nubbie

I would recomend start small and light, get comfortable with something before going after bigger fish. HAVE FUN ITS A BLAST

I ant worryed to much bout haulin stuff out I got nice sleds for goose hunting Wat pound line? Size hooks would you suggest? And do you guys use sonar? Or an aqua vu? I thought that would be cool to watch em or they junk?

4 or 3# fluorocarbon line is what I use for perch on pi bay. And I use just about any jig depending on what they are biting on. I love my vexilar but also like to watch the aqua view. If you are fishing for perch a cam is better but out for crappie or eyes the vex is the way to go. Good luck and be safe!

Safety wise go with someone. Safety in numbers. Take along the ice picks that hang around your neck in case you need to pull yourself out of the water.  Take a bucket to sit on, You could make yourself a pole by cutting the end off a scrap pole and gluing it into a section of wood broom handle or use the smallest rod you have. Take along some Vibees, a couple jigs and some maggots to tip the jigs. Don't get discouraged if you don't catch anything your first few times out. There is a learning curve. Make sure you talk to guys on the ice and don't be afraid to ask alot of questions. Guys will be willing to help you out. Half the fun is hanging out with the fellas on the ice.  As far as electronics, getting a flasher unit or camera is a good hit in the wallet.  Although it will definitely put more fish on the ice, take a look at what other people are using on the ice and like I said before, ask questions.  Guys will be glad to "brag" about their electronics.  My advice would be to hold off on buying the electronics until you have been on the ice a few times and ensure you have the nerves to be out on the ice.  Good luck this year.

My recommendation is to make sure the one you're fishing out of has a bottom. Keeps things more organized, your stuff doesn't freeze to the ice, FEET STAY A LOT WARMER, and just makes it an all around better experience.

I use a flip over and have built skiis that are hinged to flip down. When they flip down the one that is inside the hut with me works perfectly for a foot rest so my feet are off the ice. I have fished out of huts with floors and would suggest if you go that route make sure its secured on windy days. I watched a guy slide across PI one day when it was really windy. He almost went out of the channel, pretty scary if you ask me. Thats one of the advantages of the flip over but wind can still be an issue.

I agree with having ice anchors.  I took a ride across Pymatuning last year up by Tuttle in my Frabill Refuge 2 man.  I was screaming like a little girl.  Scary when it happened but can look back and laugh now.

ORIGINAL: Denny Crane x2

I started in 2005 with a bucket and froze my tail off on Arthur and Wilhelm.  That first tap you feel is like the first hit off the crack pipe.  You'll be addicted.  People give you strange looks when you describe going outside when it's -2 degrees and sitting on a glacier fishing when most people are inside.  I bought a one-man pak shak the next year.  The next year a three-man pak shak - don't buy one of those.  Next I bought a 4x4 truck (I told my wife it was so I could do landscaping on the side...), a two-man clam and a mr. buddy heater.  The next year I bought a showdown.  Like I said... that first hit will hook you.  There is no finer fishing than ice fishing.  I guess ice fisherman are to fishing what duck hunters are to hunting: a rare breed.  Guys on the Erie tribs give you dirty looks when you stand too close but guys on the ice welcome the camraderie.  There's no other fishing that is as much fun.  I go ice fishing and sit with my dad and uncle all day and we catch fish and have a great time.  It's the best.

Very well described. It gets more and more addicting every year. It really is like Christmas morning. When that first hole of the season is opened..... man. I can't wait anymore!!!

find someone to take you out that knows about ice fishing. That way you can see if you like it. I have seen many people gung ho about going and then they hate it cause you sit there and fish in an 8 inch hole. I personally love it and look forward to it every year. Good luck to you and remember the most important thing about ice fishing. There is no such thing as safe ice.

+2 on the no safe ice, a buddy and I was out on misery bay last year on first ice had a good day went back to the same area the next day( no warm up or anything) buddy took a few turns of the auger and went through he said this didnt feel good went and took a look ice cracked, I looked at him and said were out of hear, went and found another place to fish. You can never tell from one day to the next, ALWAYS BE SAFE out there.

dude... get good spikes for yer boots. ....and watch ice fishin vids on utube. everything else is trial and error because every lake holds its own secrets.