Breaking ICE?

[Ryan Vande Griend]

Tomorrow we plan on going hunting big water, but the boat launch is most likely froze up because its in a back bay...an inch of ice or so possibly. My question for all of you other die hards is what do you think the best ice breaking tool is from a boat? What has worked well for you all in the past? Our first thoughts were pieces of wood, or something.

Thanks for any ideas...

[Ben Cade]

Only an inch? Use the boat. Just go slow and you'll be fine. Sometimes a 2x4 is needed to bust up around the landing to get the boat in.

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/771/dsc0407bt0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/dsc0407bt0.jpg/1/w640.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img140/dsc0407bt0.jpg/1/)

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/5198/dsc0601so4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/dsc0601so4.jpg/1/w640.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img76/dsc0601so4.jpg/1/)

[cottonwoodsman]

a dirt tamper works pretty well...

[MarshRunner]

sledge hammer or shovel

[Darren Dittman]

Only an inch? Use the boat. Just go slow and you'll be fine. Sometimes a 2x4 is needed to bust up around the landing to get the boat in.

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/771/dsc0407bt0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/dsc0407bt0.jpg/1/w640.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img140/dsc0407bt0.jpg/1/)

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/5198/dsc0601so4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/dsc0601so4.jpg/1/w640.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img76/dsc0601so4.jpg/1/)

Nice pic Ben... And it was a 2x10. ;)

[calling4life]

I use my boat to break ice.

We have broke ice and been dealing with this on our past 4 or 5 hunts.

Remember a rake to get the chunks out of your hole, mallard machines or good jerk cords, to help keep motion and keep the surface from gaining a thin layer of ice.

If you have to break ice in front of the boat, any blunt tool you can get a good handle on with some good thick waterproof gloves. I find when doing this, water can spray everywhere, so I like thick waterproof ice fishing gloves, but in turn, that doesn't give me a good grip. So that is just something to keep in mind.

Sledge hammer, something with some weight behind it is best, wood works, but a little harder when you get in the thicker stuff.

Like I said, watch the grip, because there is nothing like smashing ice from the front of your boat, just to drop the sledgehammer and watch your hunt sink to the bottom of the lake.

[Lorne]

We've been breaking ice since tuesday, Both in St. clair and Erie, Erie ( rondeau bay) had almost 2inches back in the bay today. we all have steel hulls so its not an issue but... depending on thickness, a nice 6 pound sledge works good, or an ice fishing spud. Go get'em, when it gets damn cold and windy, and you have to break ice for a hlaf mile or better, you are usually the only one out there and smash em:)

Lorne

[Yooper350]

Be very careful with an aluminum boat and ice, every year some yahoo's go down trying to get through the ice. Ice wears aluminum very fast and if you aren't paying attention you are in a very bad situation very quickly. Be safe and good luck.

[Wayne Radcliffe]

Try a 4x4.

[HonkBirdBomber]

Just a thought on the sledgehammer slipping out of your hands. Drill a hole in the end then tie it off with enough slack to still use it and then tie the other end to something secure in the boat. This way if it slips out you can just pull the rope back in.:)

[Dirt_Bag]

Dont forget to think about the trailer lights:eek: depending on placment they may hit the ice on launching unless ice is broken up:mad:

[quackaddict]

A sledge will clear any pesky ice from your path. We use the boat after we get it turned and in deep enough water.

[Double B]

This is why I put bed liner on the front of the boat...:rolleyes: But, as stated previously, a sledge for busting open the access, mainly so you don't bust the trailer lights out. Once you get going you should be fine....

[Tony Vandemore]

We always use axes and hatchets, they work pretty slick.

[Scott Turpen]

This is why I put bed liner on the front of the boat...:rolleyes: ..

I like the idea but doesn't that kinda slow the boat down a little?

[Webbedconnection]

Try a 20 1/2 foot custom made Steel hull boat! Get the people to the stern to get the prop down and the bow up and let the weight of the baot break the ice.

We broke 1 1/2" to 2" of ice about 1/2 mile to day to get to open water today. Of couse when we go to the open water, it was calm and gray with nothing flying!

[penpal]

We always use axes and hatchets, they work pretty slick.
DING DING DING, We have a winner ! Make good use of those tools slide the ice pieces out and under. Go hunt. A 4x4, are you serious ???:rolleyes:

[Spank'em]

The best tool i've used for getting ice outta the hole is a sein net. Way quicker than a rake.

[GooseBusterz]

My question for all of you other die hards is what do you think the best ice breaking tool is from a boat? What has worked well for you all in the past?

A SBE2.

[Mike Bard]

Your boat should break the ice if it's only an inch. However we usually bring sledge hammers and axes if we think it's going to be thick. Good luck and most importantly be safe!

[Mike Adams]

A SBE2.

lol :D

[GooseBusterz]

lol :D

We've used my buddie's SBE for alot of things. Shooting birds inst really one of them LOL.

[D_Rob]

In the past me and my hunting buddies found it much faster to cut ice with a chain saw and then sliding the big chunks under the ice shelf, i dont know about safer but it sure makes a clean cut and looks good to flying birds and theres not alot of choppie ice thats all broken up laying evrywhere around the hole.

[Rob Cater]

Another vote for the chain saw. Just a little noisey full bodies on the rim of the open water with a jerk cord, very cool

[Tom Cannon, www.Outdoor-z.com]

have used the chain saw trick myself with good results. Its best to use a small light weight one since its easier on the hunter and less likely to go to the bottom of the lake!!!