Unfortunately in southeastern Ontario, we've already had at least 2 people go through the ice and not make it out in time. Hopefully this will help keep some people off of thin ice
Too many people are too comfortable taking other people's word for it. Ice can change from day to day, even hour to hour. Where it was 4", could be 3 or 2 just a few hours later if the conditions are right
If you're new to ice fishing, the absolute best way to learn is to hire a guide! They should be able to provide everything you need, and you get to try out ice fishing with very little financial commitment as opposed to buying everything only to realize that you don't like it. Ice fishing is for everyone, but not everyone enjoys it :P
Safety and precaution is obviously important but also just wait until there is a safe amount of ice... Every year people can't wait and head out to early and go through the ice or put their machines through the ice and for what. Patience is a Virtue
This is unfortunately true, every. single. year. OR, people just take the word of others or see signs that people have been out already and assume the ice is safe and end up going through because the ice condition had changed since they got that information. Never take someone's word on ice conditions, always check for yourself!
Awesome video. It sure makes you feel better when you know you have check the ice before you go out. I bought a 7 lb spud bar at princess auto. I always wanted to buy one and I finally I did. Thanks a lot and your video has given us wisdom to be more safe.
I'm so glad you learned from my video! Ice safety is serious business and a Spud Bar should be everyone's #1 safety tool. It's the only way to know %100 that the ice you're about to walk on is thick enough to hold you up.
@@jeffdicks got my ice chissel. Very happy with the weight 7lbs. Cannot wait to try it this season and I am looking forward for safe ice. It has to be 4 to 5 inches of blue ice for me. It was your video that made me decide to buy one this year. Temperatures are not consisted like they use to be so I am being careful to always check on my way out. Thanks again.
I think I told you before I got the same bar....Do you like that it breaks in the middle? I havent decided if i do. That little sloppiness annoys me lol
Honestly, I never break it down into two anyways. The one I got has a lot of burrs in the top part so one time I tried to take it apart, I had to use a hammer to pound it out. Since putting it back together after that I haven't bothered again trying to separate the two pieces. It fits nicely in the bed of my truck anyways so there's no reason for me to have to do it anyways. Because of those burrs and how stuck together the two halves are, it feels like a 1 piece spud for me. Theres no play or sloppiness at all. 🤷♂️
Thanks for your time and effort. You’re right, not many people on TH-cam show how to test ice AHEAD of you. Makes good sense. There are lakes around Chicagoland that have springs. About the size of a garbage can lid. It may or may not freeze over. Checking every 6’ is a good idea. On both sides ahead of you, I’d say. Thanks again
@@jeffdicks Here’s another scary observation that other ice fishermen need to know about; around here, in Chicagoland, the local fire department diving teams like to conduct practice dives in the winter. They cut a square hole in the ice the size of a wood pallet. I imagine to fit them with their tanks on. I saw this at Montrose Harbor a few years ago and Axehead lake in Des Plaines IL last winter. It doesn’t always freeze over. Or it may take a while. And it might have skim ice, and it may have snowed the night before...... and everything looks solid. So what do you think about chipping at the ice on your left AND right sides, not just on the right side?
If your not sure, caution is ALWAYS the best practice. Ice NEVER freezes uniformly, so where it's 4 inches in one spot, it could be less than 2 inches a foot away. Air temperatures, snow conditions, any current in the water and previous rain should all be a factor in the precautions one takes whenever they head out on the ice.
@@jeffdicks Back again in October 22. Thanks again for your knowledge and experience. I’ve got a small lake I’m going icefishing to this winter. Your demonstration gave me the vote of confidence. Harness, pfd, and multi chisel spud bar that’s heavy. And 60/64” long. No need to sit in the house this winter. 8 + 9” bluegills out there.
Great Video thank you!! Very informative! Is that a PFD vest you are wearing? I also like the idea of the whistle attached, just in case you are alone and fall in, Safety first for sure! Thanks again👊🏻👊🏻
I'm glad you liked it! And yes, that's a PFD I'm wearing in this video. I don't have a float suit and that ice was not very consistent so I use what I have to make sure I come home at the end of an ice fishing trip
I'm glad you liked the video and that it helped you learn a little more about being safe on the ice! A Spud bar is my #1 tool I never leave home without when I go ice fishing, even if I know I'll be on thick ice!
Well, in St.Petersburg(Russia) we have a big lake (Ladoga) and guys walking to they fishing spot many kilometres (5-10 and even more) And its quite uneasy use that bar during long journey ..Anyway its very useful spear ,and some guys use it .We call it "peshnya" .
This is not even close to being true. Underwater features like springs and current not easily visible from the top of the ice can wreck havoc on thickness. I have personally experienced ice variance from 8" to 2" in just a few feet due to current under the ice. Never assume that any body of water freezes uniformly. It could be a mistake that costs you your life. If you are not familiar with a lake and it's features, always err on the side of caution.
Unfortunately in southeastern Ontario, we've already had at least 2 people go through the ice and not make it out in time. Hopefully this will help keep some people off of thin ice
The man for saying never ever take anyone's word for ice thickness or safety totally agree
Too many people are too comfortable taking other people's word for it. Ice can change from day to day, even hour to hour. Where it was 4", could be 3 or 2 just a few hours later if the conditions are right
I'm new to ice fishing. First time last year. In Barrie, with a friend. Loved it!! Thanks for posting this. I would have used it wrong. Thanks again
That's great! I only started ice fishing last year too, actually.
I'm glad this video was informative for you!
Important topic, very good video! Thinking about going ice fishing for the first time, will do more research.
If you're new to ice fishing, the absolute best way to learn is to hire a guide! They should be able to provide everything you need, and you get to try out ice fishing with very little financial commitment as opposed to buying everything only to realize that you don't like it. Ice fishing is for everyone, but not everyone enjoys it :P
Great tutorial and advice. Thank you!
Thank you so much! I'm happy I was able to help learn how to use a spud bar. Be safe on the ice!
Safety and precaution is obviously important but also just wait until there is a safe amount of ice...
Every year people can't wait and head out to early and go through the ice or put their machines through the ice and for what.
Patience is a Virtue
This is unfortunately true, every. single. year. OR, people just take the word of others or see signs that people have been out already and assume the ice is safe and end up going through because the ice condition had changed since they got that information. Never take someone's word on ice conditions, always check for yourself!
Awesome video. It sure makes you feel better when you know you have check the ice before you go out. I bought a 7 lb spud bar at princess auto. I always wanted to buy one and I finally I did. Thanks a lot and your video has given us wisdom to be more safe.
I'm so glad you learned from my video! Ice safety is serious business and a Spud Bar should be everyone's #1 safety tool. It's the only way to know %100 that the ice you're about to walk on is thick enough to hold you up.
@@jeffdicks got my ice chissel. Very happy with the weight 7lbs. Cannot wait to try it this season and I am looking forward for safe ice. It has to be 4 to 5 inches of blue ice for me. It was your video that made me decide to buy one this year. Temperatures are not consisted like they use to be so I am being careful to always check on my way out. Thanks again.
I think I told you before I got the same bar....Do you like that it breaks in the middle? I havent decided if i do. That little sloppiness annoys me lol
Honestly, I never break it down into two anyways. The one I got has a lot of burrs in the top part so one time I tried to take it apart, I had to use a hammer to pound it out. Since putting it back together after that I haven't bothered again trying to separate the two pieces. It fits nicely in the bed of my truck anyways so there's no reason for me to have to do it anyways. Because of those burrs and how stuck together the two halves are, it feels like a 1 piece spud for me. Theres no play or sloppiness at all. 🤷♂️
@@jeffdicks guess I’m gonna weld mine hahah
Thanks for your time and effort.
You’re right, not many people on TH-cam show how to test ice AHEAD of you. Makes good sense.
There are lakes around Chicagoland that have springs. About the size of a garbage can lid.
It may or may not freeze over. Checking every 6’ is a good idea. On both sides ahead of you, I’d say.
Thanks again
Springs can make things even more dicey for sure, especially to people who are new to ice fishing!
Thanks for the positive feedback!
@@jeffdicks
Here’s another scary observation that other ice fishermen need to know about; around here, in Chicagoland, the local fire department diving teams like to conduct practice dives in the winter. They cut a square hole in the ice the size of a wood pallet. I imagine to fit them with their tanks on.
I saw this at Montrose Harbor a few years ago and Axehead lake in Des Plaines IL last winter.
It doesn’t always freeze over. Or it may take a while.
And it might have skim ice, and it may have snowed the night before......
and everything looks solid.
So what do you think about chipping at the ice on your left AND right sides, not just on the right side?
If your not sure, caution is ALWAYS the best practice. Ice NEVER freezes uniformly, so where it's 4 inches in one spot, it could be less than 2 inches a foot away.
Air temperatures, snow conditions, any current in the water and previous rain should all be a factor in the precautions one takes whenever they head out on the ice.
@@jeffdicks
Back again in October 22. Thanks again for your knowledge and experience.
I’ve got a small lake I’m going icefishing to this winter.
Your demonstration gave me the vote of confidence. Harness, pfd, and multi chisel spud bar that’s heavy. And 60/64” long.
No need to sit in the house this winter.
8 + 9” bluegills out there.
Well demonstrated! I learned something new today!
Thanks Jean! Maybe someday it will help you out!!
Great Video thank you!! Very informative! Is that a PFD vest you are wearing? I also like the idea of the whistle attached, just in case you are alone and fall in, Safety first for sure! Thanks again👊🏻👊🏻
I'm glad you liked it! And yes, that's a PFD I'm wearing in this video. I don't have a float suit and that ice was not very consistent so I use what I have to make sure I come home at the end of an ice fishing trip
Great video to watch and to learn about ice fishing safely thank you!
I'm glad you liked the video and that it helped you learn a little more about being safe on the ice! A Spud bar is my #1 tool I never leave home without when I go ice fishing, even if I know I'll be on thick ice!
I have same bar and measurements as well.
Thanks for sharing this video dude! Great safety vid!
Well, in St.Petersburg(Russia) we have a big lake (Ladoga) and guys walking to they fishing spot many kilometres (5-10 and even more) And its quite uneasy use that bar during long journey ..Anyway its very useful spear ,and some guys use it .We call it "peshnya" .
That would be a long walk, especially if your spudding the whole way out!
hello if you on start check 5inch can belive all lake ice is save - on bay is ice thin, in center area is ice stronger
This is not even close to being true. Underwater features like springs and current not easily visible from the top of the ice can wreck havoc on thickness. I have personally experienced ice variance from 8" to 2" in just a few feet due to current under the ice. Never assume that any body of water freezes uniformly. It could be a mistake that costs you your life. If you are not familiar with a lake and it's features, always err on the side of caution.
Good stuff
Double safety for you to wear floater suit plus kayak PFD
That would be something for sure, but it's not a float suit. Just a True Timber rain suit, which is why I'm wearing the PFD :P
What the colour of the ice
I'm sorry Denis, I don't understand your question. Can you rephrase it?
God is good