by Capt. Dan Manyen

  "The way things used to be"

continued... down the ice hole for an interested perch to approach my offering. Dad would scream 10 times a trip, "Get off the ice before you catch your death."

With the top-of-the-line modern snowmobiles and 4 wheelers both costing about $3,000 more than I paid for my first new pickup truck back in 1974, transportation has become quit expensive, yet refined and advanced.

These four wheel drive (Mini Jeeps) and (Super Sleds) can dig, cut or power their way through almost anything the winter elements can throw at them.

The payload and power these (winter busters) can handle is awesome. My own 250 Yamaha 2 wheel drive (equipped with chains) hauls me, my dog sled with 2 passengers and my 4 man Otter Skin shanty, auger and gear without a whimper.

And speaking of augers, I know my Grandpa would have been in awe seeing as many as six 10" ice holes cut and clean in as many minutes.

This handy little tool also makes it a lot easier when you decide to move and find other likely spots, knowing that it won't take all day and get you all sweated up while doing so.

He would also be impressed with both the electric igniter and the propane heater I use, to keep the shanty in that 60-plus degree comfort zone, versus setting outside in the elements on a 6 gallon pail all day.

And wouldn't he flip watching my Vexilar FL-8 light up and being able to see not only the approaching fish, but every move his jigging lure is making.

And just heading out and letting lady luck or the local fishing pack dictate where you decide to fish, is also a thing of the past.

Latitude, Longitude and Global Positioning Satellites have made lady luck only a partial player in the success equation.

As a modern day GPS, with the help of that particular Lake or Bay Loran navigation map, can take you to that exact hump in deep water, ledge, point or drop off.

And if you do find that sweet spot, it can take you right back to the same holes the next day, even if a fresh snow covers your trail.

Often times while ice fishing, (especially walleyes), why you're catching fish in a certain spot can be baffling.

I've often had my best luck in deep featureless expanses, where the nearest structure, drop off or ledge is almost a mile away.

The walleyes built in instinct to continually roam and forage is always working. And I often think they have unseen or subtle little depressions they fallow along the bottom while foraging.

Hitting these spots and staying on them is often imperative, and these modern tools make it a lot easier than in the old days.

I guess the modern day rods, reels, lures and the many different kinds of lines have also had an impact. But in a much smaller capacity than the other modern gizmos mentioned.

And getting outfitted with all the above mentioned gear would indeed be a huge investment. But the trade off is clear.

Your chances for ice fishing success are more than doubled compared to the old days....

I suppose I could rattle off a hundred different lure choices along with the ways and places to use them.

But each body of water you'll ice fish, seems to have its own favorite motis-oper-endi. Variables like lure choices, colors, and techniques when using them, along with bait types, colors and sizes can also make a big difference on the many different bodies of water you'll fish.

And all the things mentioned so far are actually just

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