Targeting Bass through the ice

[John Sheehan]

Hey friends ,my brother Greg and I are fishing a Buddy Bass IceTourny next week ,2/8 and I'd like some input on how you masters catch Bass through the ice . I've only fished this lake twice and know very little about it but do recall where I found weeds which may be a starting point if someone doesn't beat me there  .My brother has fished it through the ice a few times before but don't think he scored much .I've  only caught  two Bass through the ice this year but haven't used tipups  yet ,but intend to for the tourney ,in combination with jigging rods . I have a few ideas I'll be implementing but want to synthesize some experience from others into my past successes and plans .

Thanks folks,

John

Notes: "Another critically important ingredient for locating winter bass is the presence of weeds. The weed that is most often associated with winter time largemouth is cabbage." Source: http://www.nodakoutdoors.com/bass-ice-fishing.php

[Tony Livingston]

Wish I could be of more help John.....I catch a lot of bass, but to be completely honest, it's entirely by accident!

[John Sheehan]

What do they hit and what type of structure Tony? I personally don't catch a lot of bass through the ice .

[Tony Livingston]

Since I'm BG fishing when I catch them, I'm typically using a simple horizontal jig, tipped with a couple of spikes. Usually no larger than a size 12, oftentimes a #14.

Structure wise, I encounter them in the same types that i find the gills....sunken trees, humps, weedlines, etc. I assume they are there because the food is too.

[John Sheehan]

Thanks Tony,I have caught Bass by putting more than one waxie on a horizontal jig myself when using one waxie on the jig got Gills .Just a few weeks ago I caught a Gill ,Pseed and a decent Bass on the same beaded nymph /mealie ,16th oz. pounder weight rig .I think I know what size range  I'm gonna consider for using that day . I haven't done too well on the spikes this year .