Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

East coast Ice fisherman

Information

East coast Ice fisherman

A place to share tecniques ,past successes /failures and future prospects for fishing Gills and other fish through the ice.

Location: Ringwood New Jersey
Members: 21
Latest Activity: Feb 12

Finally...On the Ice!

We'll, the Carp Whisperer Bob and I got out for a little ice fishing today at a local pond that had 4 inches of good clear ice, We rigged up for bluegills with jigging rods and 1/10 oz Kastmaster spoons meal worms as a tipping bait. We didn't get a single bluegill, but we got some of these...

Ended up with 4 bass for myself in about 2 hours of jigging. Bob had two good strikes, including a bigger fish that ran his drag some. Bass went fro 14 to 17 inches. I lost about a 20 inch bass right at the hole...the fish just hovered slowly in the water just below the ice...giving me a great view of what I was losing! Would have been my largest ice bass had I got a hand on her. I got all my fish on 2 pound mono. Fish were 5-6 feet deep.

At least I got to feel a few fish today and get a slight 'fix' for my ice fishing habit! We have done good on gills here, but not today.

High today was 30 F with light winds. Might go tomorrow, but they are calling for sleet and freezing rain...sheeeesh!

The window for ice fishing here is very narrow...maybe only a few days this year. Calling for 65 on Wednesday! Crazy!

Carp guru Bob had to put me in my place..'.a 4 or 5 pound fish isn't a big fish to me" but I think he still had a good time. Glad to be out and glad to catch a couple fish!

Discussion Forum

Top Ten Ice Fishing Lures 4 Replies

TOP TEN ICE FISHING LURESNot sure I've ever caught a Fish through the ice on a lure un-tipped.1/4 oz. and 1/3  oz.Swedish Pimple,Nickle or Gold /Green Prism Tape/Shiner Head-Pickerel, Crappie Red…Continue

Started by John Sheehan. Last reply by John Sheehan Jan 10, 2024.

Plastics for Ice Fishing 3 Replies

I hope to get some safe Ice this Year 2024. Last Year I did no Ice Fishing at all. If I get the chance this Year, I'd like to get into using a variety of Plastics for Panfish and Predators. Any…Continue

Started by John Sheehan. Last reply by John Sheehan Jan 9, 2024.

Tipping with Perch eyes 2 Replies

Continue

Started by John Sheehan. Last reply by John Sheehan Jan 22, 2022.

Ice Fishing Chronicles 2009-? 7 Replies

     In NJ we are allowed 5 rigs .I generally set 3 tip ups ,Jig a rod and have a dead stick rod hanging off a bucket. I switch on and off with the jigging rods .I have two set up for Gills and pan…Continue

Started by John Sheehan. Last reply by John Sheehan Feb 13, 2018.

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of East coast Ice fisherman to add comments!

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on December 28, 2024 at 10:55am

We don't have good ice anywhere in PA yet, do we?

Comment by John Sheehan on December 26, 2024 at 2:21pm

Is that so Dick! I am hoping it'll get to 4" here. It's close to 3" in other areas nearby if reports are accurate. Might be a short window possible.

Comment by dick tabbert on December 26, 2024 at 11:14am

We started out looking like ice then we hit a warm spell all is gone.

Comment by John Sheehan on December 24, 2024 at 11:57am

Who'll be the first one on the Ice this Year? Hope to see a good report! Merry Christmas friends!

Comment by John Sheehan on March 7, 2024 at 12:10pm

Another sad ice Fishing year after no ice last Year . Ice out now and Greg and I only got out once in 2023/2024.Only one Pickerel was caught. Swedish Pimple saved the skunk. 

Comment by John Sheehan on December 28, 2023 at 4:33pm

Sister-in -Law gave me these ice spoons and Tungsten Jigs I hope to use if New Jersey gets safe ice in 2024. 

Comment by John Sheehan on December 25, 2023 at 5:15pm
Comment by Slip Sinker on December 3, 2023 at 10:49pm

above normal temps coming in for us

Comment by John Sheehan on December 3, 2023 at 3:12pm

Starting to get the itch!

Comment by John Sheehan on November 25, 2022 at 4:55pm

No Bruce , thinking way ahead to January. Earliest I've ever ice fished is Christmas Eve.

 

Members (21)

 
 
 

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
21 minutes ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
1 hour ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

My Biggest Bass Today Was Three Pound Class…..5/29/2025

Plenty bass this morning…….I caught nine guarding Frye…
1 hour ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
1 hour ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
1 hour ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"We have been entrenched in a stalled frontal boundary all week….finally got a window this morning…mixed six species for a nice bounty.."
1 hour ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

1000004031

"Nice mix ……great tablefare Troy"
1 hour ago
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

1000004031

"Nice batch of fish!"
4 hours ago
Troy Dorman posted a photo
14 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie 2

"Thats great, Bruce! 1Big strong Freshwater Smallies, good going! Didn't get on them today.…"
yesterday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie 2

"I've landed 2 over 20" in the past several years. One just made 20" and the other a…"
Tuesday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie 2

"Thanks Bruce, we got them 12-15".Going here again today to fish deeper and explore the…"
Tuesday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie 2

"Great smallmouth."
Monday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's album
Thumbnail

Watershed Fishing 2025

"Thanks Dick, hoping for bigger Smallmouths after we get used to this 425 acre body of water, with a…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Love This Netted Coppernose……Best of 2025

"Thanks Dick…..my favorite picture of 2025…..loved the markings"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

More From Great Fishing on 5/18 & 5/19…….

"We are very fortunate to have an abundant supply of fliers Dick…..I’ve made a lot of…"
Saturday
dick tabbert commented on John Sheehan's album
Thumbnail

Watershed Fishing 2025

"Lookin good John,."
Saturday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

More From Great Fishing on 5/18 & 5/19…….

"That guys on my bucket list."
Saturday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Love This Netted Coppernose……Best of 2025

"Nice coppers as always Jeff."
Saturday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service