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: 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 by Bruce Tomaselli on January 11, 2017 at 4:17pm: Well, ice fishing was slow today. I landed about 1/2 doz. gills and perch--nothing of any size. I did the best with fly #7 in photo I posted previously. The ice was abut 4 inches and it was about 52 degrees air temp. My buddy's daughter landed a 25 inch pickerel. I was fishing and not working, so I had a great day.

Comment by dick tabbert on January 10, 2017 at 5:10pm: Glad you had a good time and the fish are always a bonus. WTG....

Comment by John Sheehan on January 10, 2017 at 4:52pm: Fabulous time with my brother Greg ice fishing for the 1st time out 2017.We did real good . 10 Pickerel , 9 Gills, 3 Crappie . Gills were small and hit Butter worms on small straight line and spinning combos .All Crappie and Pickerel except for one each on shiner/ tipups were caught Jigging spoons tipped with Shiner heads and tails .

I gotta say my best tip to ice fisherman is to use the heads and tails of dead shiners on spoons .I saw another fisherman today feeding the dead bait to Gulls after catching a tipup fish .

Comment by John Sheehan on January 10, 2017 at 4:44pm: Bruce -best of luck out there one day before a full moon . We found them today in 8-10 feet on the edges of standing timber and weeds.

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on January 10, 2017 at 3:25pm: Big news! I'm getting out on the ice tomorrow. Try to post a photo tomorrow for anyone interested.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 8, 2017 at 6:04pm: Bruce , i am hoping Tuesday with brother Greg but wont be trusting it after a possible rain on Wednesday .If I drill 5:" I'll definitely feel safe.I feel safe on 4 "

Comment by dick tabbert on January 8, 2017 at 3:28pm: Bruce its better the be scared and safe than unsafe and a plung.

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on January 8, 2017 at 3:13pm: We've had guys getting on a lake near me, but only the inlets have ice. That kind of scares me. It's supposed to hit nearly 60 degrees for two days next week here in PA.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 8, 2017 at 10:38am: 5" AT THE MONKSVILLE ! ABOUT 10 GUYS FISHING .SAW A GUY CATCH A SMALL PICKEREL .TWO GUYS I TALKED WITH REPORTED LOTS OF SMALL GILLS AND PERCH .