Comments are spot on. In 1970 at the age of 15 I started fishing with a master ice fisherman named Ted. Ted taught me how to paint my own ice jigs and many, many more things that I use to this day. Precision was Ted's game. No line, no bait, no jig was fished by accident. Every move Ted made was thought out and planned in advance. My dad whom was not a betting man said if he could bet on one man to outfisb everyone on the ice on any given day it would be Ted. I know side by side on the ice I never out fished Ted and I was his prized student. Ted died in 1989 but his teachings stay with me always. My best advice is to fellow anglers is to learn from a fisherman that routinely catches fish. It is not an accident.
Every group of friends I have fished with in all the places I lived has one or two guys that if they aren't catching fish, it seems no one is. Usually I try to learn from those guys and it has really helped me
After hearing Tom Neustrom talk about having drive, dedication, etc..I said hell that's me with no boat or flashy things. I don't have a boat yet, I go to Tuscarora state park in Northeast PA and Mauch Chunk for bass, panfish and walleye. I walk with my hunting backpack fully stocked, 2 or 3 rods by hand and a 5gal bucket for minnows in the other. On average I say I walk around 2-3 miles on a 100 acre lake. It's not alot to walk when you love it and want to see what works rather then being the guy complaining about how his spot sucks after not moving for 4 hrs. I'm always outfishing people around me wherever I go so I may try a tournament just to see where I stand.
I hear a lot of beefs but not much poor advice. Bad advice would be believing any lures these guys are hawking are consistently any better than any other brand's lure.
The best advice I can give is that before you even think about gear, know what species you will be targeting with that gear. Then, get the gear needed to properly catch that species. By knowing what species (we are really talking about the weight and strength of the individual species) we are targeting, we can then focus on the bait needed to catch them (bait profile, size, color, and application). All specific to the species. After we choose the proper bait, we can now choose a line that can support the necessary bait for the specific species. Pick a line that has a breakage strength equal to or slightly higher than the size of fish you will realistically catch. You don’t need 20# line to catch 3# bass. Likewise, you don’t need 6# line to catch 5oz panfish. Line type (mono, braid, etc.) will depend on the first two steps (species and bait selection). Now we get to the rod and reel combo. This should be considered as one item. The rod acts as a few things. First and foremost, it acts as a shock absorber for everything previously mentioned and has to match the size and weight of everything said so far. The way it absorbs those shocks is affected by rod length, action, power, number of guides, rod material (fiberglass, carbon, hybrid), and line/bait selection. This also affects the way we are able to perform presentation techniques (jigging, topwater walking, jerking, etc.). Next, it’s a casting tool to actually get the bait to the fish. If you have too heavy a rod and too light of a terminal tackle setup (line/bait) you won’t have stable control of the cast and if a tough fish takes the bait, the shock absorbing qualities of the rod will be too stiff and will put unnecessary stress on the line and a break off is inevitable. Now if you have too heavy of a terminal tackle setup and too light of a rod, you risk breaking off on the cast itself and the shock absorbing qualities will become less effective. Finally, the reel. In all honesty, it’s just a line holder. A quality reel that’s rated to handle the size line you choose will work just fine. The proper size reel/line relationship will also take a lot of guess work out of drag settings because it’s meant to be able to handle that range of line strength. That’s why a great drag is essential. A great drag also reduces all those shocks absorbed by your rod when a tough fish takes a run thus reducing the overall stress on the entire rig. To put it short, match the fish to the bait. Match the bait to the line. Match the line to the rod. Match the to reel to accommodate the rest of the setup. ALL of this is for a basic general “What should I get?” kind of question. With all the different choices we have with everything today, it can get a little overwhelming looking at 17 different 4# lines in mono, flouro, and braid (amongst everything else). This doesn’t even get into the specifics of spinning, baitcasting, fly, centerpin, or even ice rods and a lot of it depends on personal preference. However, going off this has helped my setups become actual tools instead of just fishing poles. With a proper setup, one can focus on honing technique and presentation instead of dealing with incompatible gear. I hope this helps someone.
I really like the Jason Mitchell comment of how many times he's out there fishing and isn't faking it and the fish aren't out there that day. I have had the basic of fishing ingrained on me for 30 years and in the past few really expanding new experiences but that basic understanding is where it starts -- it's not the flash of it all. There are tough days/weeks but learning something each time gives you the best chance everytime out and it's all about improving your odds and staying real
Knowing seasonal patterns of the spieces your chasing is the Key. Then the right tackle line and presentation to match water clarity current and weather. I normally start with the "match the hatch" theory and build from there. Electronics these days are key also.
Never listen to "my buddies hammered them" or my buddy said his buddy crushed them" chances are it's a lie. Never trust 3rd hand tips. Wasted too much time entertaining those tips.
Never cared what any pro or non pro says or thinks. I go out and consistently put fish in the livewell or bucket, usually as far away from the crowds as possible. Id love to see these guys go out without all the fancy gear and locators and see what they catch. All I use is a few poles and a 20+yr old vexilar. My freezer is always full. I have no boat and still get plenty of fish. I'm looking for a few meals and I don't need 70,000 dollar's worth of equipment and boats and electronics to do it. I don't consider that fishing at all.
I couldnt imagine guiding total doofus people who pay money to catch fish. I adapted west coast steelhead techniques to the great lakes region over 20 years ago and I've caught hundreds and hundreds of steelhead fishing with equipment you would never see 99.9% of anglers in the region ever use. When they ask me where I learned to do that I tell them by reading books and applying that to the real world by actually doing it. I couldn't just hand my 12 foot float rod and raven to a client and tell him to catch a fish with it because the dolt wouldnt even know how to cast it. Getting on your knees for sponsors and looking like a reject nascar driver with 80 logos all over their shirt is not something I could ever do nor would I want to. I consider myself a professional steelhead fisherman with an actual job. When fishing is your job it isnt fishing anymore.
Some anglers simply cant fish either. Some think if they fish the same jig as me they will catch fish, but they dont. They dont pay enough attention to what they are doing and miss the bite. I laugh when they say he broke me off, LOL, NO!! You dont know how to tie a knot OR your drag was too tight, or you had a snag on your reel spool. Fishing is supposed to be fun and a contant learning process. I dont know how you tournament anglers can enjoy fishing, the competition would take the fun out of it for me. Same for guiding, you dont get to fish much.
Here's my bad advice: Fish as much as you can. Some days you are going to turn fishing into catching. Some days, you are just fishing. Either way it's a better day than breaking rocks. Other than that set your expectations low and your satisfaction will be high. Give it hell and eventually you are going to get a smile and maybe some nice fish along the way
Fishing is always a learning experience, but advice from others isn't always easy to digest. Fishing SECRETS are just that, SECRETS. Shhhhhhh. Figure it out for yourself, or go buy your fish at the market..
stick jr. Totally agree. Even though certain companies have been informed by many of unethical behaviors...harassment, violations, etc... they refuse to let the 'guy(s)' go. It's amazing selling products trumps sportsmanship nowadays.
Dave Genz, we fish in our Ice castle all winter long and have a blast. My wife,my granddaughter love it. Always warm, dry, out of the wind, and we catch fish too. We don't camp in it but we sure as he'll fish in it.
I just go for the fun of being out there, fish are just a bonus. I've old schooled it for years and I've always put fish on the ice.
Comments are spot on. In 1970 at the age of 15 I started fishing with a master ice fisherman named Ted. Ted taught me how to paint my own ice jigs and many, many more things that I use to this day. Precision was Ted's game. No line, no bait, no jig was fished by accident. Every move Ted made was thought out and planned in advance. My dad whom was not a betting man said if he could bet on one man to outfisb everyone on the ice on any given day it would be Ted. I know side by side on the ice I never out fished Ted and I was his prized student. Ted died in 1989 but his teachings stay with me always. My best advice is to fellow anglers is to learn from a fisherman that routinely catches fish. It is not an accident.
Every group of friends I have fished with in all the places I lived has one or two guys that if they aren't catching fish, it seems no one is. Usually I try to learn from those guys and it has really helped me
Your best days will always be in the spots you find yourself.
After hearing Tom Neustrom talk about having drive, dedication, etc..I said hell that's me with no boat or flashy things. I don't have a boat yet, I go to Tuscarora state park in Northeast PA and Mauch Chunk for bass, panfish and walleye. I walk with my hunting backpack fully stocked, 2 or 3 rods by hand and a 5gal bucket for minnows in the other. On average I say I walk around 2-3 miles on a 100 acre lake. It's not alot to walk when you love it and want to see what works rather then being the guy complaining about how his spot sucks after not moving for 4 hrs. I'm always outfishing people around me wherever I go so I may try a tournament just to see where I stand.
hell yeah! jason mitchell sounding off on all the BS! I haven't made the switch to inline reels yet and I'm doing just fine.
I hear a lot of beefs but not much poor advice. Bad advice would be believing any lures these guys are hawking are consistently any better than any other brand's lure.
Jason Mitchell 100% spot on!
A lot to think about. An educator all my life, but only a fisherman for the last 20 years. I appreciate integrity.
The best advice I can give is that before you even think about gear, know what species you will be targeting with that gear. Then, get the gear needed to properly catch that species.
By knowing what species (we are really talking about the weight and strength of the individual species) we are targeting, we can then focus on the bait needed to catch them (bait profile, size, color, and application). All specific to the species.
After we choose the proper bait, we can now choose a line that can support the necessary bait for the specific species. Pick a line that has a breakage strength equal to or slightly higher than the size of fish you will realistically catch. You don’t need 20# line to catch 3# bass. Likewise, you don’t need 6# line to catch 5oz panfish. Line type (mono, braid, etc.) will depend on the first two steps (species and bait selection).
Now we get to the rod and reel combo. This should be considered as one item. The rod acts as a few things. First and foremost, it acts as a shock absorber for everything previously mentioned and has to match the size and weight of everything said so far. The way it absorbs those shocks is affected by rod length, action, power, number of guides, rod material (fiberglass, carbon, hybrid), and line/bait selection. This also affects the way we are able to perform presentation techniques (jigging, topwater walking, jerking, etc.). Next, it’s a casting tool to actually get the bait to the fish. If you have too heavy a rod and too light of a terminal tackle setup (line/bait) you won’t have stable control of the cast and if a tough fish takes the bait, the shock absorbing qualities of the rod will be too stiff and will put unnecessary stress on the line and a break off is inevitable. Now if you have too heavy of a terminal tackle setup and too light of a rod, you risk breaking off on the cast itself and the shock absorbing qualities will become less effective.
Finally, the reel. In all honesty, it’s just a line holder. A quality reel that’s rated to handle the size line you choose will work just fine. The proper size reel/line relationship will also take a lot of guess work out of drag settings because it’s meant to be able to handle that range of line strength. That’s why a great drag is essential. A great drag also reduces all those shocks absorbed by your rod when a tough fish takes a run thus reducing the overall stress on the entire rig.
To put it short, match the fish to the bait. Match the bait to the line. Match the line to the rod. Match the to reel to accommodate the rest of the setup.
ALL of this is for a basic general “What should I get?” kind of question. With all the different choices we have with everything today, it can get a little overwhelming looking at 17 different 4# lines in mono, flouro, and braid (amongst everything else). This doesn’t even get into the specifics of spinning, baitcasting, fly, centerpin, or even ice rods and a lot of it depends on personal preference. However, going off this has helped my setups become actual tools instead of just fishing poles. With a proper setup, one can focus on honing technique and presentation instead of dealing with incompatible gear.
I hope this helps someone.
I agree. Knowing the fish you're targeting dictates the size lure which, in turn, best determines your line diameter and rod action/strength.
I really like the Jason Mitchell comment of how many times he's out there fishing and isn't faking it and the fish aren't out there that day. I have had the basic of fishing ingrained on me for 30 years and in the past few really expanding new experiences but that basic understanding is where it starts -- it's not the flash of it all. There are tough days/weeks but learning something each time gives you the best chance everytime out and it's all about improving your odds and staying real
Half of the Pro's didn't even stick to the Subject title!!! Chip did a great job.
It's not the Pro's fault in this case. They re-used footage from older videos.
I always crack up when people post a lake map on facebook and ask where the best spots are. Get out there and find the fish!
See this all the time, there is no one formula lol
Knowing seasonal patterns of the spieces your chasing is the Key. Then the right tackle line and presentation to match water clarity current and weather. I normally start with the "match the hatch" theory and build from there. Electronics these days are key also.
Never listen to "my buddies hammered them" or my buddy said his buddy crushed them" chances are it's a lie. Never trust 3rd hand tips. Wasted too much time entertaining those tips.
Never cared what any pro or non pro says or thinks. I go out and consistently put fish in the livewell or bucket, usually as far away from the crowds as possible. Id love to see these guys go out without all the fancy gear and locators and see what they catch. All I use is a few poles and a 20+yr old vexilar. My freezer is always full. I have no boat and still get plenty of fish. I'm looking for a few meals and I don't need 70,000 dollar's worth of equipment and boats and electronics to do it. I don't consider that fishing at all.
Bad advice...believe what you hear on social media.
A lot of these segments were re-used from previous Ice Pros Q&A videos...
2:52 What's wrong with braid line?
Freezes, if not in a shelter
I caught a sturgeon on my freefall reel, 3lb test
I couldnt imagine guiding total doofus people who pay money to catch fish. I adapted west coast steelhead techniques to the great lakes region over 20 years ago and I've caught hundreds and hundreds of steelhead fishing with equipment you would never see 99.9% of anglers in the region ever use. When they ask me where I learned to do that I tell them by reading books and applying that to the real world by actually doing it. I couldn't just hand my 12 foot float rod and raven to a client and tell him to catch a fish with it because the dolt wouldnt even know how to cast it. Getting on your knees for sponsors and looking like a reject nascar driver with 80 logos all over their shirt is not something I could ever do nor would I want to. I consider myself a professional steelhead fisherman with an actual job. When fishing is your job it isnt fishing anymore.
Love the Ice Pros Q&A series!
Some anglers simply cant fish either. Some think if they fish the same jig as me they will catch fish, but they dont. They dont pay enough attention to what they are doing and miss the bite. I laugh when they say he broke me off, LOL, NO!! You dont know how to tie a knot OR your drag was too tight, or you had a snag on your reel spool. Fishing is supposed to be fun and a contant learning process. I dont know how you tournament anglers can enjoy fishing, the competition would take the fun out of it for me. Same for guiding, you dont get to fish much.
Great video.
Just some advice for the person working the black and white camera,
STOP moving the camera.
STOP zooming in and out.
Here's my bad advice: Fish as much as you can. Some days you are going to turn fishing into catching. Some days, you are just fishing. Either way it's a better day than breaking rocks. Other than that set your expectations low and your satisfaction will be high. Give it hell and eventually you are going to get a smile and maybe some nice fish along the way
I'd you don't have a picture, ain't nothing but story..
Fishing is always a learning experience, but advice from others isn't always easy to digest.
Fishing SECRETS are just that, SECRETS. Shhhhhhh.
Figure it out for yourself, or go buy your fish at the market..
I keep asking bait shops if they have Jerry Rigs, my friend told me the bass can resist them. ;) No luck so far but a few good laughs. ;)
Again great information....but at about half way though the video the background music repeating got so annoying I shut off the video.
Integrity. Lol. Thats a thing of the past. I hate to say it but I won't watch you guys on television anymore because of all the lies and deceit.
stick jr. Totally agree. Even though certain companies have been informed by many of unethical behaviors...harassment, violations, etc... they refuse to let the 'guy(s)' go. It's amazing selling products trumps sportsmanship nowadays.
Jon Thelen?
Dave Genz, we fish in our Ice castle all winter long and have a blast. My wife,my granddaughter love it. Always warm, dry, out of the wind, and we catch fish too. We don't camp in it but we sure as he'll fish in it.
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