Crappie are a fun species of fish to target because they tend to congregate near weed beds and in shallower water, meaning you can target them reliably and start a feeding frenzy for sustained catching. But do crappie bite at night? The answer is yes, at all times of year. During the warm summer months, …
If you are new to fishing, you are probably finding some words and terms that are unfamiliar to you. A common term for trophy fishers and even casual anglers is “PB.” You might see this in forums, fishing reports, and all sorts of fishing publications. But what exactly does PB mean to fishermen? In fishing, …
If you’ve ever wondered what the difference between an ice fishing reel and a spinning reel is, you’re not alone. After all, they look the same and seem to work the same way. The differences between ice reels and summer spinning reels are small but important. First, ice reels are usually smaller because they aren’t …
One of the best ways to catch more fish through the ice is to drill a lot of fishing holes. At each new hole, you jig for a few minutes, maybe using a sonar or underwater camera to survey the scene, and hope to find fish. If not, move on and drill new holes until …
One of the most difficult parts of ice fishing is keeping your tackle box organized. It’s easy to go a little overboard at the sporting goods store and buy a huge number of lures and spoons for your fishing needs. I even buy multiples of my favorite spoons in case I lose one. But how …
I grew up fishing in Wyoming, where ice fishing is more of a sport than a way of life. I don’t know anybody who depends on their catch to feed their family – most people just do it for fun. So when I saw native Alaskans on TV catching large numbers of fish during the …
One of my favorite parts of ice fishing is eating what I catch. I don’t always keep fish for the oven, but when I do I like to make sure they taste as good as possible. This means keeping the fish alive until I’m ready to go home. You’ll be absolutely amazed what a difference …
Ice fishing can be a pretty tough hobby. You’ve got cold temperatures, slippery ice, and bitter wind to contend with, and that’s just the start. You shouldn’t add stiff legs or a sore behind to that list of discomforts. Get yourself a good ice fishing chair, and you’ll be fishing longer hours thanks to the …
Ice fishing is a hobby that requires quite a bit of gear, and you only collect more over time. On top of that, fishing rods are delicate and the lines can get tangled if you don’t keep them in a secure case. You definitely want to protect the fishing gear you buy from getting lost …
In my years of ice fishing at lakes across Wyoming, I’ve had several otherwise good fishing days ruined by cold feet. This is a sport that threatens to freeze your toes in a variety of ways: cold outdoor temperatures, frozen ice below you, water from the lake and melting snow, and, of course, the wind. …
Maybe you’ve been ice fishing with the guy who brings every new gadget, or maybe you’ve just heard about underwater ice fishing cameras online. Is a fishing camera something you need, or is it just a fun “extra” for ice fishermen to waste their money on? The truth is, it’s not really necessary to have …
A custom-painted ice fishing lure or jig head might be just what you need to finally catch that trophy-length pike or the lunker walleye you have been chasing. Lure and jig painting is a super rewarding hobby that will let you exercise some creativity and attention to detail as part of the greater hobby of …
If you are investing in an ice fishing shelter, you definitely want to stay warm. It can make the experience of ice fishing even more fun when you don’t have to be bundled up in a heavy coat and bibs. Some small shelters will stay warm just from sunlight and body heat. But if these …
Tying a hook onto a fishing line may be the first and most important step in catching a fish. No hook, no fish. Worse, if you tie the wrong kind of knot or do a poor job, it could come undone or snap the fishing line, letting your fish escape. Maybe you’ve been through this …
Wax worms are an excellent bait for ice fishing because they show the fish a realistic food scent and appearance to attract more bites. They’re also small enough that it’s easy to carry plenty of wax worms with you to last a whole day. Wax worms are great because you can place them on a …
A day out on the lake ice fishing feels a lot longer when you aren’t getting bites or catching any fish. Even if you catch a few, you may want to increase your odds of catching a big one. There may be a whopper of a walleye in your future if you follow the tips …
If you’re serious about consistently catching big fish through the ice, you need to do two things: stock up on lots of fishing gear and try a lot of spots on the lake until you find where the fish are hiding. Hauling a full set of ice fishing gear and moving from spot to spot …
I started ice fishing in Wyoming when I was a teenager, and let me tell you, my first few trips were miserable! The icy wind cut right through my jeans, even though I had a thermal layer underneath. Even worse, when I would bend over to reach into the fishing hole, my coat and shirt …
If you do a lot of ice fishing, you will eventually have a day when your lake holds a layer of water on top of the ice. Usually, this only happens close to the edge of the lake and you can reach dryer ice after sloshing through some surface water. The question is, even though …
When you’re out on the ice all day, one of the most frustrating things is trying to bounce your line or pull up a fish and finding that your ice fishing hole has frozen solid. If you’re fishing in the far North where temperatures drop well below zero, crunching through a constantly-freezing hole can be …
