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 Slip Sinker on January 24, 2019 at 6:22pm: John... you werent skunked... you just ran out of time!

Comment by John Sheehan on January 23, 2019 at 11:54am: Bad start 1/22/19 to the ice fishing season .Greg and I got skunked where we did so well 2 years ago for lots of Pickerel a some Crappie and Bluegills.

Comment by John Sheehan on February 15, 2018 at 7:06am

Comment by John Sheehan on February 15, 2018 at 7:05am: Thanks Carl .I am liking the simple spinner Rig under the ice .It bangs against the split shot and sends out the dinner Bell when the shiner struggles. Getting rain and warm weather so might be in fishing Limbo for awhile .

Comment by carl hendrix on February 14, 2018 at 11:59am: ITS HARD TO BEAT LIVE BAIT;; GOOD CATCHES BUDDY !!

Comment by John Sheehan on February 14, 2018 at 8:06am: It's been all Live Shiners past two times out .Only bait working .Pickerel, Perch and Bass

Comment by John Sheehan on February 13, 2018 at 8:12am: Got two small Pickerel 5 days ago using a homemade spinner Rig and live shiner on a dead sticked rod.

Comment by John Sheehan on February 7, 2018 at 7:17am: One good Fish for me and one for Buddy Steve Yesterday :Crappie-13.5" Frostee Jig /Live Shiner
Chain Pickerel-26" guestimated 4.5# Swedish Pimple/Salted Shiner Head Both Fish at 11'

Comment by John Sheehan on February 5, 2018 at 7:29am

Comment by carl hendrix on February 2, 2018 at 1:59pm: HEY MUSIC MAN;;; I ALSO HAVE TO GO ;; RIGHT BY ACADEMY SPORTS;; PLANNIBG TTO DROP IN THERE ALSO;; I CAN CHECK THERE TO BUDDY;; LOVE THESE CHRISTMAS GIFT CARDS;; LOLOLOL