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: 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 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.

Comment by Jim Gronaw on January 13, 2012 at 5:30pm: No ice in PA...have to travel north to be safe.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 13, 2012 at 3:00pm: Good Luck if you do Mike and be safe .No safe ice here in NENJ yet.

Comment by Mike on January 13, 2012 at 2:46pm: We don't have any safe ice here in CT yet. I am hoping to get out on Monday, however.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 13, 2012 at 2:44pm: WHO has ICE!!!

Comment by John Sheehan on January 13, 2012 at 2:43pm: Anxious to get on the ice and use this machine: This vid was very helpful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkpJTtNMOS8