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 John Sheehan on November 30, 2013 at 9:28am: I am hoping that comes to pass Bruce !

Comment by dick tabbert on November 27, 2013 at 4:20pm: Hey Bruce wouldn't that be great to be able to break out the Ice gear after 3 years what a thought. All conditions are finally leading towards ice for a change.

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on November 27, 2013 at 4:10pm: Good for you. It's been unseasonably cold here in Central, PA. If this keeps up we made be fishing hard ice before Christmas this year.

Comment by John Sheehan on November 27, 2013 at 3:06pm: I have Greenwood Lake in mind ,a border lake to NJ and NY. The New York end has all that a Smallie needs ;depth, boulders ,perch to eat .Thanks for the ideas Dick! Most of my open water Smallies ,through the years, came from the north end of that lake . I know there's a mid lake hump somewhere in the North end of the lake where I've caught Perch before but it might be along walk on the ice to get to a smallie spot .

Comment by dick tabbert on November 27, 2013 at 2:53pm: John catching a smallmouth bass through the ice is a great deal. But in doing so you'll find the fight isn't the same as a warm weather fight but it's all good and get your blood pumping and is still nothing like it. Don't know if you're Lake has rocks or boulders on it, that would be a great starting point of course in deeper water 10 to 30 feet. Wish you all the luck in the world. Good Fishin........

Comment by John Sheehan on November 27, 2013 at 2:51pm: Got find me a mid lake hump at a smallie lake and fish the deep side! Jigging raps and Perch pattern Lindy Darters!

Comment by John Sheehan on September 7, 2013 at 8:20am: I know what you mean ! I having been switching from shorts to long pants lately .We have three Tons of wood pellets for heat and we are set .Hope to be ice fishing before or around Christmas .

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on September 6, 2013 at 7:33pm: Well, John, if the early cold temps we're having is any indication, I'd say it's going to be at least an early winter. Yes, 250 miles is a bit long for a day trip, HA!

Comment by John Sheehan on September 6, 2013 at 6:41am: Hey Bruce -I see Portage PA is a little South from Ringwood NJ and quite a bit to the west ,250 miles or so. Hope we both have a lot of ice opportunities this year! I am keeping my eye out for Wholly worms like in the video I posted and will check out their bands to see if they indicate winter weather somewhat.

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on September 5, 2013 at 3:39pm: Hey John. I've seen early acorns, too. I'm hoping for some early ice, but I don't want to jinx it. I'm hoping.