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 January 18, 2022 at 3:19pm: AMAZING RECORD CATCH : New State Record Cusk Landed in New Hampshire | Field & Stream ...

Comment by John Sheehan on March 3, 2021 at 6:50am: Oh I see you've done that in the past

Comment by John Sheehan on March 1, 2021 at 10:25am: Bruce! Good to hear from you .5 times huh ,good Man! I only got out twice. How'd you do ?Any pics and tips?

If you want to add a Topic click the 'Add Discussion ' button .It's below the discussion Forum headings and above 'Comment Wall' on the left.

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on March 1, 2021 at 8:34am: I don't know how to begin a new topic, although this one is a sad one. My ice is done for the year. At least I got in 5 trips this year. I'm going to invest in an ice power drill conversion kit so I can go when I have the time.

Comment by John Sheehan on March 1, 2021 at 6:34am: Sounds great ,thanks Jim!

Comment by Jim Gronaw on February 28, 2021 at 10:18pm: I just started using blades...try the Damiki Vault at 1/2 oz for those big ice out pickerel and bass. Rip em up off the bottom and keep a tight line on the fall back. Most strikes are on the fall. If in a boat just vertical jig them.

Comment by John Sheehan on February 28, 2021 at 11:43am: Great Crappie Jim ! I'll have to give blade baits a try!

Comment by Jim Gronaw on February 28, 2021 at 9:04am: Wow John nice work!! No ice fishing here this year as we had only skim ice recently and that kept us from doing any kind of fishing. Did get some blade bait bass, big crappie and a few dink gills between the sheets of ice here and there.

Comment by John Sheehan on February 24, 2021 at 2:41pm: These three spoons have been the catchers so far Jan/Feb 2021 :1/8th oz.Slimfish/ 1/5th oz. SP and 1/4 oz.SP.Tipped with salted Shiner heads or Live Fathead Minnows.