Keeping holes from freezing??

Post by **Wallyboss** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:12 am

Does anybody have tricks to keep your fishing holes from freezing. Did everybody see that horseshoe shaped red gadget in the Infisherman Ice Fishing that you hook up to your 12vdc battery and it keeps your ice fishing hole opened.

Dan aka WB

Post by **joco** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:18 am

hi wallyboss.i did saw that unit.in the magasine........

but i gues it must be a bit hard on the batteries.......

some people use windshield washer........

...i dont recomande that,,not to environemently .....

joco

Post by **SteveO** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:25 am

Hi Dan - I did see the product that you mentioned above.

-If the heater is hooked up to your Vex battery, you would be heating the hole that your jigging at...would it be more useful to keep a tip-up hole free of ice?

-The other method that comes to mind is a "bubbler". Maybe an aquarium fish-pump. I imagine it would be more energy efficient than heating. No idea how practical this method would be...

Post by **Wallyboss** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:53 am

Thas is why I'm asking if anybody has tricks, cause my Vex battery is for my Vex.

I've heard of using the auger to make a hole that is about 4" deep right beside your fishing hole, then making a small canal between the two holes and taking a can with heat in it to warm up the water then physics takes over and circulates the warmer water and keeps the hole open. But I haven't tried it. I've used a tobacco can with a roll of toilet paper in it then filling up the can with methyl hydrate so the roll of paper expands then lighting it. I just don't remember how long it lasted.

Dan

Post by **joco** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:02 am

just a piece off blue foam (2inch) work great ,,but it as the e weithed wit somthing to not to low in the wind...

there is a little somthing that is made.its almost like what steve o said.but its batterie operated,,,,,,,,,,,,,it those bubling the hole.....so it do not froze.....

joco

Post by **almontefisher** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:39 am

My best reccomendation is blue styrofoam but you will still need to clean it every now and then or it freezes in the hole.

Post by **JustinHoffman** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:36 pm

Hello All,

When the temps. really drop, and I have tip ups out, the HT Polar Therm is the one I choose. No maintenance, and no worries of your hole freezing. For warmer temps., any of the other "hole-free" designs work well.
For holes that you are actually jigging in, I never worry, as a portable hut is always covering me, with my Mr. Heater Buddy keeping me warm. When you can fish without gloves on, there's no chance of your holes freezing.
Unless it is mild, I always drag my hut to the next location. I've realized over all the years, that it's foolish to stand out in -20 degree weather, line blowing, holes freezing and line guides encasing. Played that game for many years, and never will I again.
So, I guess thats my suggestion. A portable hut, and a Polar Therm tip up for those cold days. Works well for me...

Good Fishing,
Justin

Post by **SteveO** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:26 pm

Thanks JH > I found that useful.

Post by **joco** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:17 pm

here one great little outfit,,,,and you can plug it on your vex batterie..

http://www.reedssports.com/Product.taf? ... &_ID=10255

joco

Post by **joco** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:19 pm

here one great little outfit,,,,and you can plug it on your vex batterie..

http://www.reedssports.com/Product.taf? ... &_ID=10255

and read the tread here ,,a lot off great ideals...

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/in ... pic=4294.0

joco

Post by **jbarker** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:58 pm

on sunny days a black ping pong ball in the hole works.(as ong as it isn't too cold or windy). But the absoltue best is catching fish.lol. Hole can't freeze if you are constantly catching fish!

Post by **Wall-I-Guy** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:30 am

Pee in 'em, regularly!

Just kidding......

Personally, I don't mind the constant clearing of the ice holes, I find it keeps me moving, thus keeping me warm too.

Post by **Wallyboss** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 8:19 am

I don't mind clearing the holes it's just I want something to keep the hole for my Windlass opened.

Post by **SteveO** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:42 pm

Joco - thanks for the links. Good find!

Post by **BBRich** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 12:00 am

I have put vegetable oil down on real cold days, it doesnt stop it from freezing but it keeps it broken up and easy to scoop.