your budget, you’ll want to look for features that improve your experience. For example, you’ll want a shelter that’s quick and easy to set up and take down. You don’t want to spend your whole time on the ice setting up your shelter when you could be fishing instead.

You’ll want your shelter to be wind resistant and water resistant. Obviously the point of having a shelter is to protect you from the elements. It will do you no good to have a shelter that still allows the elements to come in.

Next you’ll need to decide how many doors and windows you’d like for your shelter. That’s a matter of personal preference. Ice fishing houses usually have two to six windows inside them. This allows you to peak outside and to have a source of natural light. The number of doors will depend on how many people are in your group.

It’s important to make sure your shelter as a strong anchoring system to protect you when you’re experiencing high winds. Some shelters have extra features such as areas that secure your gear, floors, and insulation that protects you from the elements even further. When looking for an ice fishing house, you’ll need to consider the features you need and the price you can afford.

Check out the ice fishing gear available via Omnia Fishing by clicking on the link below:

Omnia Fishing's Ice Fishing Gear

Ice Fishing Tackle 101

If you’re new to ice fishing, you probably have many questions about ice fishing tackle. Being a newbie in a sport can be intimidating, but here are a few basic tips to help you get started with building up your own supply of tackle.

First, tackle is the term that refers to fishing gear. While some people use the word tackle to refer to terminal tackle such as bait and hooks, it can really be applied to any type of gear. Ice fishing tackle can include rods, reels, hooks, lines, sinkers, and bait.

When going ice fishing, you’ll need to have at least the minimum amount of tackle in order to enjoy your experience and succeed at catching fish. Let’s take a look at some of the most important equipment for an ice fisherman.

You’ll need to be able to create a hole. To do this, you’ll need an ice auger. This is a tool that helps you to drill a hole in the ice. You’ll also need a skimmer to help remove ice chips from the hole and allow access to fish.

You may not think about this, but you’ll need a seat of some kind. There seats you can buy from a sporting goods store that are portable and allow comfort for a long day on the ice. You’ll need a bait bucket and a dip net as well. The dip net will allow you to get out bait without getting your hands wet. In cold temperatures, staying dry is the most important consideration.

You’ll obviously need a fishing rod in order to catch fish. The type of rod you choose depends on the type of fish you’re going to try to catch. You’ll want to talk to local fisherman about what type of fish are common in your area so you’ll know what type of rod you need.

After deciding on a rod, you’ll need the appropriate line for your rod. You’ll also need hooks, leaders, jigs, and lures. All of these items can be purchased when you’ve made your choice of a rod. Online sites are good at offering special kits that include all you need at a discounted price.

In addition to ice fishing tackle, you need to make sure you’re prepared to stay warm in icy cold conditions. You’ll need to have appropriate clothing that can keep you not only warm, but also dry. Having the proper attire along with ice fishing tackle can make your sport fun and safe.

Check out the geat ice fishing gear selection at Omnia Fishing vis the following link:

Ice Fishing Gear @ Omnia Fishing

Choosing the Best Ice Fishing Rod

In today’s ice angling world, ice fishing rods have become very sophisticated. When it comes to purchasing one, you have a lot of choices and options. First, you’ll need to consider the type of fish you’re trying to catch. This makes all the difference in what type of rod you’ll need.

Rods come classified, in general, as ultra-light, light, medium, and heavy. This refers to the amount of power the rod has in relation to the fish you’re trying to catch. Smaller fish require lighter rods and larger fish need heavier rods. You’ll want to get the lightest rod possible for the type of fish that you want to catch.

The type of fish will be determined by what’s available in your area. Do a little homework by talking to other fisherman in your area about what they catch. You can also contact your local fish and wildlife department to get ideas.

The type of material that the rod’s blank is made of is also a big consideration. Some of the top choices include fiberglass and graphite. There are also composite materials available. These are all produced so well that it just really depends on your personal choice.

You’ll also want to look at the number of line guides on your rod. These are also called eyes. They help determine the performance of the rod and the more you have the better. You’ll want to choose a rod that has five or six line guides. Four is acceptable, but you wouldn’t want to go with any fewer.

The handle material also impacts your fishing experience. There are many possible choices including foam, cork, plastic, and even graphite. The goal is to have a handle that warms easily when held and is also sensitive to the vibrations of the fish.

Cost is another major consideration. If you’re new to ice fishing, you may not want to buy the most expensive equipment. It might be better to get economical equipment until you’ve decided you’re going to continue the sport. Once you know you want to practice ice fishing long term, you can invest more money into your gear.

Once you’ve looked at all the factors, it’s time to buy your rod. Your best bet for choosing a quality rod at a good price is by looking online. Many online retailers offer a wide variety of choices and make shopping for an ice fishing rod as simple as a few clicks of the mouse.

Check out the great selection of ice fishing gear available at Omnia Fishing by clicking on the following link:

Ice Fishing Gear @ Omnia Fishing

Where to Buy Ice Fishing Gear

If you’re looking for ice fishing gear, there are several options for buying it. The top two options are brick and mortar sporting goods stores and online retailers. There are pros and cons to each, but you’ll find that purchasing online will get you the most variety and the best deals.

When you go to a brick and mortar store you’ll be able to see products first hand. However, you’ll be limited to what the store has in stock. If you make a special order for an item to be shipped to the store you’ll generally have a lengthy wait and you’ll need to make a return trip to pick up your merchandise.

Brick and mortar retailers also have higher priced items. This is simply because they have more overhead. They have to pay for a building, utilities, and staff. This cost is all built in to the products that you buy from them.

The benefit of going to a brick and mortar store is that you can actually see and handle merchandise first hand before you buy it. Some people prefer to know exactly what they’re getting ahead of time.

When you choose an online retailer, you’ll find that there are many benefits. First, you’ll find a huge variety of items can be purchased online. If you’re looking for an ice fishing shelter, rods, line, hooks, and bait you’ll find hundreds of options when you begin to search online. You won’t be limited by what you can physically find in your area.

Shopping online will also give you multiple stores where you can have a greater selection. If you wanted to price compare at brick and mortar stores you’d find yourself driving around all day. Online shopping requires just a few clicks.

Online retailers often offer deep discounts on products because their overhead is so low. In addition, items will be shipped directly to your door. That means less work on your end to get your items – no trips back and forth to the store.

When you shop online for ice fishing gear, you’ll also find that you can see what others thought of the product. Looking at reviews- both good and bad – can help you to decide what product is best for you and avoid pitfalls that others have faced.

Whether you’re new to ice fishing or a seasoned pro, you’ll find that online purchasing of ice fishing gear can stretch your dollar further and be very convenient.

Check out a great online vendor for ice fishing gear by clicking on the following link:

Ice Fishing Gear @ Omnia Fishing