gill fishing sunday, a little redneck ice fishing

[Dwayne Denison]

Instead of watching the Superbowl, I headed out on a mission, to find open water. Here in So. Il, we don't have ice thick enough to ice fish, but a skim coating, so you cannot fish,either. So I called a friend of mine about his pond, He said, just break you out a small spot by dock. So thats what I did, found me a big stick and went to work, but had no way to remove ice chunks, this limited hole to little sections. Fishing was slow at first, had a Thill shy bite,long shank #14 hook, I had to remove weight. About a hour of lite bites, the gills came on. I caught about fifteen back to back, then my float took off, like a rocket.  At the other end was about a 8lb channel cat, all of a sudden, he went into a death roll, like a alligator. He was busting up the ice like crazy, I finally got him close enough, to land. When I realized I for got my dip net. I tried to hoist him up, but he was way to much for the light  hook, and away he went. Well all his trashing and turning, made my fishing hole bigger, but also scared everything away, did not catch another fish. I fished a couple more hours, but gave it up when darkness and temps fell. All I can say is thank you Lord, for giving me another day, doing what I love. It sure beat sitting in the house......Dwayne

[Dwayne Denison]

This was first time I fished in about 2 months, I was going insane! This pond I fish alot is small but full of fish. The guy that owns it, is older and doesn't fish it much, it is full of fish. The pond is only about 1/2 acre in size. Last year he wanted me to thin out the channel cats, for him. I caught about 65lb of fish in one afternoon. There is about an 8lb bass in there. Caught him once, but he jumped up and spit my crankbait at me. I will get him this year.

[John Sheehan]

Haven't fished in a full week and most likely wont be able to till next Tuesday.That'll be over two weeks for me .Possibly a record! 

 Hotdogs !No wonder you hooked the monster Cat!

I fished with hotdog pieces once for gills last year in some small ponds .The gills liked them.I didnt scent them though.Worm like strips huh!Clever!

[Dwayne Denison]

John, I thought about you ice fishing yesterday, wondering if this how you ice fish in NJ..haha. What do you think I used? My old standby, Hotdogs with garlic powder. Been cutting them in worm like strips. Since I always use so kind of smelly bait, I carry, so waterless hand wash. I on mistake, this time graped the citrus scented kind. Seems like I got more bite after using it, then baiting hook.

[John Sheehan]

Great report !!!What'd you use for bait?

You are the pioneer of SEMI-ICE FISHING!