| The rough, unruly winters are that time of | | | | falling through into the icy water. However, |
| the year in the US calendar when white is | | | | this fear of angler (s) can be alleviated |
| everywhere underfoot. Never mind the chilling | | | | with an equipment called the spud bar. |
| winds, as soon as there is some glazing of | | | | Basically an iron rod with a chisel tip used |
| ice on the rivers, outdoorsmen and avid | | | | to check the safety of the ice, it is an |
| angler (s) make like holy men and walk on | | | | essential piece of equipment of ice fishing |
| water in search of hot fishing action, | | | | anglers in various areas in northern Illinois |
| popularly known as "ice fishing". A simple | | | | and southern Wisconsin. Not much ice |
| sport where you just drill a hole and catch | | | | fishermen in the US own this equipment, |
| fish, there is more to it than simple outdoor | | | | though. But in spite of the fear factor, |
| entertainment. Yes, not many angler (s) are | | | | there actually are some avid anglers who get |
| supposed to know that somewhere between the | | | | real crazy about ice fishing on river |
| hole drilling and the fish catching, millions | | | | backwaters, the Great Lakes, and on early and |
| of dollars is spent on equipment. It is an | | | | late ice (when it is the most dangerous). Can |
| astonishing fact that every year, there are | | | | you believe, there are those who have fallen |
| quite a number of wealthy individuals and | | | | through over a dozen times, driven |
| industries who are quite instrumental in | | | | snowmobiles and ATVs off into the abyss, and |
| supporting the ice fishing product economy, | | | | all this for an eight-inch bluegill or an |
| with some of them willing to shell out for | | | | eighteen inch trout fish? |
| every new gadget that hits the ice market. | | | | |
| | | | Nowadays the various fishing industries has |
| The purpose of such investment in the ice | | | | come up with great lures and fishing bait |
| fishing market is to promote the cause of ice | | | | equipment that are just ideal for Ice Fishing |
| fishing among the angling community. Coupled | | | | as well as open water summer fishing. There |
| with it is the lure of camaraderie, which | | | | are several high quality ice fishing lures |
| binds an angler to another in the ice fishing | | | | that expert ice fishermen desired. Ratso, |
| sport. Whether you are huddled together on | | | | Shrimpo, Finesse Plastics, Ant and Rat |
| four inches of ice on a frozen lake in | | | | Finkee all have been used with great success |
| Illinois with your lures, fishing bait, or a | | | | by anglers all year round. |
| group of permanent shacks is parked on two | | | | |
| feet of ice in northern Minnesota, the | | | | Some of the most used fishing bait (s) that |
| fishing takes a back seat to the total | | | | angler (s) use for ice fishing are as |
| outdoors experience. If you are somewhat a | | | | follows: |
| foodie, all you do is step on any frozen lake | | | | |
| any time of day and get into a group of ice | | | | -Wax Worms, Preserved Natural Baits: These |
| fishermen and you will smell chili, stew, | | | | are genuine cream-color wax worms naturally |
| spaghetti, soup, beanie weenies, coffee or | | | | preserved to retain their original |
| hot chocolate on someone's burner. Remember | | | | consistency, scent and fish-catching power. |
| the old adage: "food tastes better on the ice | | | | |
| than in the kitchen". | | | | -Shiner Minnows (Large): Natural, wild |
| | | | minnows preserved to retain their life-like |
| That said, it must be also admitted that the | | | | appearance. |
| most favorite ice fishing targets are to be | | | | |
| enjoyed with the family. If you are equipped | | | | -White Fly Flicks, Specialty Pork: The |
| with proper fishing lures, fishing tackle, | | | | tiniest pork rind made, used to catch |
| fishing bait and other fishing equipment for | | | | panfish, trout, salmon, bass, shad, pompano, |
| ice fishing, there is nothing like the thrill | | | | small channel bass. |
| of pulling a trophy northern pike or a | | | | |
| trophy-sized trout fish through the ice. With | | | | -Grass Shrimp, Preserved Natural: Miniature, |
| a proper game plan and the right equipment | | | | whole grass shrimp naturally preserved to |
| (including your choice of lures and fishing | | | | maintain life-like scent and appearance. |
| bait), you can set yourself up to put some | | | | |
| beautiful fish up on the ice. | | | | -Real Maggots: Preserved Natural: Genuine |
| | | | multi-colored maggots naturally preserved, |
| With all the pluses ice fishing has going for | | | | with tender inside and tough outer skin. |
| it, there is still a multitude of anglers who | | | | |
| have never ventured out for ice fishing with | | | | With all these fishing bait (s) and lures, an |
| their fishing lures, tackles and fishing bait | | | | angler can create a game plan to give him the |
| (s). May be they don't ice fish because they | | | | highest opportunity possible to catch the |
| are scared of walking on a frozen lake and of | | | | monsters on the waters. |