Do you love big bluegill?

East coast Ice fisherman

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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: Feb 12, 2025

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.

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Comment by John Sheehan on February 12, 2025 at 7:40am

Comment by John Sheehan on February 11, 2025 at 3:46pm: Some nice Gills and Perch and a Bullhead through the ice for the three of us. My total was 13 with 12 out of one hole. Biggest Perch was 13" biggest Gill, 8.1/2. A fine outing. Once I found that one hole it was dead stick time, as only 2 came holding the rod and one on a tip up. I am convinced mid ice waxies and dead sticking off a bucket rod holder with 3#test and spring bobber or sensitive tip is the ticket. 2 waxies and fresh bait often was a great pattern. Sat on a bucket and watched the flasher tell its story.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 19, 2025 at 12:00pm: No Fish but got out on the Ice this past Thursday but no luck.5-6 " ice,19-21 turns of the hand auger.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 9, 2025 at 12:48pm: Hope to see some action for both of us, Bruce!

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on January 9, 2025 at 8:51am: I hoping this cold weather will get me back on the ice. It's been very windy here, too.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 9, 2025 at 8:39am: Last day of high winds are preventing proper freeze up. Lord knows it's been cold enough for ice. Good chance of getting on the ice next week!

Comment by John Sheehan on January 7, 2025 at 8:24am: Speedo Beads - Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Comment by John Sheehan on December 28, 2024 at 5:07pm: Bruce-Only got on the ice once last year. Last time i was on the ice before new years was 2010!

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on December 28, 2024 at 2:36pm: +

We really don't get much winter and ice making temperatures in my area any more. You could count on a few months of ice fishing. We haven't had any safe ice the past 3 years in Western, PA.

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Comment by John Sheehan on December 28, 2024 at 11:33am: Hope you get some ice, Bruce! Saw some guys fishing on 3" of ice while scouting yesterday. They didn't venture far from shore and were not catching that I could see. The rain today and warmer temps are making it even less safe than 3". I feel good with 4". Checking the weather report in NENJ I am hopeful for a possible January 7th outing.