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.

Recommended Posts

Posted

First time out I pushed the block under the ice... let hole freeze before moving house and also marked it with branches.

Now if I pull block out ( in order to push it in when finished a day of spearing) how do you keep it from freezing on top of the ice?

Posted

It will freeze to the top of the ice, but it is easy to break loose with a chisel. Just chisel away between the bottom of the block and the ice. It should break loose after a couple whacks. Once it is loose, you should be able to slide the block back to the hole. If you can't get the block back in place, break it up and put the pieces into the hole.

Although they you will never hear it, snowmobilers and other will thank you for putting that block back into the lake. I remember how scary it was to have a close call with an ice block. Usually this was at night, my visor was pretty much fogged or iced up, riding too fast, and at the last instance I would notice that big ice block.......

Posted

I'd say just push it in. I don't get why people wrestle with it to pull it out... If the hole is marked well you should not have to worry about other people.

Posted

I always pull mine out.

It allows that spot to refreeze much faster and I have had many pike come in just below the ice and I don't want anything getting in their way.

Get a set of tongs and taking the block out is no big deal.

Posted

I pull mine out and set it on edge... much easier to get loose from the ice

Posted

Thanks, As a former snowmobile owner, I do not want to leave a hazard on the ice. That is why I pushed the block under.

With 9" of ice it didn't take too much effort. I could only imagine that it will be a bit tricky once the ice is thicker.

Posted

I pull mine out and set it on edge... much easier to get loose from the ice

We have yet to cut a spear hole, total rookies here.

But when we do finally get started I'm thinking about standing the block on edge and leaning it against the outside of the hous. Then it should be easy to brak free when it's time to put it back in the hole?

Either that or I guess I was planning on just pushing it under the ice. I'm actually glad someone posted this question because I had assumed most were just pushing the blocks under the ice. I didn't realize so many still pulled the blocks out.

Either way, I would NEVER leave the block out on the ice for a snowmobile to accidentally hit.

Posted

You can get ice tongs for $20 it's worth the investment, when the ice gets really thick you just have to break it up a bit more to get it out.

Posted
I'd say just push it in. I don't get why people wrestle with it to pull it out... If the hole is marked well you should not have to worry about other people.
+1... If you get your block under the edge of the ice and give it a good shove with the chisel, that baby will sail for a LONG ways. It is absolutely no hindrance to your fishing whatsoever. I'd say save your ice tong money, IMO. Push your block in and out of the way and mark your hole well.
Posted

I have a question for the guys that push their block under the ice.

How are you able to mark your hole? Seems like you wouldn't be able to get sticks to stand up if they weren't wedged between your block and the ice

Posted

I usually find two nice Y branches around 5 feet long and lean them against each other. Sometimes you need a little slush or snow to jab the bases into, but most of the time you can make it work.

Posted

personally i would NEVER push the ice block under the ice. i seen first hand that affects fish movement. another reason i set up on the same lake and near the same spot often and i dont want to cut thru 2 layers of ice nor would i like someone else to do the same. for me or the next guy.

Posted

Smurf, if you ever have seen one sail when you push it under you'd think differently. They can go a hundred yards or more! I push mine in the direction of the closest land. Also I am the only spear shack on the lake this year as well as last so I guess I could care less about cutting through two layers.

Posted

hey lunker, not tryingto stir the pot, just my opinion. i dont do it, but let me ask, once they stop do they freeze to the other ice??

and if your the only one fishing the lake then i see no harm, BUT i guess i dont fish at the end of the road either. grinlaugh sometimes pretty close though!!!! winkgringrin

Posted

I usually find two nice Y branches around 5 feet long and lean them against each other. Sometimes you need a little slush or snow to jab the bases into, but most of the time you can make it work.

That makes sense. Thanks

Posted

I'm more worried about my kids or neighbor kids stepping in one before it is froze solid. Most likely I will leave my house sit till it freezes on its own then move it off and mark the spot.

I will have to use the aqua view to see how far the block floats away..

Posted

If you are worried about it re freezing pull the block out and push it back in when you're done. It freezes up much faster that way.

It's really not that hard to pull them out. If the block get to be too big just break it in half

Posted

A 100 different opinions on this one...

As long as the block is not on top of the ice and your hole is marked when you leave, I don't think either way is wrong.

Although I pull my block; spear; place the block back in the hole and mark my hole.

Posted

But when we do finally get started I'm thinking about standing the block on edge and leaning it against the outside of the hous.

No need. To lean them on anything....they will stand on edge without problems.

Posted

I leave mine next to the house and if my hole freezes up and I'm going to move the house I either bust the block into tiny pieces or re cut the hole and push it back into the hole.

The way I see it if someone is going to hit the block that is next to my house they will most likely hitting the house.

A couple of good smacks with a chisel and the block will come loose and if it breaks then you just put more pieces in the hole.

Posted

If using the portable, I will pull and replace the block. With the perm, I will do like Gordie, bust it up if the hole is frozen.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • monstermoose78
      Ok the ice was 15-16 inches and less than 2 inches of snow. It’s was -15 this morning and the weekend looks to be cold again. The fish were there but not biting with change in weather. 
    • Dash 1
      I guess the vikings are a lot like fishing.  Very entertaining but frustrating at times. I've probably been cheering the vikings for 50 plus years  that i can remember and once again it's all about (there's always next year).  
    • Dash 1
      I remember Jeno's boxed pizza years ago.  Mom made it every Saturday night while dad and I watched All Star Wrestling.  
    • smurfy
      Chef boyardee box pizza. Good stuff 
    • smurfy
    • leech~~
      Smurf, still trying to get his lure jigging down when using the camera!  🤭   https://www.facebook.com/reel/517510734635573
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore... Ice fishing is going great on the south shore of Lake of the Woods, with resorts and outfitters reporting thickening ice conditions with two feet of ice in some areas.  Many ice roads are now open to 1 ton vehicles pulling a wheelhouse.  Every road has different weight limits, check with each resort for details before traveling up and out on the ice.      Some good fishing this past week.  As a rule, fishing activity is happening in 28 - 32 feet of water.  Resorts do just about everything they can to get customers on fish and this past week, some resorts made some long runs, resetting fish houses in new areas miles off shore.  Most are reporting good fishing as a rule.     It is common to sort through some small walleyes and saugers to get your keepers on LOW.  Naturally, some big fish are showing up, especially in deeper water.  In addition, this has been a very good year for jumbo perch with good numbers being caught.  Other fish in the mix are eelpout (burbot), pike, tullibees and an occasional sturgeon.      Anglers are using the one-two punch of jigging in one hole and deadsticking the second hole. In the jigging hole, a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head or tail in gold / pink, gold / glow red, glow white / pink, or Wonder Bread have worked well.     Especially in the deeper water, some anglers are finding success on rippin raps or using jigging spoons with a rattle as well.     On the deadstick, a small jig with a live minnow hooked behind the dorsal fin set 6 inches - a foot off of the bottom is working well.  One day the jigging line catches most of the fish, the other day a deadstick is hot.     Electronics are very helpful to see suspended fish, know when fish are coming through and adjust your presentation to the mood of each fish.  Most resorts, outfitters and bait shops in the area rent electronics by the day.   On the Rainy River... The Rainy River is still producing some nice walleyes and saugers, primarily in the mornings and evenings.  A jig and minnow working well.   Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing continues to be good for those targeting them.  An oversized hole, or three holes drilled together, with nightcrawlers or frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig fished on the bottom are what anglers are using.     Ice conditions on the river can vary significantly due to the current. To stay safe and maximize success, always work with a local resort or outfitter familiar with river conditions.    Up at the NW Angle... Ice fishing continues to be very good up at the Northwest Angle. Resorts have fish houses set up on various pieces of structure as well as adjacent to structure in deep mud.  A consistent mix of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike and tullibees in the mix.     Shallow structure is best right away in the morning and as the sun starts going down in the late afternoon.  Mud is more of a slower bite but all day.   The ice road from Jerry's on the mainland (Angle Inlet, MN) to island resorts (as of this past week) was open to 1 ton vehicles.  Guests drive right to their island resort after picking up a road pass at Jerry's or Point North Services.  Venmo is also available at all resorts.  Work through your resort for specifics.   Ice fishing is in full swing across Lake of the Woods and there are openings for lodging, fish house rentals, sleeper fish house rentals and meal plans across the area.  Ice fishing is extended on LOW with fish houses allowed on the ice through March 31st, walleye / sauger season open through April 14th and a pike season that never closes.  
    • Brianf.
      From your fingertips to God's ears...  Finally got some snow!   Several inches of new snow fell before and during the weekend.  Sunday eve when we left, the high winds had already begun to create some drifting on the lake.  It was fun riding for sure.  Lots of folks on the lake this past weekend too.  We fueled up the sleds at Shamrock and saw as many people fishing in that area as I've ever seen in the Winter on Lake Vermilion.     Our weekend results were decent.  Jeff and I and a buddy caught probably 50 walleyes between the three of us, mostly fishing a jig/plastics with our three biggest being 24", 25", and 25.5".  We also got one large pike of unknown length.  During the midday on Sunday, we targeted whitefish and Jeff managed one big one.  We released all of our fish, except for three small walleyes that our buddy wanted to bring home for a meal.  Definitely a fun weekend on Lake V!   
    • leech~~
      The Vikings are the Vikings so it's nothing new.  It is kind of sad that Darnold's off season stock is now going to drop like a rock after these last two games. It kind of shows he's not a big game guy.  🤔
    • smurfy
      I'm blaming leech... his food selection has been lacking game days recently  🤣
×
×
  • 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.