Ice-Fishing Vacation/School

The next Ice-Fishing Vacation/School will once again be held on the ever-popular ice-covered Saginaw Bay!

This year's event will take place Sunday, February 6, through Wednesday, February 9, 2011. We'll be starting each day's activities from Linwood Beach Marina, located on the western shore of Saginaw Bay.

The cost for this year's three full-day event (half-day Sunday, full days Monday and Tuesday, and half-day Wednesday) will soon be posted, as well lodging and dining information.

As always, the event will include personal seminars and guided on-the-ice time with the professional instructors, and Sunday evening's "how-to" seminar, as well a trip to Frank's Great Outdoors, of Linwood, MI, for last minute shopping with the pros.

About ice fishing Saginaw Bay

Saginaw Bay's a huge expanse of water and we will be getting to and from our fishing spots via quad or snowmobile, as well fishing within an ice shanty. But not to worry for those of you who do not have this type of transportation or a portable shelter as we have options available. Rides to and from the ice fishing spots and Linwood Beach Marina are available for $25 per angler per day, and two-man heated ice shanties are available for $50 per day.

What you'll need

The following is a list of equipment you'll want for this experience, which, if you don't already have, are available at both Linwood Beach Marina’s tackle department and Frank's Great Outdoors:

• Portable ice shanty (a cover, Hyfax runners, and a tow hitch for towing are suggested as towing on hard ice is rough on equipment and the aforementioned will keep your shelter and equipment in tip-top shape)
• Portable heater and plenty of fuel
• Super-sharp auger at least 8 inches in diameter (either a hand or power auger will work fine)
• Medium-action ice rods and reels (at least two), spooled with 6- to 14-pound test line. Tip-ups are suggested, too. Fluorocarbon leader of 6 to 10-pound test is suggested, as well
• Lures in assorted sizes and colors, including: Body jigs such as Rapala Jigging Raps and Northland Puppet Minnows, and jigging spoons like Northland Macho Minnows and Bay de Noc Lure Company's Do-Jiggers
• Terminal tackle including small ball-bearing swivels and snaps for jigging, and size-10 to -6 single hooks, assorted split-shot, and floats for deadsticking (live bait fishing)
• Quality sonar is not mandatory but is suggested!
• A hand-held GPS, which is also not mandatory (as instructors will have them), is suggested, especially if loaded with a mapping chip/program for Saginaw Bay, such as those by Navionics
• A compass
• Ice creepers (ice can be slippery)
• Proper clothing! Ice fishing a large expanse of water can be a cold experience for those who are not properly dresses. Dress in many thin layers under your bibs, parka, and boots.

Want to learn how to catch more fish while ice fishing, as well have a great time doing it? Look no further than the Ice Fishing Vacation/School 2011 held on Saginaw Bay.

And just as last year, this year's Ice-Fishing Vacation/School will be limited to only 25 anglers, so sign up soon!

For information and to sign up for this event contact Scott Szafranski or Darla Worden at Linwood Beach Marina by phone 989-697-4415, or by email. Or, call Mark Martin direct at (Home) 231-744-0330, or (Cell) 231-740-6427, or through our Contact Page.

We hope to see you there!