MI Ice Guys

Find the Bait

I just got news that our friend Jack Horning is now with DMF Bait.   While on a congratulations call to him, he told me that they have a bait locator, showing stores that have their bait.

Check it out here

If you’re like me, you often wonder where I can go quickly grab some spikes or waxies.    With fewer small bait shops around you often wonder if a hardware or gas station might have bait.    I prefer to get my drinks, snacks and even diesel  for the truck all in one stop.   Often closest to where I am going to fish.

Well our friends at K & E have just sent us the collection of new colors for the Skandia Line of jigs.    These three Electric Chicken, Wonder Bright Chartruse, and Clown Glow are available in Moon, Pelkie & Diamnond Tip for this season. Make sure you get to your local shop to get the colors before they are out!

Check out their whole line on this handy chart of colors.

Have you charged the battery in your flasher?   Many forget to give these a charge over the off season.   If neglected, many batteries will go bad.  Take a few moments this fall to check it out and give it a charge.   Check all the stuff you left in the garage while your at it.    If you need a new battery you have time to do a little shopping, or head for the local bait shop and get one before everyone storms the store on first ice.

Saw this deal at Home Depot,  12v 7.2ah  for reasonable

Every year it seems one of my batteries for the flasher goes down.   Won’t take a charge.   Time to replace it.   You have options.  Most of us carry a unit on a hopper bucket, so the physical size can vary a bit.  If you are using the plastic carrier that came with the flasher, you might need to bust out the tape measure if you are going to go the economical route.

• From the Manufacturer
  • Vexlar  $50
  • Marcum N/A
• Local Sporting Good Store
  • Cabelas $20
• Home Improvement Store $20
• Ebay  under $20

You just need to look at the Amp Hours.    Most of the links above are for 9ah batteries.   They will last you 2-3 trips before needing to be charged.   You can save some money going to a 7ah battery, but you will need to charge it more often.

Now Steph and I carry spare batteries.  As I said before physical size is not that big of a deal in the hopper bucket.   The battery is in the big bucket on the botton that the hopper rig is hooked to, while the smaller bucket, on top, holds your catch.

I don’t recommend putting the spare in the hopper bucket, if you choose to carry one, but in a spare dry bucket in your sled.    My Dry Bucket has saved me many times.  

• Spare Batteries
• Dry Gloves
• Extra Hat
• Extra lures and baits
• Hand warmer packs
• Lunch

If you know a friend who buys their pool chemicals at a warehouse store, they often come in buckets with screw on lids.   Perfect for staying dry in all weather.  Buy them a six pack of beer and they will save them up for you and your fishing pals.

That’s right, Skandia now has a NEW line of Tungsten Tear Drop Ice Jigs.  These great Tear Drops come in size 10 & 12 and in eight great fish catching colors.  We’ve been hearing for some time now that anglers wanted a Tungsten Tear Drop and Skandia now offers such an item.   These Tear Drop jigs will be a huge hit with the anglers and an even bigger hit with the fish.  Tip them with livebait or your favorite plastic and see what happens.  Panfish are sure to love the new heavy weight Tear Drop and so will you.  So next time you’re at your favorite sporting goods store be sure to ask for the NEW Skandia Tungsten Tear Drops, you’ll be glad you did…..

Source: Fix.com

Hey our sponsors provide us with some really awesome gear!   And now several of them have made that gear available for sale to you.   Are you ready to fish with the best equipment and show your pride in USA Ice Team?    Check out these products, we love them and fish with them all the time.

Best of all they will donate part of the proceeds to USA Ice Team!