safe or sorry

[limeyangler]

thought i'd try a poll...messed it up....lol

 

 

Anyway...whadaya think...this is the thickness of ice i have out the front of the house....inched around 10 feet out checking as i went.

 

I'm pretty confident it is pretty much the same thickness all over the bay as it froze all at once....depth of the bay pretty even, and no deeper than 15'.

 

 

So....should i do it....get an evening icefishing session....lol...i think my mind is already made up actually...just thought i'd throw that out in the forum out of interest.

 

 

 

ICE CHUNK I HACKED OUT WITH AN AXE 10 FEET FROM SHORE

 

Edited December 9, 2009 by limeyangler

[muddler]

My dad told me, "You can play safe anytime and often, you can be sorry only once if you risk your life."

 

 

6 inches is the minimum for me.

 

muddler

[bigugli]

Wait one more night for that extra inch.

[anders]

Good Luck tonight!

[Terry]

if you are careful and a floater suit

go for it

[danbouck]

8" minimum for me. I am on the bigger side though

[troutologist]

With a buddy I would venture out on less than that. Like to have 4+ when Im by myself. Just go slow and check often. Keep your spacing if with someone.

 

By having the appropriate gear, rope, icepicks, life jacket/floater suit you can be prepared for the worst.

 

You have to be comfortable as the one on the ice. Not me. Constantly twitching because of poor ice is not a fun time.

[limeyangler]

Constantly twitching because of poor ice is not a fun time.

 

 

I think what you are referring to is 'the personal pucker factor'

[Fishnwire]

I found this online.

 

 

4 inches 200 pounds (one person and gear)

5 inches 800 pounds (one snowmobile)

7 inches 1,500 pounds (group of people)

8 inches 2,000 pounds (one car)

 

 

In all honsety, one winter in my youth I was the first guy to fish Ramsey Lake in Sudbury for the season. There was little more than 3 inches. There's a walking trail right where I went on the ice and was fishing and people who passed by were yelling at me to "get off the ice you crazy kid," I decided to get off when I noticed that my dog running on the ice was causing the ice to deflect, as evidenced by the raising and falling water line in my hole. Don't be stupid like me, be smart like you.

 

 

You get a real sick feeling when you put the blades of your auger against the ice, push down, turn only four times and you're through.

Edited December 9, 2009 by Fishnwire

[Twocoda]

when in doubt ...dont go out ...2 feet of ice isnt think enough for me ...

[johnnyb]

4 inches I'd be out there...maybe wearing a life jacket...definitely with my ice-picks out and hanging at my side, not jammed in my pockets.

[irishfield]

Our neighbours at the lake would die for that much ice right now... with them stuck on their island with only an inch of ice on the lake (and him with a broken leg in a cast). I'd be on it Simon... properly dressed and prepared.

[gone_fishin]

4 inches... what are you waiting for? lol. i was on 3 inches last year on Simcoe over 110 fow. floater suit was worn obviously.

[pike slayer]

if i was you i'd be out there right now

lots of ice for walking out. just check often and go with a buddy and you'll be fine

bring back pics!

make us jealous!

[pike slayer]

if i was you i'd be out there right now

lots of ice for walking out. just check often and go with a buddy and you'll be fine

bring back pics!

make us jealous!

[pike slayer]

if i was you i'd be out there right now

lots of ice for walking out. just check often and go with a buddy and you'll be fine

bring back pics!

make us jealous!

[trapshooter]

so let me get this straight.... you already walked out on the ice.... CHOPPED a hole in it..... and DIDN'T drop a line!?!?!

 

Personally, I'd be all over that, Simon. Your call though...

Edited December 9, 2009 by BenBeattie

[Spiel]

Yep, I'd be on it. Properly dressed and prepared but I'd be on it.

[NAW]

Giver.. It would be good to have a buddy with ya though..

[Leecher]

Personally I wouldn't go.... I'd wait til you see a report from us first joke joke

Kidding aside...... looks like you have 3" inches of good black ice, go for it but don't venture out too far.

 

Have fun Simon and be safe!!!

Jacques

Edited December 9, 2009 by Leechman

[Harrison]

Yep, good enough for me. But I'd probably spud out to be safe with first ice. Is it spring fed?

[Dara]

Its your call. For me, If I stand at shore and have to decide if there is enough ice or not, then its not.

 

Its either safe, or I don't go

[Sinker]

I'd giver. Spud your way out. Whack the ice, take a step.......repeat. You can hear the sound change if your getting closer to thinner/softer ice. You'll be fine.

 

S.

[Big Cliff]

With a buddy, survival suit, and a long rope ATTACHED, go for it. There might be 4" of ice on that bay but one spring under the ice and you could easily find yourself swimming. ONE mistake could easily be the last one you will ever make.

[limeyangler]

Hey All,

 

interesting to see the range of opinion. seems like 3 main trends in the reply.....

 

1) What the hell ya waiting for!

 

2) Go....but with all the safety equipment and a buddy

 

3) your nuts....dont go!

 

 

 

Well i was intending to go with number 2 option but my buddy could'nt make it....gawd knows he wanted to, so i decided not to go.

 

Guess it all comes down to your own 'personal pucker factor'....lol....and i'd be a puckerin' for sure...not my idea of a relaxing time even if i avoid the icy plunge!

 

 

Be safe everyone...

 

 

Cheers

 

 

Simon