Underwater Cameras
Underwater cameras have gotten very popular among ice fishermen. The Aqua Vu is the most popular brand, however, Marcum has some
outstanding underwater cameras to choose from as well. Using an underwater camera can help you discover structure, different types of cover,
weed lines, the health of weeds, what kinds of fish are in the area and how they are reacting to your baits. It may take some time to scout from a
bunch of holes, but you can definitely learn a lot about a lake with a good underwater camera. On some of the more popular lakes, try going out to
the lake on a Monday after a heavily fished weekend. There can be hundreds of pre-drilled holes that you can drop your camera into. You may
have to break through some ice in the holes, but it will be a lot easier than drilling all of your own holes. After a busy weekend on a popular lake, you
may be able to hit 50 to 100 holes in a day. If you spend a couple of minutes scouting each hole, you will learn so much in such a short time.
To learn a lake that is not very popular, make sure to go out with a few friends. You can take turns drilling holes, using the camera and fishing. The
hard work will pay off because you can learn so much in one day that will help you through the rest of the ice fishing season.
Some ice fishermen prefer using the underwater cameras to watch how fish react to their presentation. Try setting it up in another hole next to your
bait and you should be able to see a fish approaching your bait. If you set the camera up in the down view position, you will get a wider view of what’s
going on below. Position the camera above your bait and you will be able to see what’s going on with your bait and approaching fish.
Portable Fish Finder
Good ice fishermen wouldn’t think of heading out on the water without their portable fish finder. Portable fish finders will help you find fish through
the ice. Vexilar is the most popular brand of portable fish finders among ice fishermen. Not only can you see the depth, but you can see your jig, fish
and even fish coming up to hit your jig. Once you fish with a good portable fish finder, you’re going to wonder how you would ice-fish without one.
Hand-Held Depth Finder
If you’re trying to find some specific depths, a hand-held depth finder will save you a lot of time. With a portable fish finder, you need to drill a hole
and set the transducer down the hole to get an accurate reading. With the hand-held depth finder, you won’t have to drill the hole. Just clear the
snow away, put your hand-held depth finder against the ice, push the button and get the depth. To make sure you are getting accurate readings,
clear away any snow and use in areas where the water is clearer. It will work in darker water, but you might want to get a few different readings in the
same spot to make sure it is reading the depth accurately.
Hand-Held GPS Units
GPS units have come a long way to help anglers catch more fish. Most anglers use their GPS units to store waypoints of their favorite fishing spots
so you can find your best spots much faster. Some GPS units allow you to upload fishing maps of certain lakes. These maps will have contour lines
of the different depths. This also helps you pinpoint specific locations on the lake. Basically, GPS units will help you find good fishing spots quicker,
which means you can spend more time catching fish.
Two-Way Radios
Two-way radios can help you stay in contact with your friends when you are out fishing in small groups. Nowadays, most people have cell phones
and they just end up using their cell phone to stay in touch with what their buddies are catching. If you choose to pick up some two-way radios, make
sure to think about the range you will need when you are out on the ice.
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