I’ve loved the fresh water lakes and freshwater fishing since I was a baby and would still rather spend time at the lake. My grandparents were ardent fisher people and so was my father. Some of the tips I know come from them, some I learned from pro fishermen or guides and others I learned on my own.

I like northern pike fishing best but walleye fishing runs a close second. However if the pike or walleyes aren’t biting I enjoy catching crappies, perch and other panfish as well. You know how it is. Just catch what’s biting and have fun with it.

I’ve had more than a few fishing boats from a small 12 foot aluminum to a 20 foot totally rigged out fishing boat. Aluminum, fiberglass and even wood. A couple of pleasure boats to because you do need to keep the wife happy now and then. I’ve even taught girlfriends who thought they’d hate fishing, to fish and to even love it. All they had to do was catch a few and they were hooked. Lol, pun intended.

There are a few things I find absolutely neccessary for ice fishing gear. An ice auger is the very first one. A powered ice auger at that. Drilling holes with hand power or chopping them with a ice spud just doesn’t get it. To much work.

I’ve had eskimo ice fishing augers and a couple of others. !0 inch is better but an 8 inch will work just fine. Most of the ice fishing augers are good, just be sure you get one with enough horsepower to get the job done.

Next on my list are ice fishing shelters. I’m to old and get cold to fast to be standing out on the ice. You can buy portable ice fishing shelters pretty cheap. They really are worth the money if you do a lot of winter time fishing.

The next thing I can’t do without is my flasher. Preferably a Vexilar but an old Eagle 60 will also do. Lol, when fishing deeper water so you can see what’s going on it’s a lot like playing a nintendo game with the fish. You can see your jig and the fish so you can try different things to get them to hit.