Official tPB ice fishing thread

[Jim14510]

Every year I think about buying the new ones and end with "It works, why spend money to replace it"... Thats why I have a 6 year old compound bow, a 4 year old ice flasher, 6 year old fish finders, a 4 year old trolling motor and my $2,500 shotgun stays in the cabinet while I use the same over/under 28 gauge I've used for 25 years unless I'm goose hunting. I suck at keeping up with the new shit.

In my eyes I'm a samurai that's mastered his sword so will be worse with a new one. In reality I'm just firmly making my transition into being a grumpy old fucking man that bitches and moans about change.

Every time I think about getting a new sonar I just think about running the new transducer wire or whatever installation is required in too cramped of a space and I'm cured.

 

[Ripping Lips]

Every time I think about getting a new sonar I just think about running the new transducer wire or whatever installation is required in too cramped of a space and I'm cured.

What kind of boat do you have?

 

[Jim14510]

What kind of boat do you have?

Lund Tyee. The dash area and back section is a fucking pain in the ass to do anything in.

 

[Ripping Lips]

Lund Tyee. The dash area and back section is a fucking pain in the ass to do anything in.

For running cables, using the flexible rods from dryer vent cleaning kits work good, especially running transducer cables. For graph power, it’s best to run 6 or 8 gauge wire to the dash and have a fuse panel there dedicated for your electronics. If you by chance put graphs on your bow, run 8 to 10 gauge wire from that panel to the bow. I’ve rigged a few boats.

 

[Jim14510]

For running cables, using the flexible rods from dryer vent cleaning kits work good, especially running transducer cables. For graph power, it’s best to run 6 or 8 gauge wire to the dash and have a fuse panel there dedicated for your electronics. If you by chance put graphs on your bow, run 8 to 10 gauge wire from that panel to the bow. I’ve rigged a few boats.

I have a fuse panel. The dryer vent kit is a good tip.

I have not rigged a few boats. Just mine. So I suck at it. I couldn't even tell you what gauge wire I have. I've added so much shit from when I got it I should seriously consider running new wires.

Just not something I'm good at nor do I enjoy piddling with it but I'm also too tight to pay for shit I know I'm capable of doing.

So it more than likely just won't get done.

 

[Ripping Lips]

I have a fuse panel. The dryer vent kit is a good tip.

I have not rigged a few boats. Just mine. So I suck at it. I couldn't even tell you what gauge wire I have. I've added so much shit from when I got it I should seriously consider running new wires.

Just not something I'm good at nor do I enjoy piddling with it but I'm also too tight to pay for shit I know I'm capable of doing.

So it more than likely just won't get done.

From my experience, it's usually best to put all of your electronics on a separate fuse panel vice tied into the one for any livewell pumps and other stuff. A lot of marine dealers do a half ass job of rigging boats and now some specialty rigging shops make dedicated wiring harnesses for their electronics from the battery to electronics to include a kill switch. I believe Sonar Pros does this and then there's the Sea Clear Harness which people like, but definitely cheaper to build your own. If I lived closed, would hook you up.

 

[BugeaterInWa]

Hopefully in the nearish future, I'll be putting a new top on and getting new electronics (raymarine chart/sonar as well as new radar).

I think there is a chance of @Jim14510 coming out to fish the big water this summer with me in FV Canned Corn.

 

[BluesBucksNHuskers]

Anyone else out tonight? This warm day has the fish flying around and eating right now

 

[PLA]

I’m a bass guy myself and have the equipment, but I rarely use it where I fish because I’m mostly fishing pads and underwater grass. I’d love to learn how to catch them on the big swimbaits, but it’s hard to put down the chatterbait or crankbait at times to concentrate on it.

The only time I use FFS is approaching boat docks or deep brush piles, but do agree with you that the bite is better once you shut it off due to how load the ping is.

RL if ya come to SD I’ll take you out and throw big baits! Chase giant smallies with rats! Nothing like it! That goes for any of you guys if you want to chase fish in SD let me know.

 

[PLA]

I run all Garmin electronics and a force trolling motor. It has some gremlins but it’s pretty baddass. I replaced an Ultrex with it. Before that I ran MotorGuides going back to 1994. Garmin Force has tons of power, and the wireless foot pedal is awesome.

I’ll be on the ice tomorrow!

 

[PLA]

Jim
This is my new favorite color. Gain at 65%
Reach at 40ft

 

[Jim14510]

Jim
This is my new favorite color. Gain at 65%
Reach at 40ft

I'll try that color. I've used amber and whatever the green color is. I haven't given the blue a solid try.

Usually have the gain 60-65. Seems like the higher the range the lower I have to set the gain to decrease the ghost tree.

That picture is way clearer than I've ever got mine.

 

[PLA]

I'll try that color. I've used amber and whatever the green color is. I haven't given the blue a solid try.

Usually have the gain 60-65. Seems like the higher the range the lower I have to set the gain to decrease the ghost tree.

That picture is way clearer than I've ever got mine.

Which transducer are you using?
Is the top of your transducer flat horizontal?

 

[PLA]

I’m fishing over a flooded road bridge. Can never get those suckers to bite!
View attachment IMG_0355.MOV

 

[Jim14510]

Which transducer are you using?
Is the top of your transducer flat horizontal?

Think its the 32 not the 34 but looks like that picture. Not sure. Believe the sonar is the Echomap 93sv. Think I got in winter of 2022. It was on sale before the new model came out in late 2022 early 2023.

 

[Jim14510]

I’m fishing over a flooded road bridge. Can never get those suckers to bite!
View attachment 49162

I fish the northernmost flooded road on Waubay quite a bit when up there. They always seem to bite better on a 1/4 oz jighead with a little spinner there.


Those to be specific. Maybe it's in my head but brother and dad always end up switching to it too.

 

[PLA]

Mine is a 34 with the newest gen 93sv. It’s made a difference, but it’s not necessary to have the new one of either. You should still be able to get it fairly clear. Like I said yesterday, make sure the trans is just passed the ice. Not too deep under it. Also you can try clicking and changing the angle of the trans. It’s all about the proper depth to gain combination. My water depth was 9.5 under the trans, my setting was 15ft, Gain at 65, range 40ft.

 

[BugeaterInWa]

I fish the northernmost flooded road on Waubay quite a bit when up there. They always seem to bite better on a 1/4 oz jighead with a little spinner there.

View attachment 49166
Those to be specific. Maybe it's in my head but brother and dad always end up switching to it too.

@Jim14510 bring a handful of those in yellow and while with you.

 

[PLA]

That country up there is amazing! I’m up there a lot, but different lakes. I’m about 35 minutes south of 81 Ponds, the first amazing lake in a line of great ones. Was there yesterday. The ice is so clear you can see the weeds through the ice. Wild! Giant Muskies in that lake, along with big smallies/largies, and rough fish like walleye, pike, perch,white bass, gills,etc.

 

[Jim14510]

Mine is a 34 with the newest gen 93sv. It’s made a difference, but it’s not necessary to have the new one of either. You should still be able to get it fairly clear. Like I said yesterday, make sure the trans is just passed the ice. Not too deep under it. Also you can try clicking and changing the angle of the trans. It’s all about the proper depth to gain combination. My water depth was 9.5 under the trans, my setting was 15ft, Gain at 65, range 40ft.

I'm just soft water fishing. The transducer is on a pole that goes just below the surface.