Our Outdoors: The Hottest Stuff on Ice - 2009

Each winter brings with it new innovation for ice anglers across the upper reaches of the United States and into Canada, be it clothing, rods, lures or electronics; the latest tweaks on technology or new inventions help anglers get the edge over winter fish. What follows is a highlight of some of the notable additions to winter arsenals that are quickly becoming the Hottest Stuff on Ice for 2009.

Electronic Advancements
The most notable change on the ice this season will be the addition of Humminbird’s ICE series of flashers. The ICE-35, -45 and -55 mirror competitors’ units in the fact that as you advance up the price scale, there are more bells and whistles to play with. However, the ICE series offers more than their predecessors do in terms of display and options on all models. The depth measurement on the ICE-45 and -55’s familiar circular display automatically adjusts a grayscale numbering to whatever depth an angler is in, eliminating the need to manually adjust depth readings and try to figure out what a line on the depth scale means. The series also boasts a six-color display for recognition of finer signals under the ice. To help new users adjust to the unit, the ICE-55 has a standard “Vexilar” color scheme and a “Marcum” palette for its display. More information can be found at www.humminbird.com

If you weren’t able to get a sweet deal on Black Friday for a flat panel TV, maybe you could redirect that money toward Marcum’s new underwater camera system with an eight-inch flat-panel full color screen. The VS-825C boasts an 800x600 pixel flat panel screen with carrying case, 75 feet of cable and a top-quality camera with lighting for underwater viewing. View screenshots and find more information on the market’s first color flat-panel camera at Marcum’s website www.marcum-tech.com

Lured In
New lures are often a highlight in many ice anglers’ stockings at Christmas time; this season will bring with it a plethora of new spoons, jigs and soft plastics designed for ice fishing.

Lindy injects its X-Change jig system into hardwater circles by offering a jig that allows anglers to switch the weight and color of their jig head without retying – a blessing for those who lose fine motor coordination in the cold and blustery conditions of winter. Find out more at www.lindyfishingtackle.com .

Northland seizes on the soft plastic craze with a variety of soft plastic bodies coupled with their best selling jigs. The Scud Bug, Slug Bug and Bloodworm soft plastics imitate aquatic insects and worms that panfish and perch prey upon, particularly in the wintertime, when these creatures make up the bulk of their diet. See all Northland has to offer this year at www.northlandtackle.com .

Berkley continues to expand its Gulp! Alive! line of natural baits which are said to out fish live bait. New this year, and targeted specifically at ice anglers are Gulp! Alive! waxies, angleworms and maggots. Berkley keeps the hype factor set on high for its tubs of Gulp! Alive! minnows which look to take the concern of dying baitfish away from anglers. All Gulp! Alive! products come in resealable tubs and containers with liquid designed to keep the baits fresh and usable, as long as they are properly sealed. For a complete line of baits and products, visit www.berkley-fishing.com .

Clotheslines
Heat Factory continues to combine its iron-filing heat packets with a rapidly developing clothing line complete with pockets which not only store the warmers, but also channel the heat around a person’s body. In addition to last year’s pants, shirts and balaclavas, this year Heat Factory has added a neck gator and socks with pockets and channels to provide warmth to what would be exposed skin, or sensitive toes. Find the clothes that fit your needs at www.heatfactory.com

Finally, if you’re looking to get jacked up for some ice fishing, and need some Metallica to help you get through a marathon hole-punching session, look no further than Nike to integrate tunage into warm-weather sportswear. Nike’s new Hatphone, a stocking cap designed for those who exercise in cold weather and can’t go without some auditory stimulation, provides heat-retaining headwear with headphones built right in. What’s more, you can download your favorite music to your iPod Nano and plug and secure the player directly into the special connection pocket sewn into the hat! Now you’re ready to rock – literally! To tune up your headgear, log on to www.nike.com .

What’s next for ice fishing gear is anyone’s guess. As for now, the trend continues to diversify lures, increase efficiency and add creature comforts to every trip taken each winter…in our outdoors.