Usually, but not always, after the last fishing trip, we put away our gear as it is, because the season ends and spring is coming. Broken fishing rods, dirty worm boxes, and feeders are thrown into the tackle box. The winter suit, with which we wiped our fishy hands, is also hung up until the next season.
To go to the first ice with joy, everything should be properly arranged beforehand, so here is a small list of things worth doing:
o Review winter fishing rods, untangle lines, replace them if they have been used for a long time.
o Organize the winter lure box, sort them by type, weight, etc.
o Re-tie mormyshkas, vertical jigs, horizontal jigs, and other winter lures.
o Clean bait containers, boxes, worm boxes, and feeders.
o Check ice auger blades, replace or sharpen if necessary.
o Check that clothing is clean and ready for use.
o Check that all necessary safety tools are prepared, such as "cat claws" and a spud bar.
Acquire the necessary equipment
Once the equipment has been reviewed and organized, items in your gear that need to be renewed or supplemented will certainly have crystallized.
High-quality and "fresh" line is one of the main components that allows for a big catch. It's possible that it got tangled in strong winds and several meters were lost, so spooling new line would be advisable.
Certainly, last season there were mormyshkas and lures that worked best. It's convenient if popular items are in pairs or even more in the box, because if one breaks off, you can quickly tie on an identical one and continue fishing. This means that mormyshka and lure supplies should be replenished with those that previously worked best.
Often, worm boxes are lost in the snow or break, so new ones must be acquired or existing ones repaired. The same applies to feeders. Perhaps the feeder used last season was not comfortable, so conclusions must be drawn and one that performs its function well must be purchased.
During the season, auger blades become dull. To start the new season with comfortable drilling, the blades must be sharpened or new ones purchased. Blades that are like replaceable heads can be taken to a craftsman for sharpening. For simpler augers, it is more convenient and cost-effective to buy new ones. Augers also differ in their drilling diameters. Perhaps your chosen fishing style requires an auger with a larger, or a smaller, drilling diameter.
Warm clothing is very important for ice fishing. When preparing for the new season, you should ensure that your winter suit is warm and comfortable enough, recalling situations and feelings from last season. Perhaps a new layer of thermal underwear is needed. Or whether your boots pinch and your toes don't get cold. Warm socks and handy gloves, as well as a stylish hat, are important.
When going out on the first ice, you must be very careful. You need to provide yourself with primary rescue tools, just in case you or a colleague break through. These are "cat claws" that you hang on your shoulders and a spud bar, with which you check the ice thickness as you go.
Research fishing destinations
An interesting and useful thing is to plan and analyze desired destinations for the new season. On dark autumn evenings, it is worth studying maps, depth charts, and thinking about where it would be worth going. Review some old videos and gather ideas for destinations and fishing techniques. Read forums. Weather conditions are cyclical, so there's no need to worry that video materials are older, because winter and ice differ every year.
Find everything you need for winter fishing at NGT.LV on Duntes street 5! Not Asakas!
Pēteris Priediņš - NGT Latvia Ice Fishing Team's best player!
