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Author Topic: 2019 BC ice fishing season  (Read 11195 times)

Rodney

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2019 BC ice fishing season
« on: December 13, 2019, 11:45:48 AM »

I've been wanting to start a thread on ice fishing in this province. It's something I've been doing (or wanting to do) more and more every winter because there are so many opportunities once you drive a couple of hours east from the Fraser Valley and the fisheries are pretty under-utilized.

The past couple of days we went up to Tunkwa Lake for our first outing, just to test out all the gear to make sure they are good to go for the season. The fishing was pretty slow during the day as expected, and a bit windy too which is kind of unusual in the winter. The late afternoon bite however, was quite good. From 2pm until dark, fish steadily showed up on the sounder and by 3:30pm, they were on your bait most of the time. All the fish we kept were in the 16 to 17 inch range, and a handful of 10 to 14 inchers were released.

The rig we used, is basically what Al at the resort always uses, a little jig (in this case, a 1/16oz Rapala Tubby tungsten jig) tipped with some bait (worm, shrimp, dough balls etc) dangled about 12 inches below a broad spoon (I used a Gibbs Ironhead) as a flasher. Al showed me how to use my sounder properly and it was incredible to see how much more effective once you figure out how to read the graph correctly. Most of the fish were caught in 7 to 10ft of water.



More trips to come!

psd1179

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Re: 2019 BC ice fishing season
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2019, 02:29:06 PM »

My favorite ice fishing gear is the Jaw jacker. Sometimes, I would wander if it should be banned.

The favorite bait is the Pautzke single salmon egg. No mess, no stink. one jar lasts for a whole ice fishing season.
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JustPuttsin

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Re: 2019 BC ice fishing season
« Reply #2 on: December 14, 2019, 09:47:27 AM »

This is something I'm hoping to try this winter in the caribou. Didn't have much luck this fall with the kokanee so will see if we can't get some thru the ice.
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ae_9

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Re: 2019 BC ice fishing season
« Reply #3 on: December 14, 2019, 07:44:55 PM »

Nice catch
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Wiseguy

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Re: 2019 BC ice fishing season
« Reply #4 on: December 16, 2019, 03:41:31 AM »

I’m hoping to take up this sport in the near future. What u need to get started?
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Rodney

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Re: 2019 BC ice fishing season
« Reply #5 on: December 16, 2019, 12:33:37 PM »

I’m hoping to take up this sport in the near future. What u need to get started?

To start out with you'll need a ice fishing rod and reel, which are pretty inexpensive. You'll need a hand auger too, which also doesn't break the bank. Ice skimmer to scoop the ice out of your hole... Terminal tackle is just a box of small jig heads and lures. Bait is worm, shrimp...

If you really get into it and want to catch fish more consistently, electronics make a huge difference. A tent and heater make your life a lot easier out there. An electric auger which we tried for the first time last week is a game changer....

Wiseguy

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Re: 2019 BC ice fishing season
« Reply #6 on: December 16, 2019, 01:07:01 PM »

What about a gas powered auger? What kind of electronics are we talking?
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psd1179

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Re: 2019 BC ice fishing season
« Reply #7 on: December 16, 2019, 01:55:31 PM »

What about a gas powered auger? What kind of electronics are we talking?

Gas powered auger is useful in extreme cold weather and deep ice. Not necessory in kamloops area

If you have wireless powerdrill, you can buy an adaptor for $10 and use as electrical auger.

I use Milwaukee M18 drill. The regular compact battery can drill 10-15 holes on 1 foot ice in -5C temperature .
By using 5ah battery, It can drill 100 holes at least. The drill speed is 2 second per hole. I usually drill 20 holes at beginning to cover water.

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Rodney

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Re: 2019 BC ice fishing season
« Reply #8 on: December 16, 2019, 02:15:29 PM »

https://www.rapala.ca/strikemaster/lithium-40v-auger/Lithium+40v+Auger.html

This is the one we used. 100 holes in 16" of ice on one battery charge.

Fish Assassin

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Re: 2019 BC ice fishing season
« Reply #9 on: December 16, 2019, 02:16:43 PM »

For $850.00 it better ;)
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Rodney

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Re: 2019 BC ice fishing season
« Reply #10 on: December 16, 2019, 02:18:39 PM »

My biceps and back tell me to spend the $850. ;D

Wiseguy

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Re: 2019 BC ice fishing season
« Reply #11 on: December 16, 2019, 04:37:02 PM »

Is that the trend now? The electric auger is replacing the gas powered auger?
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Rodney

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Re: 2019 BC ice fishing season
« Reply #12 on: December 16, 2019, 04:40:47 PM »

The price range is fairly similar. I personally like the electric way better than the gas. Being a little smaller than other people, I find even the gas one is labouring for me to use in the cold. With the electric one it was just so easy, and quiet.

poper

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Re: 2019 BC ice fishing season
« Reply #13 on: December 16, 2019, 04:52:28 PM »

A hand sled comes in handy, to pull your chairs, tent , gear etc... around if you don’t have a snowmobile or Quad.
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Rodney

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Re: 2019 BC ice fishing season
« Reply #14 on: December 16, 2019, 04:54:01 PM »

Right! How did I forget a sled! That is a must.