In addition to warm clothes and waterproof boots the following gear is all you need to catch fish through the ice in the winter:

A short fishing rod and a small reel.
Fishing line.
A package of wax worms or meal worms, and some small hooks.

Tackle

Jigging rod – Light and flexible rods used mostly for panfish (bluegills) and walleye. A short, firmer rod is better for perch.

Tip-up – A clever device that signals when a fish hits on your line. A flag “tips up” when the fish strikes and gives you the freedom to leave the fishing hole for a moment. Read the rest of this entry »