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 dick tabbert on January 26, 2013 at 8:40pm: Glad you made it out John maybe the 2nd time will be a charm.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 26, 2013 at 8:28pm: me too Tony. Ice was maybe 4 inchesthick

Comment by Tony Livingston on January 26, 2013 at 7:31pm: Glad to hear you got out John. I hope the ice sticks around and gives you another shot at those perch!

Comment by John Sheehan on January 26, 2013 at 7:05pm: Got out on the ice for the 1st time 2013 from 2-4pm .There were 6 guys 4 of which were fishing where I usually catch .Set up at a secondary spot and didn't do well .I only cut 5 holes and deadsticked and jigged using 4 rods .The Genz worm /Marmooska tandem rig got some bait stealing attention and one dink Yellow Perch ,and another deadstick rod caught a small Female Gill.Put a Perch eye on a Swedish Pimple got one bang but the fish were not aggressive .The sideways Jiggle triggered some hits and the nod and lift did also.Cold wind from the NE, blowing powdered snow into the holes combined with light bites was not a good combination .Several times I saw hits but the jigs/baits were dropped .

Comment by John Sheehan on January 1, 2013 at 9:10am: I just heard guys are fishing Barry Lakes in Vernon .I may be on the ice sooner than I thought.Getting my 2013 license tomorrow. I might go this weekend .Not sure yet.

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on January 1, 2013 at 7:05am: Man, I gotta' have at least 4 inches of ice. I have a buddy that will go on less, but I don't.

Comment by dick tabbert on December 31, 2012 at 1:29pm: Good man John better safe than sorry, thicker is better.

Comment by John Sheehan on December 31, 2012 at 12:03pm: Two guys were on the ice today at the Monksville Reservoir .I think they are crazy and will wait a while .