Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Ice Fishing Tool


Recommended Posts

Has anyone had problems getting fish out of the hole while fishing in a small portable or when fishing out of a rental and maybe been alone? My dad came up with a great idea and it really doesnt seem to hurt the fish, much less than a gaff would.

He took an 18" metal frying tong that he bought for $2 at Wallmart. Then he drilled three holes on each side of the tongs and sharpened up six sheet metal screws. He screwed them through the tongs angled backward, three on each side, like a pythons teeth to not let something go once it is grabbed onto.

When the fish comes up the hole, he can grab it below the gills and pull it out easily. Pulled an 8 pound walleye out easily with one hand on the pole and the other on the tongs. I was skeptical until i tried it. I wont go fishing in the winter without it now.

It doesnt seem to hurt the fish at all and we are losing very few fish in the hole and there is no gaffing involved.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is a product on the market now called the Fish Elevator that does the same thing. You place it in the hole and when the fish is above the bottom of the hole then you turn the handle and the fish cannot get out of the hole. One then just lifts on the handle and the fish is in the house.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i guess i am having a problem seeing how grabbing the fish with a sheet metal screwed python mouth pair of metal tongs isn't gonna hurt the fish....

get your hands wet. or get some waterproof ice fishing gloves.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

NO WORSE THAN A PIKE OR MARCHETTY GRABBING IT AND THEN IT GETS AWAY. THE THINGS REALLY DONT PENETRATE THE SKIN. ITS NOT LIKE YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT THE KUNG FOO GRIP. I CAN PUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON MY ARM WITH THAT I DO ON A FISH AND IT DOESNT LEAVE A MARK. HONESTLY.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Long story short, we convinced a blonde girl that we went to high school with that it wasnt safe to swim in lakes where there are muskies. Apparently, she couldnt remember the word musky, and was telling everyone to stay out of the lake because there were big "marchetties" swimming around. it just kinda stuck with my buddies and i.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.