Slip’s 2016 LOGS, STATUS AND STRATEGIES

[Slip Sinker]

The past few seasons it’s been season outdoing the last. Knowledge base on top of knowledge base. Building on some great info from this site and time on the water. I’m anticipating and looking forward to even better results with more citation fish. Anyway that’s the game plan.

Last year was the season of fishing TINY. Thin UL Lines loaded on tiny 50 series reels and light UL rods tossing tiny baits in front of fish targets…quantities of quality panfish and trophy SMB. Tossed the baits into thick cover with reckless abandon. Tiny presentations under slip bobbers thrown next to thick weed slop and weed pockets. Mid day fishing out of the kayak in less than two feet of water and tagging quality fish. Never really had another fishing boat come close to me fishing. it was like i had the lake to myself. looking forward to making some more good memories in the upcoming season.

Looking forward to any hints suggestions or comments from the BBG membership… sharing is the best way to learn and progress!

hope everyone a successful "2016 Open Water Season"

[Slip Sinker]

Thanks Craig… ice fishing and open water fishing so different sports. Ice fishing… trudging the snow and ice, drilling the holes and more holes… then walking and walking some more. The odds are stacked against you from the start in covering the water and catching fish…. a few of us keep coming back for more. I find it truly addictive. But I truly look forward to the open water season also.

Congrats on the new gear… hope it gets broken in well 

[Slip Sinker]

20160223-Today I was greeted with an extraordinary sight…

my trophy spot was completely open water… an incredible sight for ¾ February! I hope to make it down there tomorrow with some drop shot rigs to probe some deep holes that have been unreachable all ice season because of dangerous ice.

[Gary Boysen]

That picture gives me hope and makes me smile, Slip!! I'm looking for the same thing up here. I was out this past Sunday doing reconnaissance for new fishing holes and saw nothing but ice cover. Soon...  

[Slip Sinker]

Looking at the short and long term forecast… its not looking so good for ice fishing and an early open water season. Snow storm for us tonight up to 12” of snow and a long colder than normal till the middle of March. The above freezing days and the below freezing nights will leave questionable ice throughout the rest of the season.

The strong El Nino and its effects on our region they predicted isn’t really playing out. The current long range forecast leaves me high and dry until probably April with worse case scenario no ice or open water fishing. I hate transition periods.

How thick did the ice get in your region? 

[Gary Boysen]

Not being an ice fisherman, I can't say. I know it has been tough on the guys that want to get out there. John Sheehan could say better what the conditions have been. All I know is any ice is enough to kill fishing opportunities for me. We are getting heavy rains with daytime temps in the 40 to 50 degree range this week, so I'm hopeful the ice will be gone soon. I'd love to get a drop shot rig working this weekend. There are a couple of local ponds I have my eye on and hope to see open water by Saturday. It's supposed to be sunny and hit mid to high 50's this weekend.

[Slip Sinker]

Excellent!... sounds like the weather is turning the corner for you.

[Slip Sinker]

Open water along the shoreline kept me off the ice…

[Gary Boysen]

This is Lake Aeroflex, Andover, NJ on 2-21-16. About 25 miles West of my house. Still frozen solid on Sunday.

[Slip Sinker]

Looks like a nice lake Gary.... is that structure a public fishing pier?

[John Sheehan]

http://www.lakelubbers.com/lake-aeroflex-2309/ Looks great Gary, a public lake, Aeroflex shows up on the Navionics map as New Waywayanda Lake .   . Deepest Natural lake in NJ according to this article but I Think Waywayanda is a deeper natural glacier lake .  Landlocked Salmon ! Like Waywayanda and Shepherds . Disappointed that Smallmouths weren't mentioned as being in the lake  though. Wonder how the Gills, Crappie ,Perch and Largemouth fishing is . Holdover Trout too ,though the fish kill at the Hatchery of two years ago has been a huge negative impact .

[Slip Sinker]

nice little paddling lake too..

[carl hendrix]

Im not a ice fisherman ; have a lot of respect for those who are; Slip stinker; John Shehan; Greg; Tony; Bruce; many ; many others.  I cant suggest anything  for you guys; but do enjoy hearing of some of these trips-- in the comfort of a good warm house !! LOL