Find "Hard Water" Fish Fast with Humminbird HELIX ICE

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Find "Hard Water" Fish Fast with Humminbird HELIX ICE

RACINE, Wisc. – As open water slowly turns into hard water season, many anglers in the Northern part of the country are putting their boats into storage and packing the long rods away for the winter. With that comes a new spark of excitement - ice season. Anglers will soon flock to fishable ice to continue their pursuit of the next bite - removing their Humminbird HELIX units from their boat and settling into an ice shuttle for the winter.

Humminbird HELIX ICE bundles are designed for efficiency, featuring a premium shuttle for organizing the head unit and transducer, along with a standard 15Ah lithium battery for extended use. Built-in GPS, a high-definition LCD display, and Lakemaster mapping help anglers navigate and locate prime fishing spots. Dual Spectrum CHIRP Sonar provides 3/4" target separation for clear fish detection, while the adjustable sonar zoom enhances viewing of specific depth ranges, whether fish are suspended or near the bottom.

The versatility of Humminbird ICE HELIX bundles allow anglers to utilize the fish finders year round and have all the great features at their fingertips in one unit. Staying mobile on the ice poses unique challenges compared to fishing from a boat, making efficiency essential for success. Humminbird Pro and Central Minnesota guide Brad Hawthorne knows this well, staying mobile to locate active fish to keep his clients on the bite. By leveraging LakeMaster's detailed one-foot contours, he identifies prime fish-holding locations and anticipates their seasonal movements, ensuring productive and strategic fishing trips.

"Guiding on the ice brings new challenges every day, with no two days ever the same. The one constant is my equipment—I never leave without my HELIX units and LakeMaster VX mapping,” said Hawthorne. “The shaded relief on the VX mapping chip adds a 3D effect, making contour lines pop and highlighting fish-holding spots. This allows me to zero in on specific areas and position my clients for the best chance of success.”

Fishing technology has made significant strides over the past decade, transforming how anglers approach both open water and ice fishing. Humminbird’s MEGA Live Imaging and MEGA 360 bundles are now essential for locating fish and structures with precision. Hawthorne utilizes both for a full 360-degree view of the underwater landscape, enabling him to identify key transition areas like sand-to-rock or sand-to-mud lines and put his clients on the fish in real time.

“I start every day where we had success the day before. The first thing I do is put my MEGA 360 in the water and use the 360 view to see what’s around me—similar to side imaging in the summer. I identify schools of fish and position my clients with an ICE HELIX 7,” explained Hawthorne. “Paired with a LakeMaster VX map, the HELIX bundle helps them fish effectively, ask questions, and learn why fish are concentrated in specific spots.”

In addition to MEGA 360, Humminbird MEGA Live Imaging has revolutionized ice fishing even further, making it easier than ever to locate schools of fish. Northern Minnesota guide Brian Brosdahl, who has used MEGA Live since its debut, relies on real-time feedback to see how fish react to different baits and refine his techniques, helping his clients make the necessary adjustments to keep catching fish.

Brosdahl uses forward mode while scouting for both predator and baitfish, then switches to down mode when he begins fishing. The portable bundle and pole allow him to move easily, staying on top of aggressive fish and adapting to their responses for continued success.

"I use my MEGA Live every time I'm on the ice; whether I'm targeting walleyes or panfish, it lets me quickly see if there are fish nearby in real time," said Brosdahl. "I typically set up my clients in a portable fish house, drilling holes in a line so they can all see their bait or lure on the same screen. It's essential to read a fish’s behavior and adjust the presentation to get them to bite."

For new ice anglers considering their first electronics, Humminbird is offering special promotions for the holiday season. Now through December 31, 2024, purchase a qualifying ICE HELIX 5 & 7, or Ice Flasher model online or in-store, and receive up to $100 back in a prepaid Mastercard®. Visit humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/promotions for details.