The Good Life - January/February 2014

Bret’s Lab “Mika”, Taste-Testing a Perch
GL: Do you need a lot of equipment for ice fishing?
BA: Not at all. All you need is something to drill a hole in
the ice, a fishing pole and bait. But I won’t fish without some
sort of electronic flasher. They help you locate fish under the
ice so you don’t waste your time fishing water that doesn’t
have any fish.
GL: What kinds of equipment do you need to get started?
How much does equipment cost?
BA: A rod and reel combo can be as low as $20 at most
sporting good stores. A hand auger can be relatively
inexpensive compared to a gas/propane powered auger and
that’s about it. Warm clothes should be worn of course and
if you decide to purchase a flasher unit (Vexilar, MarCum or
Humminbird), they can run from $200 - $1,200 depending
on the model. They’re not necessary, but as I mentioned
earlier, I won’t fish without one.
GL: What kinds of bait should be used?
BA: Depends on the body of water. If you can, you should
research the forage base of the lake you plan on fishing, and
then purchase the appropriate bait. A quick stop into a local
bait shop should be able to answer that question for you.
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GL: How do you drill the perfect fishing hole, safely and
efficiently?
BA: Line up your auger straight and let ‘er buck! It’s much
easier than it looks. The key is to keep your feet dry when
you pull the auger back out of the water as water will
come with it. Also, make sure you are on safe ice before
you start drilling.
GL: How deep should the line be in the water once the
bait is attached?
A Delicious
Meal of Fresh
Perch