Do you love big bluegill?

Thanksgiving weekend fishin'.....

Well, I finally convinced myself to put down the chainsaw and brushcutter and hit the ponds. On the last day of my four day weekend!

the fish were cooperative, and I ended up with a grand total of 28. BUT...I could not seem to get into the bigguns' with any consistency, and I settled for an even dozen of keeper sized fish, 8-9"

I started off with a red, horizontal ice jig, (big surprise there), tipped with a couple spikes. The action was steady at first, despite the wind, then it tapered off. I switched colors on the jig, but could not entice a single fish, Soooo....I switched back to red, in the form of a smaller, size 14, vertical ice jig, and the fish were on again.

However, this had it's own share of problems, as the small vertical jig had a narrow gap hook. Not a problem when used on the ice, completely vertical below the angler, but when used beneath a float on a 50-60' cast, hooksets can be a problem. I lost as many fish as I landed, due to improper hookups.

All fish were caught from shore, fishing with the jig hung 8' below the float, in 14' of water. Water temps were 44 degrees on the surface.

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey D. Abney on November 25, 2012 at 4:24pm

Nice report Tony....I can't believe my water was 1 degree colder than yours today at 43......good looking keepers!

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Permalink Reply by Tony Livingston on November 25, 2012 at 4:28pm

Thanks Jeffrey.....at this rate you may be ice fishing before I am!

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey D. Abney on November 25, 2012 at 4:32pm

That would require several life lines......zero "sperience" ice fishing.....I was just happy to catch a few nice ones today in the very cold water.......

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Permalink Reply by Walt Foreman on November 25, 2012 at 6:01pm

Nice catch, Tony! I admire your cold-weather devotion.

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Permalink Reply by Cleavon Harrell on November 25, 2012 at 6:27pm

Nice Gills Tony!

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Permalink Reply by Jim Gronaw on November 25, 2012 at 6:31pm

Cold water gills...I love it! I managed just 3 yesterday but had a nice 16 inch bass on my second cast.

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Permalink Reply by Vince Fusco on November 25, 2012 at 9:00pm

Those are some good looking eaters, Tony. I still have some ice jigs from back in the 70's and use them occasionally. I need to break them out again with the cold weather we have lately. It got down to 28deg. last night and only in the upper 50's today. I threw a 1/32 jig 4' under a float this evening and missed the only hit I had. It's suppose to warm up again later this week.