Do you love big bluegill?

East coast Ice fisherman

Information

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: Mar 7

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.

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.

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 December 4, 2012 at 12:14pm

Comment by John Sheehan on November 24, 2012 at 4:49pm

Comment by John Sheehan on October 21, 2012 at 8:32am: Yes Dick last year was a great dissapointment .I have hopes for this year being a good productive one. I enjoy jigging and deadsticking for all species and I'm in the process of retiring my old less effective tip ups or Traps as some New Englanders refer to them as .I plan on just using better quality Tipu ups that have smoother spools on them. I feel I've lost too many light biters in the past on poorly maintained old equipment.

Comment by dick tabbert on October 20, 2012 at 9:40am: When I dig my equipment out I'll have a few pictures. There is so much high tech equipment these days. I purchase all I have while working knowing when I retired lots of the toys would be out of my reach. I'm hoping we have the ice to support my big frame this year last year there was no way I was venturing out on the ice..

Comment by John Sheehan on October 20, 2012 at 8:45am: Ice Lures :

Comment by John Sheehan on October 20, 2012 at 8:17am: I hear ya Dick .Last year was non existent .Thanks for joining!If ya feel like posting gear and lure pics I'd be happy to see what you use!

Comment by dick tabbert on October 17, 2012 at 10:54am: It's nice to be aboard just hope the ice cooperates for us this year.

Comment by John Sheehan on October 17, 2012 at 6:45am: You bet Sleepy ,I hope to have a real fruitful and safe ice fishing season this year .Last season was a washout!