Ice Fishing Factor - Level of Discomfort Rating

[BilgeRat]

I found this phrase/definition in another ice fishing forum.

PUCKER FACTOR:

This is a rating used to depict the amount of mental or psychological discomfort one feels when on the surface of the ice. (HINT; the thinner the ice, the higher the pucker factor) If you think of which part of you're anatomy feels like it's puckering when you're REALLY frightened, you'll understand why fishermen use the term "pucker factor" when thy're on questionable ice.

[Gillgitter]

Pucker factor????????

If thats how you rate it, Iv'e been out a couple times when you couldn't have pounded a tooth pick up my rear end with a sledge hammer !!! :eek:

[skulldugary]

Yep,on the ice I've had a pucker factor of a 180 degrees fahrenheit,not only did I pucker but the friction almost set my shorts on FIRE..:eek:

[DaveW731]

Then there is the 'elimination override', wherein the pucker factor is overridden by the elimination factor. The elimination factor kicks in for me when I hear a cracking sound, followed by a sensation of slowly sinking and seeing water coming out of my hole in the ice. Upon this observation, other things start coming out of another hole as the pucker suddenly relaxes......:D

[BilgeRat]

Happy New Year to all! :D

This thread is something to think about while we are on the ice during 2005.

[Hamilton Reef]

Pay some extra attention to the "pucker factor" when the weather warms up too fast.

Melting lake claims lone angler

GRATTAN TOWNSHIP -- Frantic neighbors and frustrated rescuers watched in horror Friday as a fisherman struggled in vain to swim ashore after plunging through ice on Byrne Lake.
Kent County Sheriff's deputies said Douglas Roger Clark of Lowell was fishing alone on the private body of water, which officials agreed nobody should have flirted with Friday, given temperatures in the mid-50s.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-19/1104578129262420.xml

[Hamilton Reef]

No one expects to fall through ice, but they should

“If you end up in the water, your life expectancy is short,” said U.S. Coast Guard commander Dave Rokes. “People lose their minds, it’s so cold. It’s like getting hit in the head with a two-by-four.”

http://cgi.greenbaypressgazette.com/cgi-bin/outdoorswrapper.pl?URL=http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/outdoors/outdoors/archive/out_19217976.shtml&AFFIL=outgreenbay

[tommy-n]

All this talk about a pucker factor has me downright scared :SHOCKED: I was always told it"s a exit not a entrance :yikes:

[double trouble]

walked through the water (broke through) up to my shins to get to thicker ice of about 1 and one half inches. walked out to the drop off as the ice had a wavy feeling. it would rise and flow.caught a bunch of late season spawning pike that would hit almost anything until we ran out of bait.as we walked in we were kind of stranded on a large sheet of floating ice that was sinking fast.time to pucker up and jump in to thigh deep water for a cold walk in. had to clean the brown streak out of my boxers .never again!!!

[salmonslammer]

For those of you confused on what it is...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pucker+factor


Now when you get really scared...that's sphincter lock.....Keeps you from pooping yourself!!! :evil:

[SNAPPY]

Went out off bay city state park today and felt the "pucker factor" all the way out. Fished in 5 fow without a bump for less than hour cause of the wind and my a@#$%^* told me it wasnt worth it. :rant: As I walked back I came to the first crack (about 2" wide with water going up and down in it) :tdo12: Think I'll wait for winter to return before I go out again. :mad: