Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

East coast Ice fisherman

Information

East coast Ice fisherman

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: Jan 19

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.

Comment Wall

Comment

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

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 .

Comment by dick tabbert on January 6, 2017 at 11:58am

Hope it works out for you.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 6, 2017 at 11:14am

Might have a window Tuesday to ice fish with brother Greg .

Comment by carl hendrix on December 31, 2016 at 3:54pm

THANSK JOHN;;  IM STILL TRYING TO GET THE SIZE; COLOR; SHAPE OF ICE JIGS;; THE JIGHEADS I POSTED HERE;; ARE NOW ; MORE MULTI-COLORED;; MOTTED  IN CHARTUSE; BLACK; GREEN; AND ORANGE;; THE LOOK A LOT BETTER CLOSE UP; THAN  THE PIX !

 

Members (21)

 
 
 

Latest Activity

Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

1000003414

"Wow, beautiful!"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

1000003414

"Real nice, Troy!"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

1000003414

"Looks great Troy……a beautiful reminder of the sport we love……good luck…"
Friday
Troy Dorman posted photos
Friday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

2lb 7oz toad

"This is a beautiful tribute to a great fish…..well done to the angler and your…"
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Agree John….we were reasonably mild until we reached January….we’ve had small craft advisories every day in 2025, no safe boating yet ,crazy"
Thursday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Jan 22
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Not often That East Coast of North Carolina Boat Ramps are Covered With Snow and Ice……1/22/2025

Water looks inviting but single digit wind chills screamed don’t do it Jeffrey….cant wait for…
Jan 22
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group East coast Ice fisherman
"No Fish but got out on the Ice this past Thursday but no luck.5-6 " ice,19-21 turns of the…"
Jan 19
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's status
"Dick, I thought that used Christmas tree was for a Fish crib."
Jan 10
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's status
"No trees John. Trees around the whole pond on the outskirts."
Jan 9
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group East coast Ice fisherman
"Hope to see some action for both of us, Bruce! "
Jan 9
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's status
"That tree going out on the Ice for a Fish attracter, Dick?"
Jan 9
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's status
Jan 9
dick tabbert posted a status
"Starting to ice up here again."
Jan 9
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's group East coast Ice fisherman
"I hoping this cold weather will get me back on the ice. It's been very windy here, too."
Jan 9
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group East coast Ice fisherman
"Last day of high winds are preventing proper freeze up. Lord knows it's been cold enough for…"
Jan 9
John Sheehan replied to Jim Gronaw's discussion BOWFIN LOVERS in the group The Big and Ugly
"From the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife site. New State record Bowfin  Frank Hubert caught the…"
Jan 9
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group East coast Ice fisherman
"Speedo Beads - Bluegill - Big Bluegill "
Jan 7

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service