Kody Seibert: Top Young Gun of the Ice Fishing World

By Matt Johnson

The modern age of ice fishing certainly has a young side. As we’ve jumped into the era of split-screen zoom Vexilars, lighter and more efficient augers, and waterproof Ice Armor suits, we’ve also seen more young ice anglers attracted by the high-octane side of our sport. Video games have a way of trapping many children (and young adults) but ice fishing is certainly doing its part to draw in the masses. And it isn’t just numbers of young ice anglers; their skill level is impressive, too.

You’d have to search hard to find a young ice angler more experienced and talented than Kody Seibert. Kody’s first trip onto the ice was at the age of 8, and he hasn’t stopped fishing like a maniac ever since. He stared at his first Vexilar screen and realized that this was the best video game he’d ever seen.

Kody was and is fired up about ice fishing, and he literally cut his ice fishing teeth fishing Trap Attacks with his father, Scott Seibert. The duo won a Trap Attack on Lake Okoboji, a super-clear lake where fine points of presentation carry the day, and Kody points to that moment as a turning point in what has almost become an addiction to hardwater fishing.

These days, you can find Kody (often shoulder to shoulder with his dad) appearing at in-store promotions, and making guest appearances on fishing shows and being photographed and interviewed for magazine articles.

At the ripe old age of 20, Kody has already been there and done that when it comes to ice fishing.

Talking fishing with Kody is never dull. Always full of energy and excitement, he is still a kid at heart, and yet his fishing skills and personal storehouse of information is veteran level. Picking his brain resulted in this Q&A story, something we hope you enjoy.

Q: What drew you to ice fishing?

Kody: My dad and the overall fun of the sport. Sight fishing was exciting. Watching the bobber go down, it’s one of the little things that still drives excitement in the oldest of ice anglers. Panfish are my favorite, which is the type of fish that get most youth involved in fishing. They are easy to catch but still provide a challenge and keep you thinking. My dad put me on some pretty good panfish bites when I was young so I had the opportunity to actually catch fish and not just stare at a bobber. My excitement and ambition only grew from there.

Q: Why fishing instead of video games?

Kody: Ice fishing is a real life video game. With all of the modern tools we have it makes ice fishing more enjoyable. Watching a Vexilar is like playing an on-ice video game. Being outdoors and enjoying new friends that last a lifetime can be found out on the ice but not always on the couch. Some of my best friends are my fishing buddies. It also keeps me active and not always sitting in one spot. Meeting new people is easy while out on the ice because we all share the same passion and have something in common. The rewards of ice fishing far out-weigh the rewards of video games. You actually get to catch a fish and learn life skills. You also can’t eat anything you catch on a video game and we all know I like to eat!

Q: What drives you to continue your pursuit of ice fishing?

Kody: The thrill of always trying new lakes and not staying on the “old standbys” is very rewarding. I don’t have a home lake or drive out to a permanent fish house every day or night, but rather I’m constantly chasing down fish on a variety of lakes. There is always another lake to fish and a new adventure to be made. Punching two holes and sitting in one spot is not my idea of a day on the ice. The “old timers” would oftentimes sit in one spot hoping that the fish come to them. If no fish show up then the fish are not biting that day, but in my mind the fish are always biting you just have to find them. Mobility and having the ability to move is what makes a successful day of ice fishing. This is one of the ideas of modern ice fishing that the youth are starting to really understand. We are seeing more and more successful young anglers because of it and I’ve taken on this idea as my style of ice fishing. The constant challenge and endless opportunities the sport brings is why I choose to ice fish!

Q: What is your advice to other young ice anglers and what ways can kids get started?

Kody: Some schools offer outdoor activities so I would start there. Better yet, if you have the opportunity to attend a kid’s ice fishing clinic then I would highly recommend it. The initial experience is oftentimes the hardest leap, but once you try it you’ll find out that it might be something you enjoy. And don’t give up after the first try if things don’t work out, try it again. Once you experience a successful day on the ice I can assure you that you’ll be hooked! And if all else fails try begging your big brother, dad, uncle or grandpa to take you out on the ice!

Q: What would be your perfect day on the ice?

Kody: Bringing someone new who gets to experience ice fishing for the first time and having them catch fish after fish. I truly enjoy watching others catch fish. It puts a smile on my face to see someone else that’s fishing with me having fun. I have no problem watching my buddies catch more fish than me. However, if my dad and I are fishing then it’s a different story and I have to catch more than him! Having fun with friends and family on the ice is important to me. Catching big fish is definitely fun, but I don’t need to always catch fish to have a good time. However, if we are talking about fish, then giant bluegills get me twirled up! One trophy fish makes a day of ice fishing for me!

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years in terms of ice fishing?

Kody: I would like to be traveling and experiencing the various stops across the ice belt, both fishing and promoting this great sport. I would like to put more emphasis on organizing kids clinics in my area to help introduce more youth into the sport. My goal would be to someday make a living at ice fishing all year long.

Q: Your final thought…

Kody: The more people you meet the more you learn. Everyone has their own style of ice fishing and the more people you share conversations with the more ammunition you have when heading out on the ice! Keep an open mind and be willing to learn. Don’t expect anything other than having a great time. Catching fish should be a bonus and with time you’ll see that catching fish gets easier and easier. So get off the couch and set down the video games, there are memories to be made and fish to be caught!

As you can tell Kody enjoys his time on the ice. Young ice anglers are fast becoming the norm for what we’re seeing out on the ice. No longer do parents need to tie on jigs, re-bait hooks or take of their children’s fish; instead the kids are the ones doing those things for their parents!