KEEPING ICE OUT

[BIG TIMBER]

I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT SIZE TROLLING MOTOR OR HOW FAST IT NEEDS TO TURN THE WATER, ETC. THE SIZE OF THE HOLE IS PROABLY 40 YARDS WIDE AND 50 YARDS LONG, AND ABOUT 2 FT DEEP. IT'S IN THE TIMBER AND THEY HAVE BEEN COMING IN PRETTY CONSISTANT. FOR THE PAST WEEK AND I DON'T NEED IT TO FREEZE. JUST A LITTLE ADVICE?

[Black Lab 48]

You'll need something bigger than a trolling motor. That might work in 25-30 degree temps but not 15

[RedEyed Duck]

B T check your PM's.

[BR549]

Put you up a small outboard (6-10 hp) and lock throttle just above idle while pointing towards the middle of area you want to keep open. Will keep hole about 150 yards in dia. open in single digits. I use a 9.8 merc it burns about a quart and a half per hour.

[Anatidae]

'BR'......I'm gonna call $#!+ on that one, Buddy ......everybody knows Mercs don't even RUN when it's below 32 degrees much-less, idle.

I know....I've GOT one! .....and if it does run under those temp conditions, you have to tach-it-out, to keep it going.

Ya have to add this stuff to your gas that removes the water that forms in yo gas tank from condensation......and fill the tank slap fulla gas to get'em to even FIRE when it's below 20.

.......but that's a good tip on how to keep yo hole open ....bet it works real well.

[Greenhead22]

hey anat................lol

Well, if the ducks are coming in the hole, then they'll keep the hole from freezing and save you the trouble. I've heard a trolling motor, outboard motor, or even the mallard machine will work. Saturday morning I had to break almost 2" of thick ice in water almost up to the crotch, and if wasn't fun at all. If the wind had kept blowing the whole night then I'll would've limited out easy with all the birds looking for open water, I just couldn't keep a big enough hole open for them.

Easiest way to do it is using a hammer to break the ice into large sections, then slide them under the other ice..........and yes it does work, I just forgot the hammer last saturday morning and had to use my elbows and knees.

[Dutch Dog]

decoy bags full of decoys will break ice for you. just press it down into the ice and let the bag bob back up. do this while walking forward not only does it break the ice for you, it helps you maintain balance. It may not work that well in thick ice like the 2" you talked about, but in thinner ice up to 1" thick it works very well.

[bwm]

One word . . . . DYNOMITE . . . . Stand back while your hole is cleared almost effortlessly.





Just kidding of course.

[Greenhead22]

bwm, you've got it, one charge, that's all, cost you about $15. Just make sure you don't have any dekes out, flying pastic debri could be harmful.

[torch]

If u have a generator I have two floating areators (sp) that run on 110 and does on hell of a job.

[MemphisStockBroker]

i hear scotch melts ice pretty quickly... but i wouldn't know for sure

[SoftCall]

so does old charter!

[damnyankee]

9390 and a stubble roller

[dudlbugr]

I agree on the dynamite, but to do it correctly, you need to break a small hole in the ice, and slide it under. That way, more fish don't survive, and if you don't get any ducks, at least you won't go hungry!

[Anatidae]

Damnyankee......I like your way of thinking......nothing in moderation, Hehehe.