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 January 23, 2012 at 12:17pm

Comment by John Sheehan on January 23, 2012 at 12:08pm: Got skunked 1st time out on the ice .Fished Monskvile Reservoir (known as Skunksville by many)Saw dink Bluegill being caught and one nice Yellow Perch about 13" and fat .Yp was caught on a tipup /big shiner.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 19, 2012 at 1:38pm: Three inches thick according to one of the fisherman.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 19, 2012 at 1:22pm: Three guys on the ice today at Monksville.Gonna have to get out there soon!

Comment by John Sheehan on January 16, 2012 at 5:32pm: Were you alone?

Comment by Mike on January 16, 2012 at 5:17pm: I stayed fairly shallow and within about 50 yards of the boat launch. I used my auger to drill out in front of me and made sure the ice was safe. I really wanted to get out further, but that can wait for another day.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 16, 2012 at 5:08pm: Mike -Dont you be pushing it!!! 2-3 " isnt thick at all .Guess you were shallow.Hey ,you caught a Pickerel and I would have been happy to do that today!

Comment by Mike on January 16, 2012 at 3:44pm: I finally got out on the ice this afternoon. Ice was only 2-3" thick. VERY slow. Only jigged up one Chain Pickerel in 2 1/2 hours. At least it was nice to spend some time outdoors.