By Mark Martin:
Nowadays, anglers have it made when it comes to being spot on when drilling a hole in the ice.
When it comes to ice fishing, there’s a big difference in what the old adage “paying your dues” meant from when I was a kid compared to today.
During my days of youth, paying one’s dues meant many (and I mean many) fishless days standing on the ice, out in the open, suffering through wind and nasty weather while learning the lay of the underwater land; thus, where fish lurked under a lake’s frozen surface. Sometimes it literally took a decade before really being able to dial it all in.
Now, I admit, I had both a father and grandfather who had already spent decades on the frozen waterways near our home in Michigan’s southwestern Lower Peninsula; that meant the toll I paid was small, compensated within years measuring only in single digits rather than ten at a time.
How lucky I was….
But it was years later, when my elders were too timeworn to spend much time on the ice with me, in which I realized just how difficult it could be to catch fish on bodies of water I had never been on before. Holes drilled here, bored there and pierced just about anywhere when in search of fish.
But then sonar came along, next GPS and later underwater cameras. And because of the advent of all of these morphing into the modern electronics we have today, there’s no doubting we have it made when it comes to being spot on when drilling a hole in the ice, as well know immediately if there are fish in the area. Add to this fact that within seconds after a lure’s lowered, we can figure out if the fish are interested in our offerings or not, as well can figure out the precise moment we’re are about to get a strike.
And like anything we do, practice makes perfect, and the education we gain each and every time out just from reading electronics alone increases our odds of catching more fish during future trips, whether on the same body of water or a different one.
Oh, how lucky both you and I are now.
But just because we own the newest sonar, GPS, couple with an up-to-date mapping program and underwater camera doesn’t mean we’ll be filling a five-gallon bucket with finned critters in no time flat. There’s more to catching fish while using them than just poking the power button.
Beyond Routine
The first question I usually get asked when I’m giving ice-fishing seminars throughout the Midwest or during my “Ice-Fishing Vacation/Schools” is which, of all the electronics I take on the ice, is the most important. Although my answer, “All of them”, may sound routine, the fact of the matter it’s true.
As an example of the importance of each, I’ll tell of the average day on the ice for me and how each piece of electronics comes into play.
Right to it
Before the arrival of GPS, it often took hours to find structure, and valuable fishing time was lost in the process. Now all I have to do is look at the screen of one and know right where I am, as well where I want to be next.
The first thing I do after hooking up my Clam portable ice shanty to my snowmobile, and then filling its deep base/sled with the day’s fishing supplies, is boot up the Lowrance Elite-4 CHIRP chartplotter I have mounted on my rig’s dash.
The Elite-4 CHIRP is a color GPS with a 4.3-inch screen that is easy to see in both low and bright light conditions. The unit has a media port for inserting an SD card filled with Navionics mapping, which is also crucial for being spot-on. The unit, coupled with Navionics mapping, allows me to drive right over humps, bumps, holes, points and breaklines – all important areas to fish no matter my target species.
And GPS with Navionics mapping work wonders for those without motorized transportation, as well. For example, I use my Lowrance Elite-5 Ice Machine sonar/GPS at first ice, before travel with quad or snow-machine is safe. With the unit in hand and its GPS on, I can walk straight to my spot without working up a sweat. The Elite-5 Ice Machine comes in a portable pack perfect for the ice angler on foot. And it holds two Plano tackle totes, which makes hopping hole to hole easier than ever.
Immediate Gratification
Once I’m over structure, all it takes is a pull of the cord on my StrikeMaster power auger and I’m drilling a swath of holes. Once those are all bored, I immediately place the transducer of my sonar in each one. Seeing as I already know the approximant depth due to the precision of the Navionics mapping program, what I’m looking for is any sign of structure and fish.
Oftentimes, I’ll lower a Rapala Jigging Rap or Northland spoon—both tipped with either a Gulp! Minnow or lively shiner fresh from my Plano bait bucket—and watch the sonar for any sign of fish moving in on the lure. I always have the sensitivity on the Elite-5 set high enough that I can decipher between the jig and the Berkley ball-bearing swivel attach about a foot above it, which connects my Berkley FireLine to my Berkley 100% Fluorocarbon leader.
With sonar, I can see fish move in on the bait and prepare myself for the strike. If several fish swim off without striking, I know I have to change up my jigging motion, change lure colors or the type of bait. Before sonar, I wasted hours just wondering if there were even fish in the vicinity, let alone it they were interested in my offering or not.
Clear as a Bell
Underwater cameras are great tools. They will help you find structure, how a fish reacts to your offering as well see strikes as they happen.
What I’ve learned with my color Marcum underwater camera, and now my PanCam Camera System—which interfaces with the new RT-9—has been invaluable. From determining what species it is I am marking on my sonar to watching how fish respond to the lure them has taught me so much.
With an underwater camera, I have caught fish by setting the hook the moment I saw them strike. And these are fish that may have gone totally undetected otherwise. Species like walleye, whitefish and trout often eat bite a bait and then spit it out in one motion; often without the angler even knowing they bit. By watching them firsthand on my Marcum, I’ve been able to set the hook well before ever feeling the strike.
Underwater cameras are useful for getting get right on the edge of structure. As an example, I have drilled holes only to figure out I was not right on weeds as the day wasted away. But with the aid of my MarCum, could see the structure and then pinpoint the direction to go via the unit’s direction indicator. Once located, all I had to do is move and drilled holes right along the weed edge. Wha-lah… Fish on!
More Power to You
Without a doubt, you could go fishing without the aid of GPS, mapping programs, sonar and underwater cameras… But why?
Because of modern electronics, we all have it made when it comes to being spot on when drilling a hole in the ice, knowing if fish are below as well when we are about to get bit. Utilize all electronics and you’ll be catching more fish. I promise.
Mark Martin is a touring walleye tournament pro and instructor with the Ice-Fishing Vacation/School, who lives in Michigan’s southwestern Lower Peninsula. For more information about Mark, the products he uses and the Ice-Fishing Vacation/School, check out his website at markmartins.net.