Fishing Articles & Pro Fishing Tips

Over the span of his professional fishing career, Author and Outdoor Educator Joel DeBoer has authored many, many top-notch articles on the "How To's" of becoming a better angler. On this page you will find just a sampling of some of his articles and tips - we hope you enjoy!

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Be Ready Come First Ice
Fishing Articles & Pro Fishing Tips >>

There's no avoiding it now, winter is on its way!  While it saddens me to know that angling opportunities from my boat are gone, at least for the next couple of months, I also look forward to the ice-fishing season - especially the first-ice bite!  As with preparations before open water being critical to angler success, so it is with being prepared before heading out on to the ice.  Here are some suggestions to help get you ready for the upcoming ice extravaganza:

Auger check: The ice auger is one of the most important tools an ice-fisherman has; without it, there's no fishing going to be done! Begin the hard-water season by checking the blades on your ice auger and/or spud.  Make sure they are sharp; if they are not, have them sharpened or replace them.  Next, change the spark plug (if you have a power auger).  I do this each and every season and make sure to have an extra along with me just in case.  Finally, fill with fresh gasoline and run it briefly to make sure it works properly.  Should there be any problems, have a local small engine repair tune and adjust accordingly; it's better to catch any problems early before dragging all your gear out onto the lake.

Rods and reels:  Fresh line is always a "must" when preparing for a fishing season and ice-fishing is no different.  Be sure to spool each jigging reel with fresh quality line, being careful to avoid line twist and not to over-fill any of your reels.  It's always a good idea to check the line guides for any nicks or chips as these will cause line to fray and break - usually at the most inopportune moments.  Also, be sure to have your reels mounted securely in a position that balances well on the rod.

Tip-ups:  Again, fresh line is always a good idea, especially when talking about leader material such as used in walleye fishing.  Some tip-up styles require re-lubricating of the spool; if you need to re-lube, consider using one of the specialty cold weather lubricants currently on the market as they offer superior performance in the often harsh winter environment.  Examine the spool and flag to make sure both work smoothly, replacing worn or damaged parts if necessary.

Tackle:  A pre-season inventory of your ice fishing tackle is always a good idea.  Most anglers will not have seen their hard water tackle since packing away last spring.  A spot-check can help determine if adequate supplies remain in terms of hooks, leader material, sinkers, jigs, spoons, and the like.  Nothing is more frustrating than heading out for a day of fishing only to discover you are missing important gear.  Along with the tackle, make sure pliers, mouth spreaders, line markers, and such are also in working order and accessible.

Safety:  Finally, DO NOT head out onto the ice, especially first-ice, without the proper safety gear.  Cleats make walking on slippery bare ice much safer and efficient.  No angler should venture forth without a coil of good rope and ice picks, just in case you or another angler close by falls through.  A flotation device is also a good idea for such a situation as a throwable and doubles nicely as a seat cushion while sitting.

Whichever your quarry, first ice can be an action-filled, exciting time.  Head out prepared as well as equipped for safety and enjoy the fantastic fishing bound to occur in the coming weeks.  I'll see you on the water…

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