what first?

[suckerbass]

Well I am going to realy try this hard watter thing this year and I was just wondering what equipment I should get first. I have 2 ice fishing rods and 2 tipups and a 8" hand auger. Should I get a flasher or one of those portable shantys first. I would like to get into walleye fishing as that is my primary soft watter target. Any help about ice fishing would be great. I have only tryed it a coulple of times with no real luck.

Thanks
mike

[chad 1]

If I had too choose between my vexliar or my shanty. well I can alway make a wind break. ;)
I would myself go with the flasher first.

chad1

[Ken Martin]

With walleye fishing mobility is necassary. A good flasher will tell if they are there and not hitting or just not there.

Ken

[Sailor]

Vexilar FL-18, plastic bucket, and warm clothes.

[hoffie1]

If ya like to be warm then go with the shanty.I'll take the coup any day over the fish finder.

hoffie

[mike h]

Vex for sure.

[Skeeter]

Like Mr. Martin said if your going to fish Walleye, normally course depending where your fishing you have to be out there in deeper water. If you get out there in a popular place you will generally be able to find holes used that morning or the night before and with little effort you can knock the ice out of them. A shanty of some sort is a must if your out very far FOR most days. A flasher is real nice, for reasons pointed out above. Course a nice selection of the local lakes lure is important. If I had to put in order a good selection of equipment this is what it would be.
Very warm cloths
Transportation
Shanty & Heater & Nice chair to sit on.
Ice Spikes
Lures
Flasher & Map of contours of lake.
Auger or Spud.
If your going out very far like on Saginaw Bay A good GPS is very important. Later on you will NEED an underwater camera, hook setter rod holder with alarm to wake you up. Walkie talkies to talk to your bud or hear where they are hitting. Lots of snacks.

[bocephus]

vexilar for sure

[Bucktail Butch]

Flasher first, then the shanty. If you can't find the fish, you'll send a lot of time in your shanty staring at an empty hole.

[mike h]

Good reply for sure.

[ChapstickCharlie]

I would differ and go with the shanty first. The comfort you get keeps you out on the ice longer, the windbreak lets you see hits better, and the warmth lets you concentrate more. Grab a flipover and away you go.

There are three types of people in this world: Those who can count, and those who can't.

[ih772]

Hmmm... that's a tough one. As much as I love my Vexilar I would go with a "flip-style" shanty first along with some lake contour maps. You'll tend to go out and fish more often if you can get out of the wind and stay warm. If you have an LCD fish finder for your boat see if there is a way to rig it up for portable use. I did that very thing with my eagle fish finder and it worked fairly well. Just play around with the scroll speed and turn the "fish-id" off so you can see your bait and fish move in real time.

[jigworm]

I would go with the flasher or graph. I find myself moving around a lot more than I used to and it has paid off with more fish. Most days I don't even set up the shanty unless it's extremley cold. A sled that convers to a wind break is usually enough.

[Houghton laker]

I have both and if I had to choose between the 2, I would take the shantie first!! Fish trap style!! you can be mobile and warm and like was said before , will find yourself being able to concentrate more on your fishing when comfortable and warm!

[suckerbass]

Boy looks like I just might need both! Maby I can get the wife to work some OT! I was at bass pro yesterday and looked at the fish traps. Is the guide too heavy for one man to pull. I like the pro but what if I take one of the kids or go with a friend. I would maby take the wife but I think she will be at work paying for my new toys:eek: