Answer is… right now.
While the ice season is still fresh in your minds, now is the perfect time to start gettting your gear for the next season. It can be odds and ends, or essential (big purchase) items. Start out with a list of things that you need to replace, or items that you think would enhance your ability to catch fish next season.
Most years this would be the perfect time to hit the stores and find some really good sales. Unfortunately with the late coming of the ice this year, most places had their ice gear on sale early. When the ice did hit, lots of inventories were cleared out. Call ahead before making any special trips, and ask what items they might still have in stock. You just might find that power auger at a price you can afford.
If you have been fishing off of a bucket or out of a sled, this would be an excellent time to look into a shelter on clearance. Electronics normally dont go on sale in this area, but places like Reed’s in Minnesota tend to put them on sale where you can purchase them on the internet. Most of the time its the nic nacs and certain lures that are the real bargains, that and some of the higher end rods. Thorne Brothers in Minnesota (and others) have internet sales going on right now on their jigs and equipment. Last year I picked up some St. Croix 32″ rods that quickly became my favorite walleye rods this season.
Some of the things I look for are the rod holders for either your buckets, or free standing ones that lay on the ice. I took my rotary tool and cut slots into my sled base on my Fish Trap Pro and placed the HT bucket holders into the slots to make rod holders.
Another good item that I got at 50% off were a couple of Otter rattle reels that I ended up using in my Clam 5600.
Other items to look for are the safety straps for your auger covers, extra blades are always nice to have on hand for quick replacement and replace some of your favorite jigs that you might have lost during the season. Strikemaster smokeless oil is another annual item on the list for my power augers, along with scoops for taking slush out of your drilled holes.
Other items might not be found at the bargain prices, but still will help you catch fish next year, and its a good idea to get them while you are still thinking about it. Spoons, swim baits and jigs are always fish catchers. Some companies are discontinueing your go-to baits, while others are already putting out some new and improved color schemes. There are always the little bonus items that you didnt think of it, but the light goes off when you see it on the shelf.
Don’t forget about www.ebay.com . Start with searches of items on your list. If you are looking for a particular reel, put the company’s name in and see how many items you find. Another way, is to simply type in “ice fishing” and you can surf through the pages of items.
Good Luck.