First Annual Bomba Bros Ice Fishing Tourney

[RickBomba]

Very Nice Kevin,
As you know, no one loves the sausage more than my brother!

[FishermanTim]

I would suggest getting an ice thickness measurement, so that you won't potentially have 6-10 guys standing together on 5 inches of ice.
You may want to remind people of the state's "ice safety tips" for anyone new to ice fishing.

here is the short version:
Ice Thickness (inches) Permissible Load
(clear, blue, lake ice)

2" or less STAY OFF!
4" Ice fishing or other activities on foot
5" Snowmobile or ATV
8" - 12" Car or small pickup truck
12" - 15" Medium truck

white (or non-clear ice) 1/2 that of clear ice
Frozen slush " " " "

When we have a thaw / freeze cycle like we have had recently, any snow cover on the ice may just be ice-crusted and should be tested for safety. Trust me, you DO NOT want to join the polar bear club by accident.

For the ice rookies (or less experienced) regardless of whether it's warm or cold, the ice will make noise. Popping and cracking is going to happen, but as long as the temps are cold, it ususally means that ice is forming, not the opposite.

Ice fishing is one outdoor sport where you prepare for an accident every time you head out. Thankfully it's preparation and not reaction.

Hope you all have a great time, and may the call "FLAG!!!" be heard from shore to shore.

[Raven]

depth of spot = 5 feet

i'm bringing a rope anyways

safety first

[FishermanTim]

I'm an avid ice fisherman, and have been for 5+ years.
I haven't gone through the ice, and (knock on wood) I don't plan on doing so. Just the same, I always bring a change of clothes and a blanket in my truck and always wear my ice spikes thru each sleeve just as an added measure.

There have been quite a few tragedies this season where people ventured out on unsafe ice without ever checking. eVEN IF I have a CONFIRMED report regarding a specific body of water, I'm going to drill a test hole to verify the thickness.

[RickBomba]

Hi Tim,
Thanks for the advice. I am sure that with the temps in high central-western mass that we will be in good shape by the weekend (otherwise I would have called this off two weeks ago). This is a spot we have fished regularly for many years, and I myself keep date, temp, and thickness logs. I try not to talk about swimming in the winter, but prepare for it quite seriously, if you know what I mean.
Maybe join us next year?
Later,
Rick

[FishermanTim]

Believe me, if I didn't have to head up north this weekend, I'd be there.
Oddly enough, I'm helping my brother build a bobhouse for us to use during those chilly days on Lake Winnipesaukee.
I'm getting to a point where roughing it is starting to take its toll.

I hope you all have a blast, and hopefully you'll get some greenhorns hooked on the ice as well as you have on saltwater fishing.
(I already have gotten my brother "hooked" and have a hand full of junior aglers (nieces /nephews) that are showing interest as well.)

Heck, maybe someone will get a "pin" qualifying fish?

[RickBomba]

Bobhouse.....must resist urge! Good luck this weekend!
Rick

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by RickBomba

Very Nice Kevin,
As you know, no one loves the sausage more than my brother!

Sausage has been confirmed......my wife is picking it up today for us.