2015 Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza - Questions

[VTX1800Shanty]

Good Morning!

A buddy and I purchased 2 tickets each yesterday from Mills Fleet Farm since they are on sale for $30 through the end of November.

We are planning on making the 2 hour drive the morning of the event. Rather than taking a shuttle with all our gear, we are wondering what our options are. Can we park close and just walk out on the ice? Can we drive out on the ice? (Probably not a smart question there because 5000 vehicles on the lake probably wouldn't be cool - I was on Forest Lake for their contest and the parking area near the shore busted and the cars went through). In general, just overall tips would be appreciated, such as arrival time and other info that isn't found on the rules page (http://icefishing.org/tickets/rules.htm). Thank you!

[bltbowhunter]

If you get there between 7:00 and 8:30 you will be able to get a parking spot in the lumber yard across 371 from the access to the lake for the tournament. It's 10 or 20 bucks to park. They will let you on the ice, but not into the contest area until 8:00. If you want to arrive later, the shuttles aren't that big of deal. You can get your gear on them and the parking is free.

[VTX1800Shanty]

Thanks for the info! If we did arrive at 7:30, are we able to fish until the start time? Or would we go outside of the event area and fish there? Do most people just "hang out" until noon?

[BoxMN]

I don't think there is fishing inside the contest area as you cannot even go inside the area. You can't bring auger inside the area during the contest time. You cannot drop a line to fish at all until start time.

Search for past threads with lots of good info for the contest. The best I can add is:

Go light

Use those whole foot warmers (like the shakable hand warmers)

Hand warmers in choppers makes for warm hands

Be ready to live with some interference on locator

Don't let your beer freeze

Register ANY fish you catch

Have fun!

Buying my ticket this week! Will be 5th time, won something once, caught fish two years.

[ozzie]

Dress warm!! last 2 years has been cold and miserable conditions for this event but everyone still has a blast!!!

[buddha]

You can park right across the 371 access for 20$ in a guys yard, plenty of parking there. Walk across the highway and you are on the ice, that's what I'm gonna do.

[bltbowhunter]

If you got there at 7:30 you would be able to walk on the ice because it's going to take you about a half hour to put all your gear on, load up your sled, and walk to the ice then wait in line to get all of your gear checked. You can go outside of the area to fish, but you would need an auger, and it's really not worth messing around with it. You would need to walk around the contest area, and then bring it back to your truck before you go back into the contest area. You will find that the 4 hours passes by pretty quickly. I end up searching for fish for an hour or so before I pick my holes. I then chisel out my hole forever to make it clean as can be. I try to cone out the bottom so there's a less of a chance in getting a fish caught on the bottom of the ice. I try to build a wind barrier because the wind will be blowing at 50 MPH. It never fails... You will also need to set your depth without a hook on (if bobber fishing). That usually takes a little bit of time. You will also want to get your charcoal can going (if using one) by about 11:00. All of this stuff takes time. Plus a little time to relax, take a leak, have a beverage, see the tented area, hang out, people watch, etc...

[Jmnhunter]

and take it from me, if you borrow your nice chisel to bunch of buzzed up guys, make sure they tie the rope around their wrist

there are people that drive on the lake and park around the whole perimeter of the contest, they're fairly spread out, but like the others have said, the shuttle service is really nice and stress free

[bluewater2]

I don't think you can drive on the lake from the access by contest.on(Saturday), We go up on Friday with are wheel house and park around the edge of the contest.If you do take the shuttle you can NOT bring propane on the shuttle and there was no where to buy it on the ice that I could see. Please read the rules, this is a great contest but if you bring an auger out with you, you will Not be able to bring it into the contest area. good luck and have fun. We already got are tickets too.

[Bear55]

Probably good for everyone to take a refresher course on the rules.

http://icefishing.org/tickets/rules.htm

[VTX1800Shanty]

A lot of good info here. Thanks everyone! Also, I did fish the forest lake contest a few times. At Forest Lake, we stood around the perimeter and ran for the holes. It was a mad dash at noon.

For Brainerd, I've been getting mixed stories from some local guys. One said, you go set up and get ready at the hole(s) you choose prior to fish time. Another guy said they use to have the mad dash for the holes but they don't do that anymore. Someone else said they thought they still do. Just out of curiosity, what has been the practice the past 3 years and what is the practice this year (just for clarification). Thanks again!

[Nisswaguy]

There is NOT a mad dash. They allow participants to enter the contest area through an inspection point no sooner than 8am. The contest starts at noon.

Bring a chisel because you'll need to open up your hole(s) since they were all drilled the day before.

Everything you need to know about the contest is right here:

http://icefishing.org/tickets/rules.htm

[bluewater2]

contest is from 12:00pm to 3:00pm, you can enter the contest as early as 8:00am, you have to go through inspection area and can only hold up to 4 holes per person.No mad dash, some people run for holes but not alot.

Dress warm

[centralmnguy]

Go to fleet farm they have a little magazine by check out counters on the extravaganza...has all the info you need: $5.00 off ticket coupon, rules, FAQ, prizes, parking/lodging, times etc. etc.

[VTX1800Shanty]

Thanks. I did go to Mills and didn't see any info. I was able to purchase the tickets for $30 in November. Just to give an example of the info available at Mills, the lady behind the counter was insistent that only two tickets could be purchased per household. lol. After some debate and logic, she finally called her manager who said it was per person. When we asked for more information, she provided no literature and told us to go to the brainerd contest online.

[centralmnguy]

Hmm that's funny...I picked up the little magazine the other day at the Baxter FF right next to the calenders they always give away when you are checking out.

[Bullhead Bob]

Where do you drive on Friday? Where do you drive off Saturday? Thanks

[dil]

Buhda,

Heard this guy was a pretty good guy. May even share a bud light with you if you can talk a little caddyshack with him. Catch him after about 10AM and he may be a bit buzzed that day. Can't beat this spot, it is directly across 371 from the access and the police will stop traffic at that intersection for people crossing 371. Last year, there was even a shortcut through the wooded area that made the walk even shorter.

What an awesome place to park!

[pegleg]

It looks like the sheriff approved the permit for the fishing tourney today... he wanted at least 17" of ice. The first hole drilled in Hole in the Day bay was 22" and the 2nd hole was 24" so Game On...

Good Luck to All.

[jhinky]

Small tip I use to do, Bring a small bag of charcoal, some sand and a old tin coffee can.

Put sand on bottom, then a few charcoal bricks. Set it right next to your hole. Might need to chisel a spot. Basically this keeps your hole open and not freeze up, plus is a good small heater.

That's if its going to be really cold that day.

Also grab some b93 stickers from Fleet or gas stations.... b93 radio station will give you some prizes if your lucky.

really its comes down to luck, Local guys like I use to be, would say fish deep 50' (big walleye) others would say fish as shallow as you can 12 feet (get that pike). in reality is just luck. if your in it to win the big prize, I would say 50' deep, smaller to mid size redtail chub , hooked in-between dorsal fin and tail with a purple hook, yellow bead. Sit back and watch the crazies.

[CrappieAttitude]

Another thing to bring along this year...

Make sure you pack your ice creepers for your feet. Chances are it will be very slick in spots and you don't want to find yourself in the ER.

Good luck to all. I will be out there as well.

CA

[Traxxx]

Tip: Pay attention and fish!

[smartguy]

Well this should be interesting for those who take the shuttle - good luck getting on the lake!

[jhinky]

they got bridges that can get over that hump....

[leech~~]

MeatRun, was out running his sled on Gull today and asked me to pass on this word of "caution" as he is having sign-on issues.

There is a huge pressure ridge that popped up from Cinosam west towards Quarter Deck I strongly encourage no vehicle to travel from north to south etc. The monster heave/ridge running east to west on Gull lake and some standing water out their. This is extremely dangerous since it just lifted within the past few days.

thx

MR

[VTX1800Shanty]

Thanks for the ice updates and other additional info. Here is another question, will my Marcum LX5 be useful or will there be too much interference? Please no Chevy/Ford or Marcum/Vexilar comments, stick to the subject of "interference".

[bltbowhunter]

Once the tourney starts, there will be too much interference for the Marcum. You should bring it along though. You will probably use it to find depth and try to locate fish before the tourney starts.

[JP Z]

There will be a ton of interference...........but depending on what type of bait you are using you should still be able to see it. It just won't be a perfect application because there will be a bazillion other flashers on the lake.

[Borch]

Thanks for the ice updates and other additional info. Here is another question, will my Marcum LX5 be useful or will there be too much interference? Please no Chevy/Ford or Marcum/Vexilar comments, stick to the subject of "interference".

Only depth finder that has worked well during the contest is the hummingbird Ice series. They run on a totally different frequency and I've been able to even see smaller baits in deep water. Each year I get a little move interference with them though as more people have them and they do interfere with each other. Even the Marcum and vexs with interference are better than nothing.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Thanks for the ice updates and other additional info. Here is another question, will my Marcum LX5 be useful or will there be too much interference? Please no Chevy/Ford or Marcum/Vexilar comments, stick to the subject of "interference".

I've used my LX5 every single year with minimal interference. The key is using the narrow beam transducer, and figuring out which IR setting to use.

Is the access on Hole in the Day going to be usable on Thursday? Those heave pictures are nasty!