Test Drive: Abu Garcia Veritas ice Rod & Reel Combo - Review

I can't believe it took me this long to get to my first "test drive" of the 2014 ice season. But as you know I don't take these things lightly and really wanted to put the Abu Garcia Ice Combo  through its paces prior to stepped up to my pedestal. 

Abu Garcia has enjoyed some great success with their line of Veritas rods, so much so that they decided to introduce an ice model. I was very intrigued by this combo when I first saw it, and even more so when i handled one in a local shop. I'm not a Abu guy, Ive never owned an Abu rod or reel prior to this combo, so you can believe me when I tell you that this review is truly my first impression .

Pro's:

The Abu Veritas Ice rod is build with some of the same characteristics that made its big brother popular, It's well built, highly flexible (move over uglystick) and has a great grip for jigging on ice. I like the weight, the length and the powers that this rod is available in (though I have no idea why they list the rod length in feet and not inches like every other ice rod maker) 

Available in Ultra Light, Medium Light and Medium powers the Abu has lined itself up as a great pan fish rod for perch, gills and even slab crappies. I put mine to the test on both pan fish and smaller walleye and have no concerns with it's performance.

The Reel that comes on this combo is better then most stock reels. For those that know me, you know I'm not one to buy combo's but instead pair a Tica Cetus reel with a nice rod, in this case I decided to give the combo a shot and I was impressed with the drag and overall performance.. that being said if I was to buy a second one, it would be a rod only.

In my use of the combo thus far I get the feeling that it is very durable, which is great for ice rods that get beat up slightly more then open water rods, this is even more important for an all white rod that may get stepped on from time to time (yep that happened) 

Cons:

In all honesty I didn't really come across all that many cons when it comes to this ice fishing combo other then the price.. coming in on average at $49 a combo Abu has priced themselves to compete with Frabill who in all honesty makes a better ice fishing combo.

The Vertias Ice combo is closer in comparison to the rods made by Clam, that retail between $19-$29 a combo. The reel on the Veritas is nicer then the ones that come with Clam ice rods, but not enough for me to shell out $49 (CDN) when I can take my pick of Frabill rods for similar money

I'm also not all that sold on a "white" ice fishing rod, check out the above pic of the walleye , if not for the black guides this rod is nearly invisible on snow and ice. It your a dead-stick angler or like to set up rods on a tip-down or slammer this rod is hard to see from any distance

Where to Buy:

Abu Garcia

Dicks

Test Drive Frabill Straighline 241 Rod & Reel Review

This is officially my 3rd rod test drive of the 2013 season, all 3 have been straight-line combos and all three have their pros and cons.. that statement definitely applies to the Bro Series 241 by Frabill.. one of the first Frabill products to let me down over the past few years

Pros

I have been impressed with the production of Frabills ice rods over the past few years, their quality continues to go up along with the available options. Many of their recent rods are comparable to early Jason Mitchell rods (prior to the move to Clam) and are worth the $$ that most stores are asking for them. The quick tip series is my favourite (followed by the beefier ice hunter series) The QT have a nice soft responsive tip yet enough backbone to pull monster panfish out of the depths . The red beaded tip is a great option in place of a standard spring bobber and gives you the visibility you want without sacrificing tip 

The reel on the 241 combo is a bruiser, and easily one of the strongest straight-line ice fishing reels I have used. It's all metal frame and spool provide strength and durability. The drag system is pretty decent but can get a bit clunky at times. The Metal frame is not as much of an issue as you would suspect and I have to admit I liked the way it felt in my hands even at colder temps. It is a nice size and overall the balance of this combo is pretty good (not great, but a good solid B+)

Cons

The biggest con to this rod is the price point, this baby will hurt your wallet coming in at  an average cost of between $69 and $81 depending on which side of the border you are ordering from (and we haven't talked shipping yet). ..It is a nice piece of equipment but it isn't worth the asking price (not by a long shot)

If you read my articles with any regularity you will note that I fish right hand retrieve or "goofy" as I like to call it. This is on all reels, spinning, bait casting, and yes straight-line. This mean that I spend a lot of time switching all my reels over when I first purchase them. The Frabill 241 is the most awkward, and most time consuming of all the straight-line reels I own.. not only does it require a screwdriver but it requires more patience then I will ever have. God forbid you need to make this change when on the ice, as there is a good change your fingers will fall off prior to getting the job done.

Above I mentioned in passing that the drag on this reel can get a bit clunky, well that goes double for the retrieve, at times this reel can sound like a garbage disposal chewing up a beer can. It is that bad, and at times the reel sounds like it is going to come apart in your hands.. it doesn't, but the sound alone has made my put this rod down a few times and opt for a quieter model.

I have no issues with this rod at all, it is a quality stick, well build and is close to perfect, but Im a staunch promoter of ice rods without reel seats.. this one is well placed but I prefer my hockey tape (I'am Canadian you know)

If I have not scared you off with this less then enthusiast review on one of the most expensive combos on the market, then you may be interested to know where you can get your mitts on one.. check out the below links, these rods are on sale in most areas so grab one now and save your self some change

Where to buy:

Fish USA

Reeds Sporting Goods

Frabill

Test Drive: Genz Ice Spooler Rod & Reel Review (Clam)

To be honest I had all but given up on Clam rods & reels about 3 years ago. The quality of the product was dropping rapidly (the reels always sucked, but the rods were decent). But this year when I saw the Clam or Genz Ice Spooler I thought I would take the plunge and give then another shot.. the review of my experience on ice with this combo is a mixed one and the reverse of what I would have expected.

If this test drive was a Clint Eastwood movie it would be called "The Good, The Ok, and the Ugly" always wanting to end on a positive note (when I can) Im going to start this test drive off with the Rod..

The "Ugly":

The rood that accompanies the ice spooler combo suffers from some of the same issues I experienced with my last couple clam/Genz rods.. for example the guides on my rod do not match up, sure I can adjust them by hand but they continue to slide or twist.

Taking into consideration that this rod was designed for panfish I still have to say I found it on the flimsy side. I was hoping to use it for Gills, Perch and Crappie yet it did not handle well in the test drive and was the reason I lost a multiple mythic lake Simcoe Jumbo Perch.. the rod could not keep up and it felt dead or unresponsive in my hands.. I could not feel the fish, where it was going or if I was moving it at all. 

The "OK":

 Not taking action of the rod into consideration I have to say this rod and reel combo feel really nice in your hand, they are well balanced and sit comfortably. It actually gives you a false sense of comfort when you start fishing only to be obliterated when you actually get a fish on and the rod lets you down

The reel itself I have mostly good things to say about (see below) but one of the things that is only "ok" is that unlike the comfort you get when you first put the rod and reel in your hands is the lack of comfort you get when you start to reel, it feels cheap and flimsy, the plastic rubs and you start to worry "how long will this reel last?" 

The "Good"

Dont get confused by the above comments, the Ice Spooler reel feels cheap when you first palm it, but overall it is a well built (yet simple) straight-line reel. It has a good drag system and allows for better drop rates then the other straight-line reels I have been lucky enough to test drive. It pairs really well with the Clam ice line I bought a couple season back and have not used as I found it to be a coily mess.. who knew Clam would release a line that only worked on straight-line reels years before they released a straight-line reel.. now thats thinking ahead.

I really like the extended neck (or handle) on the reel as it helps with palming , as well as the overall balance (again this is a perfectly balanced combo). Another perk is the ease of with you can switch the retrieve, as mentioned previously I fish "goofy" and thus have to spend time switching over all my reels, this one was easy, here is a link if your having issues..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNIfujo2oic

The Results:

As stated above this test drive is a mixed bag, and I feel that although the concept and idea of the ice spooler was headed in the right direction and has many things going for it, overall it has been stifled   by cheap manufacturing and shotty workmanship..  the reel itself is a great little panfish reel and if sold separately I would be willing to use it on another rod... just not this one

Test Drive: 13 Fishing Black Betty Rod & Reel Review

I truly did not know what to make of all the hype that surrounds 13 Fishing and their Black Betty ice fishing reels. I for one am a "don't believe the hype" kinda guy, but I'm also the first in line to give new rods, reels (or any equipment really) a test drive. So, that being said this past off season I picked up a Black Betty combo and have been dreaming of ice ever since.

I'm going to start this test drive off by giving you a little background on 13Fishing, as they are a still a newcomer on the rod market having only opened their doors for the first time back in 2010. They have since exploded onto the scene showing up at ICAST 2012 and on every fishing related board you can imagine.. they even understand the social media side of marketing and can be found on Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and more. They  bring a fun playful approach to getting their product seen, and so far I like what I see when it comes to their line of Ice Fishing rods.

Ok, enough with the introduction lets get into the test drive.

The Black Betty ice fishing combo is 13 fishing's initiation into the fast growing "straight-lining" market . This is where you would usually expect to see a quote like "this ain't your daddy's reel" but in all honestly, that's exactly what it is. 13Fishing has bucked the trend of over designing their reel trying to catch fisherman and instead and developed a bare bones stripped down reel that feels great in your hands and catches what is was meant to catch.. fish

Pros:

The Black Betty reel is really a thing of beauty, the longer drop down neck allows you to comfortably pistol grip the reel and it sits perfectly balanced with the rod. The aluminum frame and graphite rod blank make this combo nice and light, yet very durable.. I was not worried about dropping it while making the mad dash for a flag.

13Fishing may have stripped down the innards of this reel, but they made sure they spent the money where it counted. Including an over sized handle know. This is great for those cold days on the ice in which you need to reel with gloves on. Some other reels out there have not yet grasped the importance of this, or if they have, the reel sells at a premium.

The Drag control on the Black Betty will work it's way into both the "Pro" and the "Con" section of this review. On the Pro side, the drag is easy to loosen and gives the Black Betty the best drop rate of any of my 6 straight-line combos. Many of the competitors reels require that you hand pull line off the reel to keep up a good drop rate on your jig or spoon, not the black Betty, it has the ability to almost free-spool down the hole when loosened.

I was a bit weary of the metal (aluminum) body of this reel, but so far I have found that it stays nice and loose even in cooler temps. With less gears, and mechanisms there is less places for water to get in and freeze up while on the ice.

If I was snowboarder they would say that I fish "goofy" which just means that I spent a lot of time reversing the reel direction on every reel I have ever purchased. So for me the ease or making this switch needs to be covered. Statement: the Black Betty was the quickest and easiest change over of any straight-line reel I have owned (nuff said)

Cons:

Nothing is perfect, and there are a few minor issues with this reel. Lets start off with the obvious, the smooth cork drag will take some getting use to for anglers that have never really used a fly reel or  are use to some of the more expensive straight-lining reels currently available. It took some playing around for me to find my sweet spot, and I still found myself adjusting it while on the ice (trying to get a fast drop but wanting support when the fish hit).

The line guide bar can also mess with your drag if you are not careful. Yes there is a little wrench you can use to tighten/loosen the guide bar, but it is not something I will carry on the ice with me, and again I found that the line guide loosened forcing my to hand tighten which in turn tightened my drag.. (this may be confusing to follow, but if you own one of these I bet you know what I'm talking about)

I'm on the fence to whether or not to include the price point of these combo's into the "con" section of this review. Not to long ago spending more then $30 on your ice fishing rod/reel would mean you were a rich man, but nowadays you can spend upwards of $80 on a rod alone (Thorne Bros) and easily drop another $30 on a matching reel (my wallet agrees with me). But the Black Betty reel is a very stripped down version of what other companies have brought to the table, yet the reel is still priced up with or above some of the competition. Is it worth the $59 price tag, my answer is yes

The Wrap-Up

The Black Betty rod and reel from 13 Fishing has really been a pleasure to fish it, it's stripped down look and feel make it durable and trustworthy even when fishing in some of the nastiest conditions a Canadian winter has to offer.

I spent the majority of the time here focusing on the Black Betty reel, but feel I should also give the rod it's due. I have been fishing with the 24" UL combo and find the rod to be highly responsive yet sturdy enough to hand lighter weight spoons and heavy tungsten jigs. I like the length and it's feel while in my hand. I see some more Black Betty combos in my future

Test Drive: Whip'r Ice Rod

Each season I get the "bug" or "itch" to hit the ice way too early, and with no ice in sight the only way I can scratch that itch is by buying new ice gear. If you are a www.iceshanty.com member you have no doubt seen my annual thread entitled "building my arsenal" that follows my purchases throughout each ice season. 

Back in pre-ice 2012 one of the products that made it on that list was the Whip'r rod by K&E Lures. I had heard some decent hype about this decently priced rod, and being a gill chaser, it looks like it would fill a nice hole in my current arsenal.. boy was I wrong 

Pros:

Don't miss-understand the above statement, this rod is not all bad (more like a bad experience). The rod itself has many redeeming qualities. First off, it comes in a great selection of sizes, I personally prefer to fish medium to longer rods, so having the option of picking up a 28", 36" and even a 48" is a big perk. (there is a con to follow.. see below)

The tip of these rods is sweet, it has great flex and has the perfect feel for small bait pan fishing. One this not common on ice rods is a reel seat, so to see this on a lower priced rod is odd, and a nice perk. The rod is well balanced so the addition of the reel seat should not effect your fishing. But if you are the kinda guy that likes the ability to move the reel around the find the sweet spot, this rod is not for you.

The Whip'r rod is available by itself or in a combo, as always I will recommend not getting the reel as more often then not these are an after thought and not the quality you want when on the ice.

Cons:

I will start off by finishing the above paragraph in the "pros"section about the rod length. The lengths you see on on the website are deceiving as this rod has a very long handle and extended butt. For Example the 48" rod has an 11" handle making the rod fish more like a 36" rod then a 48". This is even more of an issue on the shorter rods, the fishing end of the 24" rod is very short and even tiny reels like a Tica Cetus (seen above) look huge and weighty. I don't usually fish with a rod under 24" and would not have ordered the 24" if I knew it was so short

A bigger concern then the rod length is the overall durability. My Whip'r rod lasted one outing, one fish, one hook set actually. As you can see from the below image the rod snapped through the blank just above the cork. This was extremely disappointing and left a bad taste in my mouth, so much so that I did not bother reporting the issue or replacing the rod

I was very surprised by the rods response. As mentioned in the "Pro" section the Whip'r has a nice tip and seemed to respond well down the blank. I'm not sure if it seized up in the colder temps causing the loss of action and in turn the blank snapped. Either way a rod designed for ice fishing should hold up to the cold, and a rod designed for pan fish should hold up to medium sized crappies

Below are some of the crappies we landed on the trip in which i snapped my Whip'r rod. As you can see although nice fish they are by no means monsters and any rod calling itself "the ultimate panfish' rod should have been able to handle them. So if you are in the market for pan fish rod that can handle gills, perch and crappie.. keep looking

Choosing the Right Portable Shelter: Part 2

In part 1 of Choosing the Right Portable  we discussed the many traps that anglers fall into when choosing their first (or 5th) portable Shelter. In Part 2 we are going to look at 3 different styles of portable and the pro's and con's of each. I will be focusing on Flip-Overs, Cabin Style, as well as Hub Style portables. There are other options out there (including tents) but these 3 are the most common and the current standard in the Industry.

FLIP-OVER Shelter:

I'm starting off in the Flip-Over category, not only because of  my bias, but also because in my area it is the predominant model I see when on the ice. Flip-over shelters are that perfect mix of fishability and portability without giving up too much comfort. In my personal opinion they are the best place to start when shopping for a portable (yes my bias is showing)

                                                       (Photo by IceShanty Member: Himo)

Pros:

This is an easy one, a flip-over shelter is by far the quickest on-ice set-up of the three. You get to a spot, drill your holes, and flip the lid.. bam, your fishing. Both Cabin style and Hub style shelters require assembly on the ice, and cold hands and cold fingers can make for a slow set-up

I spent a lot of my time jigging as well as tip-up fishing at the same time. The Flip-over shelter offers me what I call "the quick escape". So when I hear or see my flag pop, I just grab a side bar/arm and flip the lid back  and go running. No messing with zippers, or latches, just flip and run (and yes you will still miss Flags)

Comfort is a big perk when it comes to flip-over shelters. Most come equipped with seats that slide/spin and flip up and down. This ensures anglers of all sizes can get as close or as far away from their hole as they want. By sliding the seat back you have more legroom, and by pulling it forward you are nearly looking down the hole sight fishing. These seats do add weight and $$ to a portable, but believe me they are worth every penny for long days on the ice

The sled shape bottom that most (if not all) flip-over shelters come equipped with make them an easy pull on the ice or in the snow. Cabin style shelters are flat bottomed (for the most part) and can dig-in or bury themselves in the snow while you pull them.

                                                   (Photo by IceShanty Member: wyoutdoors)

Con's

There are more pro's then cons when it comes to fishing out of a flip-over shelter, but they are no means perfect. Two big Cons of fishing from a flip-over both have to do with the cold getting in. The first of these is the most obvious and that that there is no floor, so your feet are on the ice/slush at all times, and if you don't have a good boot, or are susceptible to getting cold toes, then this may not be the shelter for you. The second way the cold gets in is around the skirt. If the ice/terrain is not level the skirt will not always sit properly on the ice and any breeze will blow through and further chill your feet. Most anglers pack snow around the skirt to stop this from happening, this works but defeats two of the "Pros" (quick set-up & quick escape) and on lakes that get little to no snow, this is not a possibility.

Con #2 has to do with room inside a flip-over. Most of them are designed for sitting not standing and thus most of us cannot stand in our flip-overs. There is room in front of you while fishing, and most of us fill that space with Flashers, Camera's and Heaters, thus the rest of your gear needs to be stored in the sled beneath you. This can be awkward to get it (if not fishing solo) but it is better then no space at all.

The last con I will touch on is the weight of these shelters. As a "walker" Im constantly pulling a 100lb shelter packed with 30-40 pounds of gear. This can make for a long hard haul. Single man flip-overs reduce the weight, but also reduce the space (a 2 man is a good size for fishing solo. If you have a sled or ATV you will not experience this con, but we cant all be so lucky. 

Popular Flip-Over Shelters:

Clam Fish Trap: $209 - $949

Frabill: $199 - $799

Otter Outdoors: $349 - $1,049

Eskimo: $349 - $499

                                                 (Photo by IceShanty Member: deadduk)

Cabin Style (Pop-UP) Shelter:

Many anglers are drawn to Cabin style or "pop-up" shelters when making their first portable purchase. I believe this is because many of us cut our teeth in a friends permanent hut and the Cabin style shelter is modelled after these (ah the memories). Cab Style shelters have really changed in the past few years, getting larger and larger with more and more options inside and out, they are a great way to spend some time on the ice with a group of friends or family 

                                                    (Photo by IceShanty Member: Himo)

Pros:

A Cabin Style or Pop-Up shelter offers many perks to an ice angler. First and foremost on this list is comfort. Cabin Style huts are roomy, and often tall enough to stand in. The various sizes make it easy to fish in large groups and still store your gear. Most if not all Cabin Style Shelters include a floor, keeping your gear and your feet off the ice. This will keep you fishing longer and ensure your gear stays dry in the process.

It really amazes me on how large these cabins shelters can get nowadays. Some companies like Clam make card tables to fit in the middle of them, these have really become portable versions of a permanent hut. The Larger the hut the more weight they carry so keep this in mind when purchasing. 

                                                (Photo by IceShanty Member: coach)

Cons:

Above I stated that a Cabin Style huts share many if not most of the perks you use to only see in a permanent shelter. That being said it also shares the cons 

Because Cabin Shelters have a floor, there are limited areas in witch you are able to drill your hole, the floor actually dictates where you have to fish. If you fish with a Flasher and Camera, you need to watch the trap door size and ensure there is enough room to drill two holes side by side and in some cases a few feet apart. This is not an option in most lower end Cabin models. 

The Size of the portable dictates the comfort and the available room. Smaller 2-man shelters have little to no storage room, If you want to take advantage of  the perks of a Cabin style hut you really need to look at the larger models. When fishing from my old 2-man Cabin Style Shappell I had to leave all my gear outside when fishing with a buddy. Another issue directly related to the size of your Cabin Style hut, it how well it will hold up in windy conditions. Those large flat sides really take a beating in windy conditions and act like a kite that can see your hut blown down the ice if you step out during a gust. Ice cleats are available and will be needed in windy conditions (yet again more set-up and take down time required) 

The biggest downfall to a cabin style shelter is the on-ice set-up that is required each and every time you hit the ice (and during larger on-ice moves). This can entail packing up all your gear, un-assembling the hut, moving then reassembling the hut. Yes, each year new improvements make this a  quicker and easier process, but all in all there is always some assembly required. Furthermore Cabin Style shelters do not come with seats or the sled bottom seen on a flip-over model. This means less ability to carry gear while on the move and you will need to bring your own seats (camping chairs or buckets).

Popular Flip-Over Shelters:

Clam Fish Trap: $249

Frabill: $279

Shapelle: $249 - $379

(Photo by IceShanty Member: Himo)

Hub Style

I will be honest here and state that the Hub style shelter is one that I know the least about, and one I have never personally owned (although I have fished from one). I find them cumbersome, flimsy and a pain to set-up. That being said they continue to sell and I see more and more of them on the ice each year which means guys are using them. (who am I to judge). The best thing to compare a Hub style shelter to is a camping tent. They are bottomless and requite you to use poles to put them together when you get the spot you will be fishing

                                                (Photo by IceShanty Member: woodsman)

Pros:

You may think that opening paragraph was slightly bashing, and it was not meant to be. There are some obvious perks to Hub style shelters, and they include:

a very light weight design. Hub shelters can be found in the 30-40lbs range, this is dramatically less then both Cabin and Flip-over shelters which average over 80lbs and can be as high as 120lbs. Reducing weight is very important to guys like me who spend most of my time walking for spot to spot. Hub shelters like tents are "Bagged" so once un-assembled you slide them into their bag and then can carry them over your  shoulder or throw them into a sled with the rest of your gear.

Perk #2 is that they are roomy, and contain no floor whatsoever. This allows you to set-up your gear (and holes) however you want. This is great for guys fishing with flashers or cameras.(or in large groups)

Last but not least, Hub style shelters are more affordable then their Flip-over or Cabin style counterparts, this is mainly because they require far less parts (no sled, no base, no seats) This makes getting into your first shelter easier (as long as it has all the features you require) 

                                                 (Photo by IceShanty Member: adkRoy)

Cons:

Like with a Flip-over shelter the fact that there is no floor is both a pro and con (you have to decide). The lack of floor means your feet are on the ice all day long (as well as your gear) in turn this means cold feet and wet gear. You can pack accordingly and work around this, but it can be an issue for anglers not knowing what they are getting into.

On-ice set-up time can be more in-depth with Hub shelters then any other style of Shelter. We have all struggled setting up a tent and that's usually during warm dry weather. Like a Cabin Style shelter Hubs require some anchoring, if your lazy and don't anchor it, any little gust of wind can send it flying down the lake. Hubs have been on the ice for a few seasons now, but early (and cheaper) models had issues of collapsing in high winds. I believe this issue has been addressed, but it is something to be aware of.

Because Hub Style shelters are bottomless, they do not have any sled or storage areas when transporting them on/off the ice. A separate sled will need to be purchased to transport your gear and hut.

Popular Hub Shelters:

Clam Fish Trap: $149 - $449

Frabill: $199-$399

Eskimo $189-$289

                                                (Photo by IceShanty Member: pikemaster1)

The Wrap-Up

Well, that wraps up our 2-part look at choosing a portable shelter. I did my best to avoid Brand recognition as many of the top brands all deliver a good product and I believe feature/benefit is more important then the name of the side. I recommend doing your homework and getting in any shelter prior to purchasing it. You can drop by www.iceshanty.com and ask the members there for thoughts and opinions or leave a comment here.

Good luck, stay warm, dry, and more importantly "above the ice"

Gill Chasing on the Ice: Volume 3 - Jig & Bait Selection

For the final installment of this blog on chasing gill on the ice, we are going to focus on jig and bait selection. Obviously each lake in each reach region on each day may change or alter what works, but for the sake of trying Im going to share with you my top three jig & Spoon selections as well as what I like to use for bait.. both live and artificial .

 In my arsenal the two main categories of lure that I use for chasing gills are "micro jigs" and  "dropper spoons". The selection of Micro jigs has grown rapidly over the past 3 years with both lead and tungsten jigs available in all shapes, sizes and colors. My go to jigs consist of the following.

Custom Jigs & Spins: Gill Pill, the gill pill is the original when it comes to micro jigs with "gill" in the name. This tiny high quality jigs has a flattened base that give the jig a slight flutter when falling in the water. With 10 color options in 5 sizes you will have not trouble finding one that works on your lake on any given day.

Bait selection when fishing a gill pill can differ. Some anglers will fish the GP naked, but I prefer to tip it with a few live wax worms or some berkley gulp waxies. Both hang off the hook well, and still leave enough of the point open to ensure a good hook-up.

For color and size dont be afraid to test out a bunch to see what works on your lakes.. but for me you cant go wrong with the black/white and a glow. As for sizes I kinda hang out in the middle and usually purchase 12's or 14's.

Link: CJ&S Gill Pill

Fishkas Wolf Ram Jig are very similar to the look and feel of  CJ&S's collection of jigs, the wolframs have one big difference.. they are tungsten, and will allow you to use smaller jigs and still get back down to that school of gills much faster then when using lead. 

Wolfram jigs are available in hand painted, epoxy and metalic and come in way more colors then most jigs on the market today  But at over $2 a piece they are a bit pricey.Due to the extra weigh you can afford to look at using smaller jig selection, Wolframs come in 5 sizes including a size 20.. for those keeping score that jig is listed at 2mm ( a bit small for my taste)

My color preferences in the wolfram line-up are geared towards the pinks, I love the "pink face" and "glow pink". If you want to try the epoxy line out be sure to check out the "glow spot" and the "black glow spot"

the below link is only place I have ever seen wolfram jigs.. if you plan to buy some, be sure to check out the Asso line as well (see Volume 2)

Link: Wolfram Jigs

The last jig on my list is the Arnold Fairy Jig also known as a flutter jig. This is a great jig to start your day off with and works great when tipped with maggots or wax worms

The flutter jig comes in a few color options but almost always has copper blades. I use the pink version the most, followed closely by the green version. The orange very rarely sees the ice, unless I lend when to a friend (yeah Im that kinda guy). The blades on these jigs really attract attention and seem to call gills in from all around. The only real down fall to the flutter jig is they have a very slow fall rate. with little weight and flutter blades, this jig will cause you fits if you are fishing in water over 20ft deep.

Link: Arnold Fairy Jig

Ok, so that should cover you on the jig side of things, but there are times when jigs just wont cut it, and when that happens you need to give a spoon a shot. There are three spoons I will turn to when the bite gets tuff, and they are sure to do some damage.

Cj&S not only hit it out of the park on their gill jig selection, but the Slender Spoon is also one of the best all around spoons I have ever used. I buy these babies in bulk in all sizes as they are fish slaying machines for all species. (Gills, Walleye, Perch, Crappie, Splake and I've lost a few to pike as well)

Like the gill pill CJ&S makes these spoons in a variety and sizes, I find that the 1/16 and 1/8 sizes are perfect for gill fishing. The 1/16 I will fish as is, but the 1/8 i will remove the stock treble and add a dropper hook, either a hali chain style hook or small treble. These spoons like the above jigs can be tipped with waxies, maggots and/or gulp waxies and maggots. With baits like these I may also increase the bait size and try out a pinhead minnow or a minnow head (real or artificial). Color selection for gills, I like to use a silver/red or silver/blue version. 

Link: Slender Spoon

If you like your spoons with a little more weight to them, then you are looking for a Hali  Sukkula or just Hali for short. These heavy duty spoons (I use the term loosely) will get you down into the water column fast and will really announce your presence if you bang then around on the bottom a bit. 

These are available in various colors and sizes, but I kinda like the 35mm size when gill fishing. Again in these spoons I like lighter colors and like to have a little blue in there. 

The dropper hooks are great for gill fishing but are very small, so when pairing with bait be sure to look for smaller sizes as well. Pinhead minnows are great on these hooks and so are the standard waxies. A tip to remember is that you should invest in extra hooks, the light gauge wire hooks will be bend easily with use, and even more so if you need pliers to remove them from the fishes mouth

I will also note that I hate the damn packaging, the shrink wrap gets caught up on the hooks and chains and is a pain in the ass to pull free. I have damaged more then one bait just opening the package

Link: Hali Spoons

The last spoon on my must have Gill list is a Northland Eyedropper , these spoons are available in a couple designs, one with a single hook permanently attached (known as the eye dropper jig), and the second version has a removable treble (known as the eye dropper spoon). I prefer option 2 when gill fishing, and I remove the treble and replace it with either a Hali chain or a northland dropper. 

The small face of the eyedropper spoon gives off great flash but is not imposing. I love to fish this bait with live minnows and or minnow heads. The light weight spoon allows a live minnow to make it flutter with ease and allows you to almost deadstick it, while still getting some nice action.

Although available in a few colors I like to stick with "perch", "glo-perch" and occasionally "shiner", they are nice lite colors and give off some serious flash for various species. I will add that this is a slow falling spoon, so try to avoid using it in 20ft of water or more. I like to use this spoon in 15ft and under.

Link: Northland Eyedropper Spoon

The last tip I will leave you with is in regards to bait. You heard me mention both live and artificials, I like to travel with both, as both have their place. If you want to try live wax worms, but dont know where to start, try your local pet shop. This is standard Lizzard/reptile food, and they usually have it available in bulk. If you want to lean towards the artifically side, you cant really go wrong with Gulp waxies, they look and fell like the real thing. I stick with natural colors, but will also carry a neon green as a last ditch effort. Gulp also makes a minnow head bait, this also works great on all panfish, it is the perfect bite size piece without having to rip heads off.

So thats it, now you know my secrets to success when chasing gills on the ice. Just like any other species, good gear is the key. And by no means does this cover all that is available to the gill chaser today, companies like Jammin jigs  just missed my list (although they would be on my crappie list) and Northland also has a  line of "Gill Getter", so be sure to try a few of these out the next time your on the ice in search of gills, and let me know how it works out for you

till next time, be safe and enjoy the ice

Gill Chasing on the Ice: Volume 2 - Reel & Line Selection

Ok, so in volume 1 of this 3 part blog we tackle rod selection, but obviously if you plan on doing some fishing with that rod you will need two more important items.. a reel and a quality ice line.

Let s start off with the reel. There are three types of reel available that work well when chasing gills on the ice. I only use two of them.. 1000 or 500 Series Spinning reels and Straight-line reels (better know as Fly reels). (The Schooley style reel is also popular, but not really my thing)

Spinning Reels:

When it comes to Spinning reels there are 100's available to choose from and they can range in price from $9 and up to $600. But you dont need to spend $600 or even $100 on a panfish reel, personally i believe you can find a high quality reel starting as low as  $30 and going as high as about $60 depending on your budget. The two reels Im going to focus on today both fall within that price range, one is at the entry price point of $29.99 and the second is at the top of this scale averaging about $50.. both reels are quality, durable reels that stand up to the brutal conditions you experience while on the ice and can help you tame the toughest of gills.

Shimano Sienna - $29.99

If there is one thing that shimano does real well, its making fishing reels, and even more so, it is making fishing reels for every budget. A friend of mine stumbled across the Shimano Sienna a couple seasons back and could not stop raving about it's on ice capability. I was a little skeptical but was willing to give it a shot... and Im glad i did

the Sienna comes in 2 ice fishing friendly sizes.. the 1000 and the 500, but for my money the 500 is the reel you want when on the ice for gills. It has less weight then the 1000 series but still maintains the quality drag that makes this reel a steal at $29.99

A 4 ball bearing reel, the Sienna is very smooth and holds up pretty well in cold conditions. The 500 size is not available at all retailers, and can be hard to find unless you have a good local shop that fully supports ice fishing. I will also warn you that it comes in two versions a front drag (FD) and Rear drag (RD). The Front drag version is the superior reel

Shimano Sienna 500 FD

Tica Cetus SB500 - $49.99

The Tica Cetus series of reels are the epitome of quality, and have to be the best all around ice fishing reel on the market today. The SB and SS series are the forerunners of the Tica brand and are worth the extra money when searching for the perfect gill reel. Super smooth and strong, Tica Cetus reels have 7 ball bearing and weight in at just over 6oz. They have a very high performing drag system that holds up extremely well in cold temps and in snow and ice.

Tica reels are coveted by those who use them, and shrugged off by those who dont. If you can get your hands on one, I know you will quickly see and feel the difference.

Not readily available in most areas, you can find many dealers on-line. I purchase from Red Rock store as they have fair prices and ship quick and cheap into Canada.

Tica Cetus SB500

Tip: Avoid rod and reel combos, in order to sell them at a cheap price point many companies offer inferior reels paired with their rods. Save yourself the $20-$30 buy the rod without the reel and purchase a quality reel with the money you saved.. you can thank me later.


Straight-line Reels:

You have seen this term pop-up on a few of my blogs this season, and it is a technique that Im still learning, but I feel it definitely has a place on the ice, and even more so when cashing gills.

Straight-lining really just consists of finding and utilizing small fly reels on the ice. My reel of preference is an Okuma Sierra 4/5 weight reel. It fits perfectly into the palm of my hand and although it has a aluminum frame it does not easily ice up while in the elements. The Sierra weighs just over 5.oz but like all fly reels it has a large line capacity that will need to be filled with some sort of backing prior to adding your line.

Straight-lining reels allow you to use your hand to apply the amount of drag required by species is is above and beyond a standard drag built into the reel, they also prevent line twist better then spinning reels. There is nothing worse then chasing gills with micro jigs that are spinning like a top due to line twist

The down side to straight-line reels is obviously the drop rate. When you are on a hot panfish bite the key is to get your line back done into the strike zone as fast as possible, with fly reels, you cant simply open the bail and let it fall, you have to strip line out by hand. This does not bother me for the most part, but I do prefer to fish straight line reels in shallower water (under 20ft) for that reason.

Okuma Sierra - $40 (approx)

Now for a higher end Stright-line reel, the Okuma SLV series is also a very popular reel for the ice. The SLV is slightly more expensive then the Sierra model, but it is available is a smaller size. The SLV 2/3 reel is smaller and lighter then the Sierra model wich allows for better balance on shorter ice fishing rods. The SLV also has an improved drag system and a more comfortable grip (rubber instead of wood).

Okuma SLV - $60 (approx)


Line: 

Whether you choose a spinning reel or a straight-line reel, both are only as good as your line choice and with hundreds of options available on the market today choosing a line for chasing gills can be a daunting task. Im a product testing junky and have spent more money then i care to admit trying out new lines. Each season I give the newest, latest and greatest a test run, only to be reminded that the stuff I have been using for the past 6 years is still the best there is.. here are a few line choices when chasing gills

ASSO Ice Line:

hands down the best small diameter ice line I have ever used, it is a staple in my arsenal. The 2lb test line holds tight knots, and is much stronger then the 2.4lb breaking point would suggest. The relatively high vis blue is easy to see on the water but is not annoyingly high vis like the trilene ice blue.

I have battled monster gills, crappie and perch with Asso line and Im always impressed by its strenght. Again this line is hard to find, as it is an import (Italy).. here is where i buy mine.. shhhhh!

http://www.yourbobbersdown.com/icefishing.html

One tip... I use this line primarily as a leader, as it is so thin that it can be messy on a full spool. Give it a try and see what you like best.

Gamma ESP Ice:

Gama copolymer line is another harder to find line in my area that is well worth the search. Like Asso it comes in very small diameters and can be purchased in 1 thru to 10lb test. I like the 1.5lb and 2lb lines for gill fishing. For those of you not happy with high vis lines, gamma is a nice clear line with little to no memory.

Gamma Ice Line


P-Line Floroice:

For bigger game species this line is my go to. Stated as a copolymer with a fluorocarbon coating p-line floroice is a tuff, durable product that holds up well on the ice, and has little to no memory. Available in 2lb and up, I perfer to use the 4lb version of this line for crappies, perch and walleye but will occasionally use it on my gill rod (2lb or 4lb no higher!)

P-Line Floroice


The last two that I will talk about are lines that are newer on the marker, Northland Bionic Ice Line  and Trilene fluorocarbon ice . Both have tested really well in early season use so far. The Norhtland I again only use as a leader, but so far I really like the Trilene Fluoro on the spool. (way better then the mono ice line that have had on the market for years)

Tip: Similar to the above tip, I will state that I never, ever, use line that has come pre-spooled on a reel I purchased. Like to reels in the above example most companies use cheap line to add implied value to the consumer. There is no added value in a pre-spooled reel, throw that line out and spool up with the line of your choice.

There you have it, you now know my secret weapons when it comes to battling gills on the ice. All there is left to talk about is jig/lure/bait selection.. until next time.. tight lines