BY BOB AND GINNY RIEGE

With Christmas just around the corner and the passing of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and the conclusion of the St. Paul Ice Show this past week, we know that there are a lot of cool gift ideas for ice fishing.

Most of you probably were introduced to ice fishing with some pretty basic winter equipment. The first time you ventured on to the ice did you had five buckle overshoes, a plastic bucket, a too large snowmobile suit, and a hand auger? Basic is great, but the winters are just as cold and now you might be a little older and you will need some new technology to help you enjoy ice fishing.

IceArmor is the leader in cold-weather outerwear and undergear. The easily recognizable blue, grey and red suits have become a fashion statement for ice anglers who want the best in comfort while exploring their favorite fishing spots. ($250 to $350)

Not only does IceArmor have your upper and lower body covered, they keep your hands warm and dry too. IceArmor is still offering their popular gloves, mittens, and the fleece toque. The ladies will appreciate the addition of the gloves and mittens in sizes designed just for their hands. ($15 to $40) For those who want to be ready for action the fleece lined IceArmor Hand Muff will keep those bare hands warm all day on the ice. ($20)

The head is where the most heat loss occurs, but Clam Ice Fishing has you covered with their IceArmor Bomber Hat. The Bomber Hat is waterproof and windproof with Sherpa ear flaps and a sun visor for on-ice protection. ($20)

IceArmor boots have achieved instant popularity, because they are lightweight and have 1,000 grams of Thinsulate and a removable liner. ($130 to $150) Team this up with IceArmor socks that are 85 percent Merino wool ($17) and you will be throwing away those five buckle overshoes. Contact www.icearmor.com

When you want mobility with the ability to house three to four anglers in one unit then consider the Clam Summit Thermal Pop-up Portable. This unit provides 48 square feet of fishing space and with a full thermal IceArmor top you have a shelter that will retain more heat than any other portable Pop-up shelter. The thermal top also reduces condensation and with the draft-sealed windows you can keep the inclement weather on the outside and the fishing fun on the inside. ($349) To stay warm in that portable blind you will need a portable heater from Mr. Heater. The buddy heater is idea and will keep two or more people warm when the outside temps hover around -40. Contact www.mrheater.com.

With mobility you will also want to look at the Lazer Mag Ice Auger from Strikemaster. This 42cc 2.5 horsepower Solo motor with stainless steel Lazer Blades is an excellent cutting machine. ($425) www.strikemaster.com. You no longer have to take a youngster fishing to use the old hand auger, you now can do it yourself.

If you are interested in getting a few stocking stuffers for everyone in the family may we suggest the Dave Genz Series of Ice Fishing Combos. They are still the best selling rod combos on the market and for the anglers that love those True Blue and Power Stick Reels they are now available individually, separate from the rod. ($25 to $40) Anglers just entering the ice fishing world should consider the Ice Fishing Combo Pack. It’s everything an ice angler needs to get started. The Dave Genz Ice Buster Rod and Reel Combo comes pre-spooled with four-pound test line. ($35) The Ice Armor Jig Box has enough slots to hold up to 250 jigs or lures with six jigs a clip-on depth finder and hook removal pliers included. Another Ice Fishing Starter Kit that’s part of the Clam Ice Fishing line comes with a spin-cast reel on a lightweight rod and three jigs. It’s everything a young or inexperienced ice angler needs to get started. www.clamcorp.com.

If you are want to get a special rod for the ice or for that person that is significant in your life, why not get a custom made rod from Kris Kristufek. Kris builds award winning functional custom fishing rods, “as individual as you are.” At LakeLady Custom Rods, he offers handcrafted fishing tools that are custom-fitted to your individual measurements. Using premium blanks and components, each rod is crafted with care, distinction and attention to detail, creating a unique fishing rod for the discriminating fisherperson. Check out LakeLady Rods at www.lakeladyrods.com. You can always get a gift certificate for a rod and your special someone can develop their own rod.

Now that you have all this technology and you are on the ice you might want to use portable fish finder sonar. Without a doubt the best sonar/flasher units on the market as from Vexilar. We use the cutting edge Vexilar FL-20 because it is reliable, dependable and has a larger screen and more visibility that any other three-color display. Besides, the old method of using the white house on the point and the smooth rock on the left to triangulate a fishing hotspot is very old school. Why? The white house is now brown or down. The smooth rock is covered with 12 inches of snow and now it looks round. Contact www.vexilar.com for your sonar/flasher. Hurry they are selling out as quickly as they are manufactured.

So this coming Christmas instead of getting another tie, or some socks why not get some cool Christmas gifts for the ice.