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: on Thursday

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 December 26, 2011 at 10:27am: Sounds great Jim I havent caught a fish since early December .Needless to say I'm anxious for any type of fishing I can get in on!

Comment by Jim Gronaw on December 26, 2011 at 9:53am: Hey John...doesn't look good for safe ice anytime soon in the Mason Dixon area. We have had a great late fall/early winter bite on crappies this year though, and the yellow perch and bluegills are starting to show up as well.

Who needs ice with fishing like that?

Comment by John Sheehan on December 26, 2011 at 9:36am: Wont be long now guys!

Comment by John Sheehan on March 16, 2011 at 1:24pm: ice is entirely off the shallow lake i fish at ice out now ...had one great day and a few skunkings .I expect a big time turnon again here in New Jersey and hope to report back with ice out news perhaps on another post though. See you guys here in December.

Comment by chris on March 6, 2011 at 6:41pm: down here in southern ct my lake had 2-3 inches... but with the rain and warm weather im expecting ice out in the next week

Comment by Mike on March 6, 2011 at 2:23pm: Game over for me here in CT. Heavy rain and 50 plus degrees today will eat up lots of our ice. The jigging has been tough here lately. I only got 1 decent bluegill and 7 small yellow perch in 4 hours yesterday. Nevertheless, it was a great ice season with lots of quality fish.

Comment by John Sheehan on March 4, 2011 at 1:46pm: Yeah I hear ya Chris . I'm kinda busy this month with work and concerned I'm gonna miss some ice out Perchin' .I'm just gonna havta get out come ice out .Its disappearing now .

Comment by chris on March 1, 2011 at 6:58pm: john, im getting antsy, i cant wait

Comment by John Sheehan on March 1, 2011 at 3:44pm: Saw two guys out on the ice today on Cupsaw as I was driving past.It'll be open water soon .I believe I wont be getting out on the ice any more this year.