Do you love big bluegill?

East coast Ice fisherman

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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.

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Comment Wall

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Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on January 19, 2016 at 3:58pm: Hi Dick,

Two guy went through the ice on High Point Lake in southern PA a day or two ago. The ice is so thin in some places guys are going out wearing life jackets. That's just really stupid. I don't want to ice fish that much.

Comment by dick tabbert on January 19, 2016 at 3:52pm: Amen on being sure ice is safe.

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on January 19, 2016 at 3:50pm: I think we should be on ice around here any day now. I've heard of a few guys have been on various lakes, but I want to be sure the ice is safe.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 19, 2016 at 8:19am: Ice tent on the Monksville . I am not trusting the ice however ,

Comment by John Sheehan on February 17, 2015 at 7:49am: I'd like to know what a mousy is to . The always pop when I hook them to .What's the proper hooking procedure ?

Comment by John Sheehan on February 17, 2015 at 7:48am: Welcome Scott! Bruce that is very sad about the guy who fell threw the ice and died .I wonder about the effect ,on ice , of high winds and lots of snow !

Great Perch ,ya got there .You earned them!

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on February 13, 2015 at 2:48pm: .Hi Scott. Welcome to the forum.

Comment by Scott R.Holmes on February 13, 2015 at 3:10am: Hi Guy's, New to posting. Bruce looks like a good day, I'm from New England so it sure brings back memories.

Comment by Slip Sinker on February 12, 2015 at 7:52pm: congrats on the great outing Bruce!

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on February 12, 2015 at 5:32pm: I was able to to take a day off of work yesterday to hit the ice. We fished a lake about 90 miles from my home. The temp was 16 degrees when we started and then hit 31 by the time we headed home. We kept 21 blue gills, crappie, perch, and one fat cat. I took half of them and just got done filleting. We fished jigs tipped with wax worms, mousses, and minnows. I have no idea what mouses are so I hope someone can enlighten me. They look like a small wax worm with a tail. Believe it or not I caught a soda can on a tip up in 28 feet of water. I couldn't believe it.