Ice Fishing Techniques

### 1. Finding the Spot

First, you’ve got to pick your battlefield. Fish hang out where food and oxygen are—think weed beds, drop-offs, or underwater structures like humps or points. If you’re on a lake you know, past summer fishing spots can clue you in. No fancy gear? Start shallow (5-10 feet) for panfish like bluegill or crappie, or go deeper (15-30 feet) for walleye or pike. A portable fish finder’s a bonus, but old-school trial and error works too—just drill a few holes and test.

### 2. Drilling In

Grab an auger (hand or gas-powered) and punch through the ice—6 to 8 inches wide is plenty. Check ice thickness first—4 inches of clear ice is safe for walking, but more’s better with gear. Clear the slush with a scoop so you’ve got a clean hole. Your bundle’s shelter can shield you here—set it up over the hole to block wind and keep you focused.

### 3. Jigging (The Bread and Butter)

Most ice fishing’s about jigging—small, active lures you bounce to wake up sluggish winter fish. Use your bundle’s rod (probably light-action) with a 2-4 pound test line. Tie on a tiny jig—1/32 to 1/8 ounce—tipped with bait like wax worms, minnows, or even a chunk of nightcrawler. Drop it down, let it sink, then twitch it up and down—short, sharp jerks, maybe an inch or two. Pause every few seconds; fish often hit when it stops. Watch the rod tip or a spring bobber for subtle bites—winter fish can be lazy nibblers.

### 4. Tip-Ups (Set It and Forget It)

If your bundle’s got a tip-up (a rig that flags when a fish bites), use it for bigger predators like pike or walleye. Bait a hook with a live minnow, set the depth so it swims just above the bottom or weeds, and stake the tip-up over a second hole. When the flag pops, reel it in by hand—slow and steady to keep the hook set. It’s a chill way to fish while you jig another hole.

### 5. Deadsticking (Low-Effort Wins)

Got a second rod in that bundle? Try deadsticking—drop a baited hook (minnow or worm) and let it sit still, maybe weighted with a split shot. Fish spooked by jigging might slink over to this quiet offering. Pair it with your shelter to stay comfy while you wait.

### 6. Timing and Patience

Fish bite best at dawn and dusk in winter—low light gets them moving. Midday can work too, especially on cloudy days. If one hole’s dead after 20 minutes, move—drill another and keep hunting. Your shelter makes this less brutal when the wind’s howling.