Chas was on with Steve and Brett talking about Ice Safety.
Archive for the SiteNews Category
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.
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.
This Saturday at the Sportsman’s Dollar Ice Show there will be two “FREE” ice fishing seminars. Join Chas Thompson and Steph Sissell from the Michigan Ice Guys to learn all about the latest equipment, gadgets and common-sense items to get you on and off the ice with a limit of fish. They will tie things together using science, creativity, common sense and the internet and how it can help you become a better ice angler. Chas & Steph will also demonstrate to new fisherman, as well as seasoned anglers their methods and tricks that they use to catch more fish.
Date – Saturday, December 17th
Seminar – 11:00 AM
Location – 53 E. Lake St, Sand Lake, MI 49343
Store Hours – 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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. 
Snelling a horizontal jig onto your line keeps the jig from swinging down into a vertical position. Chad takes a couple minutes to give us a demonstration.
Chad takes time to show us a Michigan Rig. A drop fly above a jig on the same line.
If you have been listening the last few episodes, you will have heard about our new program. We want to come fishing with you.
We are always looking to explore new lakes and sometimes it is the little things that hold us back.
- Where to park
- Is the Ice thick enough to make the drive
- An invite?
If you have a favorite lake and would like some help, advice or just someone to go fishing with, fill out the form at Ask an Ice Guy and let’s talk.
And if we can arrange to come fish with you we will bring it! 
- Our state of the art equipment to help find more fish
- A team of Ice Pros to drill the hell out of your lake to find fish
- Bait
- A K&E Gift Pack (Jigs & stuff)
- A Sissell original hand crafted rod
- One of Jake’s Palm Rods
- Possible be featured on an upcoming podcast
We want to fish! So let us know who and where you are. BTW – We can keep a secret of where the lake is if you want, but it is up to you! We want to profile your adventure on the podcast.
Have you clicked the link yet? Ask an Ice Guy!
After hearing about many people falling through the ice, Steve Kelly from WOOD-FM reached out and asked me to do a reminder on safety. Over the past weekend we read about the three guys in Allegan and the two guys in Fruitport going through. For those of us that follow the chat boards and facebook groups, we have heard of many others.
So I felt it was time to just put out there a reminder to take and use your spud when walking out on the ice. Our roller coaster weather in Michigan has given us a dangerous season. Springs, creeks, and storm drains all can erode ice from below. These can be difficult to see when you have snow covered ice. Three hard whacks with a sharp spud can give you a lot of confidence walking out. Don’t go alone! Personally a floating ice suit is an additional comfort when venturing out. Many of you have your ice picks, but where do you have them? Zippered up in a hard to reach pocket? Nicely wrapped up in your bucket? I like to replace the string on them with some paracord and put them through the sleeves of my coat. Yes, just like grandma did with my mittens. I want them where they are useful if I go in or need to crawl out to rescue someone else.
When it comes time to talk rescue, one of the keys is to make sure your not going in as well. 25-30 feet of rope can really help keep you dry during a rescue. Mine have clips on the ends so I can attach a PFD or even my sled to help get it out to the person in the water. I just use paracord and some carabiners in a small stuff sack. Amazon has one for under 20 bucks that you can take on the boat in the summer as well. I also am a fan of some real aggressive slip protection. I wear Kahtoolas, but there are a lot of aggressive brands out there, just find some that meet your needs and give you the traction to pull on that rope or climb that hill back to the truck.
After you get them out of the ice, the next few minutes are critical. Get them to the truck, or other shelter and get the wet clothes off the victim. I have found that several of my friends have swimming pools and buy chemicals in buckets with screw top lids. I repurposed one into my dry bucket. Sweatpants, hoodie and some slippers. All easy to get on. I tried the jeans over cold wet legs once, once. If you have room in your dry kit an old towel is a smart addition. After you have them dry get them to a warm place. The day is over, you want to watch to make sure they don’t need medical attention. Hypothermia is nothing to mess with.
In summary, be safe out there guys.
It’s Show Time!
Come out this weekend January 24 – 26 to the largest hunting show in Michigan, the Hunting Time Expo in Grand Rapids. This show will be jam packed with tons of stuff for the person who loves to fish or hunt. Besides the great deals on hunting gear and guided hunts don’t forget the hot deals on fishing tackle and accessories. A large selection of ice tackle along with summer fishing tackle and gear will be on hand. Also, local pros and experts will be available answering your questions and holding informative seminars.
For more details on the seminars and times of the show go to HuntingShows.net and we’ll see you at the show!
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