By Steve Weisman
How can an outdoor person get bored here in northwest Iowa? I mean right now we have hunting seasons going like crazy; the fall fishing is only getting better as the lake water temperatures fall! Oh, but that’s not all. Nope! Because the “pre-ice fishing craze” is just around the corner.
It always comes in November and into December across the Midwest…ice fishing shows such as the Dakota Angler Ice Institute in Sioux Falls ((Nov. 11-13) and the St. Paul Ice Show (Dec. 2-4). They are always fun to attend.
However, right here in northwest Iowa, we have three outstanding ice fishing open houses coming up: Saturday, November 5th at Stan’s Bait and Tackle; Saturday, November 12th at Kabele’s; Saturday, November 26 at Oak Hill Outdoors.
First up, Stan’s Bait and Tackle. Before we get into Stan’s Ice Kickoff, I’d like to offer a big welcome to Mason Wharton, the new owner of Stan’s! Wharton took over the business on July 15.
Wharton notes, “It was a busy summer, and I am really looking forward to the ice fishing season.” It’s a perfect fit, because as Wharton says, “I’ve always loved to fish. I’ve been fishing since I was old enough to hold a fishing pole.”
Those who frequent Stan’s know that although it is a small-town bait shop, it has a big store selection with basically everything you need for panfish, walleye and bass fishing, along with catfish and musky tackle.
Stan’s Ice Kickoff
Now, back to ice fishing…Wharton is excited that Stan’s can kick off the ice fishing season in the Iowa Great Lakes with its sixth annual Ice Kickoff and Fish Fry that will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. “We are just putting on the finishing touches for this year’s event. Our goal is to offer ice fishermen with the equipment they need, from those just getting started to the veteran fisherman. So, we will have product for the entry level fisherman and the fisherman that wants to most high end equipment.”
For the Ice Kickoff, Wharton plans to have extensive products from a wide range of manufacturers. “We do plan on having several pro staffers here to give fishermen information about the product lines they represent, including Clam pro staffers, a representative from P3 Plastics, Vexilar and a rod maker out of Spencer.”
Several specials will be offered: buy a Clam ice house and get a free hooded sweatshirt; buy an Ice Armor suit and get a free Kanga Cooler; Buy $50 of Clam product and get a free bucket.
One final special includes purchasing a 4-quart minnow bucket and getting 10 percent off anything that fits in the bucket with the lid closed.
A highly anticipated event at Stan’s Ice Kickoff is the annual fish fry hosted by the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club (IGLFC). Wharton says, “The IGLFC always puts on a great fish fry. The plan is for the fish fry to start about 11 a.m., and it will last until the fish is gone!”
So, if you need something to do on a Saturday in early November, check out the Stan’s Ice Kickoff and Fish Fry. Whether you are a regular or a newcomer, Wharton invites you to stop in on Saturday, November 5.
If you’re looking for electronics for the upcoming fishing season, Stan’s Bait and Tackle has a wide range of options. See them all at the Ice Kickoff on Saturday, November 5. Don’t forget the IGLFC fishy fry!
Kabele’s – Shop With the Pros
Next on the list is Shop With the Pros. For the past 10 years, Kabele’s Trading Post, which is located on the north end of Hill Avenue in Spirit Lake, has hosted its annual “Shop With the Pros” on the second Saturday of November. This year the event will take place on Saturday, November 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To celebrate their 10th annual event, owners Thane and Tanya Johnson are making this “the biggest and best” yet! For 2022, Shop With the Pros will be the Fish and Hunt Edition.
Tanya says, “We have always worked to have specials and discounts, but this year we are really sweetening the deals on coupons for both fishing and hunting equipment.” For instance, if a customer spends $200-500 on a single item, there will be $50 off. Spending $501-$1000 for a single item will mean a $100 off coupon, while any single item costing $1001 or more will mean $200 off.
Throughout the day, customers can sign up for thousands of dollars in prizes to be awarded beginning at 3:15 p.m. The special $1,000 Kabele’s Shopping Spree winner will be announced.! Tanya notes, “This is our way of saying thanks to all of our customers. We’ll have product demos, booth specials and huge deals. We’ll have some customers who come with a special purchase in mind. Others will come and look around, leave for a while, and then come back later. It’s always exciting when we draw for the Kabele’s Shopping Spree.”
A major attraction for “Shop With the Pros” is the lineup of pro staffers in attendance. “One of the things Thane and I like to do is bring in husband and wife teams. This year we will have the team of Shantel and Jared Wittstruck with us. Shantel will be representing Vexilar, while Jared will be representing Clam Outdoors. We will also have Lindsey and A. J. Young, pro staffers for 13 Fishing.”
Other pro staffers will include Troy Peterson representing Marcum and Dave Koonce with In-depth Outdoors representing StrikeMaster. In addition, local guide John Grosvenor will be on hand representing Otter, while local guide Darrin Jones will be representing VMC Rapala and StrikeMaster. Several other product representatives will also be on hand.
A major draw each year is the portable ice fishing shacks assembled by Thane and his team of employees. This year in excess of 100 portables have been assembled and are ready for their new home!
Lunch will be served on site by Taco Torres from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. “We will have a heated tent outside for customers to relax and enjoy their meal or to just sit and visit,” says Tanya.
So, mark Saturday, November 12 on your calendar for the 10th annual “Shop With the Pros” day at Kabele’s Trading Post – everything fishing and hunting under one roof!
(cutline) Lots of fishing and hunting equipment and special deals at Kabele’s Shop With the Pros on Saturday, November 12. Don’t forget the $1,000 Kabele’s Shopping Spree!
The Hook Up (Oak Hill Outdoor)
If you need a little exercise, are looking for some great ice fishing deals and fishing talk after the big Thanksgiving get together, this should be right up your alley. The Hook Up is excited to offer its third annual 2021 Iowa Ice Show from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 26 (located across the road to the north of Perkins at the north end of Milford).
According to Ryan Hale, Tackle Manager at the Hook Up, “This is right before early ice, so it will be a great opportunity to check out the latest ice fishing products from all of the top manufacturers in the ice fishing world!”
“We will have a number of reps on hand to answer questions and provide demos on their products.” The venue will allow for manufacturer representatives to spread out and give plenty of room to display the latest in ice fishing products.
Pro staffers include Darrin Jones with Ice Force and Rapala VMC; Chad Loreth with JT Rods; Eric Tutt with RBM and Lake Effect; Tobin Janssen with Cold Snap; Scott Sturman with Clam Outdoors; Keith McCormick with Otter; Ryan Gubrud with Freedom Baits; Scott Reed with 13 Fishing.
This will be the perfect time for customers to visit with Hook-Up staff, area guides and ice fishing experts!
Hale also adds, “We will have special in-store specials just for the day of the Iowa Ice Show.” This will be the perfect time to walk off a little of that Thanksgiving Turkey and find some great deals on ice fishing equipment!
Just a sample of ice fishing equipment at the Hook Up’s Iowa Ice Show on Saturday, November 26. Lots of equipment and lots of room!
