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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
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.
Comment Wall
Comment
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Comment by chris on February 1, 2011 at 4:35pm
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caught this on in 21' of water on a small jig. its about 9" and the biggest gill i saw at the tourny
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Comment by John Sheehan on February 1, 2011 at 7:39am
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All 5 fish yesterday came on waxies/Frostee Spoon.Salted minnow heads,nothin',Spikes /Marmooskas,nothin. Thanks for the tip Jim!It seems like the mid ice slowfishing has begun for me . This happened last year also.
Yesterday: 18" Pickerel, 2Gills about 7&1/2 each ,Yellow Perch about 9" ,One 10&1/2 " Crappie
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Good luck with the Tourny Chris! It's been a week but I was catching fish in wood cover in sand/dirt bottom in 8-15' fish hitting near bottom .Bright color (Chartruese) with the snow cover.
It might be worth trying near a creek channel if you can find it with the right cover for your lake . Ice has got to be real thick by now (It is around here)but be careful if their is a spring nearby.
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my tourny is tomorrow. where have you guys been getting some nice fish (depth, cover, structure)?
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I 'll have to give waxies a shot Jim.Been fishing spikes/mealies and my latest interest in ice bait,salted minnow heads on spoons.
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Comment by Jim Gronaw on January 27, 2011 at 12:38pm
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This year I have caught bass, bluegills, crappie and yellow perch through the ice using a variety of lures...Kastmasters, Rattle Flash Spoons, 1/80th and 1/100th oz jigs, marmooskas and Gill Getters. About 65 % of my fish have come on gillgetters tipped with waxies. All lures were tipped with either waxies or maggots.
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Well you catch great fish Mike!The Bluegills and Smallmouth Bass you catch are great!
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Comment by Mike on January 23, 2011 at 9:19pm
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John,
I have never caught any fish through the ice on a spoon. Everything I catch is on jigs.
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Mike -Any of those big gills you catch hit jigged spoons ?
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Can't wait to catch some more big gills through the ice.
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