So Where Do I Start?

[troutrageous1]

New to this board, have been reading the various posts from last winter on ice fishing. Have never done it before, want to give it a shot this winter. Living in Limerick, none of the places noted are exactly in my backyard, but not too far away either. Looking for any suggestions on two things:

1. Would any of these spots be more appropriate for a newbie? i.e. more accessible, easier parking, etc...?

2. What would you recommend as a "starter's kit" to get up and going - I know I'll need an ice rod (have plenty of UL & Light reels) and probably some hair jigs, but other than that, any suggestions?

[takem]

I like swedish pimples and those little crappie darts that look like a fish head with a rattle. Gordons has a whole ice fishing section and plenty of icefishing bait. Marsh creek is very accessible but it takes a lot of cold weather to ice up. It's a good icefishing lake. Usually freezes between the bridge and chalfant road first ( I think thats the road name). Struble ices up real quick. I don't do as well there but I know some guys do. Scotts run if cool because of the trout but it's always very windy so you gotta really check the ice thickness. If scotts run is no good you can drive a mile down the road and fish hopewell. It's got some big pickeral. Hope this helps.

[takem]

oh yeah, you gotta get a ice scooper the keep your hole open (Metal ones are nice so you can break open holes that freeze) and one of those ice sleds is nice to drag your gear out. An auger helps too.

[troutrageous1]

This is all great info. Thanks for the feedback...and I'd welcome any more as well!