How can ice fishing be better then boat fishing?

[Trophymuskie]

I don't get it. For at least one month this board has been inundated with ice fishing posts even though we are months away from ice.

What I don't get is how can ice fishing be better then boat fishing other then you don't need a boat to do it.

I won't list them all but there are dozens of reasons why boat fishing is better then ice fishing especially been able to move around and cover miles of water for all kind of species and secondly been comfortable sitting on a nice seat with a radio and no snow and ice to deal with so staying dry is so much easier.

Don't get me wrong I used to ice fish all the time when I was still a bait fisherman and I loved it.

[Bender]

I don't understand it either, I do it a couple of times a year because my boys want to, but I find being in a boat so much more pleasurable.

Maybe if we actually caught some fish it might be different, although we did get one nice pike last year.

[Wallyboss]

To each his own.

I might change my mind a bit, now that I have a good fishing boat but I bought it to pass the time between Icefishing seasons.

[muskymatt]

They both have their pluses

Ice fishing to me is getting out on a nice day (cold or not)...in my hut with a couple buds chattin and having fun. Have a beer or 2 and catch a few fish....if it's nice enough my wife and kids will even go.

Or I can go hardcore and 4x4 off the beaten path and then haul my ice hut into some sweet remote lake and enjoy total peace and quiet.

I'm still outside and catchin fish ....How can that not be good??

But catching trophy muskie in my boat is pretty tough to beat

So I didn't vote , I like them both for different reasons.

[spk15]

For the vast majority of anglers fishing is an fun outdoor activity that people can enjoy with the accompinament of either friends or family. Some people like chocolate and some people like vanilla. That's what makes the world an interesting place to live in. For myself, any fishing is good fishing as I would think would be the case for the vast majority of people who frequent this website. As with many things in life there are variations of activites from which each and every individual can decide what they like and dislike. As you have stated I believe that ice fishing also gives people an opportunity to venture out onto a body of water who otherwise may not get a chance. Why do people talk about ice fishing now? It's probably the anticipation of being able to do something that they enjoy in the not so distant future.

[Erie-Eyes]

They both have their pluses

Ice fishing to me is getting out on a nice day (cold or not)...in my hut with a couple buds chattin and having fun. Have a beer or 2 and catch a few fish....if it's nice enough my wife and kids will even go.

Or I can go hardcore and 4x4 off the beaten path and then haul my ice hut into some sweet remote lake and enjoy total peace and quiet.

I'm still outside and catchin fish ....How can that not be good??

But catching trophy muskie in my boat is pretty tough to beat

So I didn't vote , I like them both for different reasons.

Well said. I agree completely.

[Tip-up]

I think it's just that time of year Richard...

Well said Matt...

Until spring walleye and pike....

[1lastcast]

My vote: fishing from a boat.

Dont get me wrong I love to ice fish. Both have there possitives.

Now with all the awsome gear for the hard water on the market. being comfortable and having mobilty is easy.

I still have to blow the dust of the atv and hut. But my boat is still not put away. Some of the best fishing is during the late fall and even first Ice. best of all this time of year the lakes become less busy with pleasure boaters and such.

A Newfie wanted to go ice fishing. He saw many books on the subject, and finally, after getting all the necessary "tools" together, he made for the nearest frozen lake. After positioning his comfy footstool, he started to make a circular cut in the ice. Suddenly---from the sky--- a voice boomed,
"THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE!"
Startled, the Newfie moved further down the ice, poured a Thermos of cappuccino, and began to cut yet another hole. Again, from the heavens, the voice bellowed,
"THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE!"
The Newfie, now quite worried, moved way down to the opposite end of the ice, set up his stool, and tried again to cut his hole. The voice came once more.
"THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE!"
He stopped, looked skyward, and said, "Is that you, Lord?"
The voice replied, "NO, THIS IS THE MANAGER OF THE HOCKEY ARENA."

[Bass Addict]

You can,t compare................. fire and water

..................oranges and apples

..................water and ice


Just think of the underhand cast .........under that fallen tree smallmouth smashes it ,Storms out ot the water couple of headshakes ,dances etc

need i say more................ water water water

[slop]

I'll take hardwater over softwater any day!...the colder the better. I never use bait either. I sure hope the ice season isn't months away

[joco]

FOR myself......I just love it.

remember me all those derby me/father did in my younger time..we were in derbys every weekend off winter ice season..it was just great.

i wont say to anyone its better or not.

I love my ice fishing ,but now my close seconde..passion is fishing in my kayak...my boat is park use once this year.

more people should try it.they would see the winter deferently and dont have to wait 4 more month to go back fishing.

its a way to enjoy nature/winter/friends chating etc etc.

i love cold weater...wen fishing..hate it wen working..... .

and a little shore lunch off crappy is not bad to...mmmm

its like sports...i hate golf some just love it.



i love fishing.all species ,all weater,


good tread richard.

by the way there some good musky fishing on ice on some quebec lake..if you ever want to try..


joco.

[joco]

HO ya...one more thing.

its ver accesible to all....just get on ice make a hole and do it.

sheap no boat/trailer/insurance/gaz/tons off tackle(ok mabe not that one.. )..no boat launch fee.etc

joco.

[troutnmuskiehunter]

There's no comparison in my mind when it comes to boat fishing vrs ice fishing...I love going out in the boat and covering a wide body of water searching for fish instead of waiting/hoping for a fish to come to me and pass by my 8" hole in the ice......

Don't get me wrong folks....I still do get out and ice fish seeing how I live on the Ottawa River and own a nice comfy ice shack, that has a wood stove, ceiling fans, and all the comforts of home....but the main reason for doing this is because I'm so addicted to fishing, that I couldn't think of sitting in the house from ice-up to thaw-out in the spring without catching and kissing a poisson (fish)!!

[Moosebunk]

5 months of hardwater fishing.

5 months of softwater fishing.

2 months of freeze and break-up.

It's a no brainer as to why I ice fish because of that truth alone. Second to that, skidooing to get there = fun.

[wolfe]

It's got its own allure, but doesn't come close to fishing from a boat in the mild seasons. I like to go a few times a year, but get too cold too fast -- I would need the sweet set up that Slushy and Bowzog have!

W.