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.

View All

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of East coast Ice fisherman to add comments!

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on January 3, 2018 at 4:45pm: Yum, yum, Perch

Comment by John Sheehan on January 3, 2018 at 8:18am: Welcome Tinknocker!Look forward to your pics ,info and input!

Comment by John Sheehan on January 2, 2018 at 4:59pm: Great Appetizers!

Comment by John Sheehan on January 2, 2018 at 4:58pm: HA ha yes .Good thing too cause the two Trout were small and devoured immediately . Caught from a small brook , stockers nevertheless .Gotta find a place to get a few 13-14" fatties just before Christmas next year ! Guess thats another NY resolution to aim for .

Comment by dick tabbert on January 2, 2018 at 4:54pm: John They don't know whats good but that worked out in the long run made more for the men.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 2, 2018 at 4:50pm: Brought the Traditional smoked Trout to Brother Greg's House again this year for Christmas Eve . Alder Chips tasted great! The 5 Men loved it but the 4 Ladies ignored .BAD LADIES!

Comment by John Sheehan on January 2, 2018 at 4:46pm: Thanks Dick , so nice to get back out after no fishing for three weeks .Playing guitar and Holidays with Family and Friends kept me busy without complaints though .

Comment by dick tabbert on January 2, 2018 at 4:41pm: Nice Perch John don't get any better eating than that.. We have good ice and want to get out back guess I'll have to see what happens.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 2, 2018 at 4:30pm: 1ST OUTING 2018: A safe 5" of ice, 21 turns of the Auger. Best hit the 12" mark .Skinned and in fridge .Tomorrow they'll be in my stomach . Caught 4 Perch 1 Pickerel, 3 Perch Kept .... One Perch tipup /shiner ;the 12" ... Three Perch straight lined Marmooska/Waxie... One Pickerel Slim Fin Spoon /Waxie ....Steve 4 Perch 2 Kept, 3 jigged with waxies ,1 tipup shiner.