Four must have items before you head out for some winter angling.
Winter fishing might not seem like a comfortable idea but actually, it’s one of the most relaxing hobbies out there. Aside from the prospect of getting huge fish like carp and the winter steelhead, you also have the winter breeze to keep you cool as you wait for the reel to get pulled. Of course, winter fishing is different from regular fishing.
This means the gear you have for your regular angling sessions might not be enough if you do so during this season. Here are a few essentials to bring if you are fishing in winter.
Hand And Foot Warmers
This should be an obvious pick by now. It does get cold in ice fishing. The cold isn’t only unbearable, you’re putting yourself at risk of hypothermia and other conditions. Hand and foot warmers ensure that your body stays at a comfortable temperature. It’s also a must to keep your fingers warm as it will be harder to fish if they are frigid.
The Perfect Bait
Your favorite bait during Spring, Summer, or Fall might not be as effective during the winter season. If you are ice fishing, you’d want something that goes deeper as you have to consider the thick layer of ice between you and the fish. As per Take Me Fishing, you can use artificial bait for ice fishing as well.
In fact, artificial bait is more preferred as they can drop deeper than live bait. If you want something that can dive deeper, experienced anglers will suggest getting a tungsten ice jig. These special jigs can dive 10 to 20 feet deeper than compared to jigs made of lead.
First Aid Kit
In truth, you should be bringing a first aid kit even if it’s just regular ice fishing. However, it’s even more essential when the temperatures are freezing as your body can go into shock if you get a severe injury. According to a recent study, 33% of ice fishing injuries are caused by fish hook cuts, abrasions, and punctures.
You need to be prepared in cases like these. Your first aid kit should include sutures, bandages, disinfectants, and gauzes. Ideally, you’d want to ensure that you are prepared in case you get a severe cut.
Slip-Resistant Shoes
One of the dangers of ice fishing isn’t the temperature. It’s the ice you are walking on instead. You shouldn’t wear any regular rubber boots or shoes to ice fishing trips. It’s a must to get boots that are slip-resistant. Slipping on ice presents many dangers. Aside from concussions, you also put yourself at risk of breaking through the ice if you fall down too hard.
Slip-resistant shoes have rough soles that have great traction. High-end boots also have cleats for even more grip.
Ice fishing is a nice hobby but it’s a different beast as compared to regular fishing. You need to prepare heavily for it as the conditions are against you as well. If you do things right however, you can bag yourself some huge catches on your next ice fishing trips.
