Ice Fishing Gear Check List

Ice fishing in Iowa is just around the corner, is your gear ready? With the first few weeks of ice fishing always being the best you can take full advantage of this hot action if you're ready. Here's a check list to help you get ready, or if your new to ice fishing to purchase.

The first piece of gear to get ready is your ice auger. Check that your blades are sharp, and if not have the blades sharpened or purchase new ones. Whether you use a hand auger or power auger either one will cut much better with sharp blades. It's also very important to make sure your auger will start if it's gas powered. Gas powered augers are powered by stroke motors so it would also be a good idea to put in a new spark plug.

Have you replaced the fishing line on your fishing reels since putting your gear away last season? If not be sure to do it now, as you sure don't want to loose that big one! For most panfish 2lb test is all you will need and will also allow you detect the lightest of strikes. For perch and walleyes bump up to 4lb test. You may also want to consider a hi-visibility line. This allows you see a pick-up that causes your line to go slack, which you can only see, not feel.

Make sure you have your favorite lures and hooks on hand as certain lures and hooks can be hard to find and might have to be ordered by your local bait shop.

Is the battery still good for your portable sonar unit and charged? Can you find your charger? Now is the time to find out, not the night before you're fishing. If your old fish finder is not what you really have in mind for the upcoming season be sure to check out the Vexilar flashers, they work great.

Got the mothballs out of your ice fishing shanty? Make you have all the pieces to set it up and every thing is in good shape. Now's the time for repair versus the middle of season. This is also a good time to clean the windows. You can also make the zippers work easier and last longer by lubricating it with a bar of soap. Just open the doors and rub the bar of soap up and down the zipper.

Is your propane tank full? Have plenty of mantles for your lantern? There is a lot to do this time of year, but make the time between your hectic schedule to get your ice-fishing gear into shape. Time is running out, ice season will be here sooner than you think.