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: Mar 7

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.

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.

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 14, 2017 at 3:11pm: Who's gonna be the 1st one on the ice this year?

Comment by John Sheehan on February 7, 2017 at 8:00am: Thanks Carl !

Comment by carl hendrix on February 6, 2017 at 5:55pm: NICE WORK MUSIC MAN !! REALLY GLAD TO SEE YOU AND GREG AND ZACK GETTING OUT FOR A DAY OF FUN !

Comment by John Sheehan on February 6, 2017 at 7:52am: Took my nephew Zack out for his 1st ice fishing expedition . and we didn't do well .Got out midday and most of the area was covered with ice fisherman . Here is the total for three times out on the only safe ice we can find ,(Monksville Reservoir ) : 1) ...1/10...6 Pickerel, 3 Crappie 3Gills
Greg 4 Pickerel 6Gills
2)....1/16... 3 Pickerel
Greg 10 Pickerel
3)...2/4 ....3 Gills
Zack 0

Comment by John Sheehan on January 16, 2017 at 7:16am

Comment by John Sheehan on January 16, 2017 at 7:13am: Pickerel are on Fire at the Monksville in 8-10 foot depths in the treetops .

Comment by John Sheehan on January 13, 2017 at 7:54am: Bruce , i hear ya about leaving them while they are hitting . It got warm here for a few days and stopped the chances for me but I hope with the cold temps coming in I can do an evening bite on Sunday.I'll let you know . Keep pluggin' man!

Comment by dick tabbert on January 12, 2017 at 5:17pm: Man I hate it when that happens.

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on January 12, 2017 at 4:25pm: Well, ice fishing was slow yesterday until I left at 3:00 PM for a doctor appointment. My friends moved close to some docks after I left, and by dark, had a total of 26 keepers to go along with the 3 I contributed earlier. Most nice bluegills and perch, along with two nice crappies. Oh well, I guess the fun doesn't start until after I leave.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 12, 2017 at 7:34am: At least you got out and caught Bruce .Good man! Wow a 25 " Pickerel is great ! How deep were you fishing and how deep was bottom? What kind of structure ?

Greg and I fished standing timber /weed edges very near a Sandy flat .I often do well where two or more different structures come together .