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: Feb 12

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 Wall

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Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on December 28, 2024 at 10:55am: We don't have good ice anywhere in PA yet, do we?

Comment by John Sheehan on December 26, 2024 at 2:21pm: Is that so Dick! I am hoping it'll get to 4" here. It's close to 3" in other areas nearby if reports are accurate. Might be a short window possible.

Comment by dick tabbert on December 26, 2024 at 11:14am: We started out looking like ice then we hit a warm spell all is gone.

Comment by John Sheehan on December 24, 2024 at 11:57am: Who'll be the first one on the Ice this Year? Hope to see a good report! Merry Christmas friends!

Comment by John Sheehan on March 7, 2024 at 12:10pm: Another sad ice Fishing year after no ice last Year . Ice out now and Greg and I only got out once in 2023/2024.Only one Pickerel was caught. Swedish Pimple saved the skunk.

Comment by John Sheehan on December 28, 2023 at 4:33pm: Sister-in -Law gave me these ice spoons and Tungsten Jigs I hope to use if New Jersey gets safe ice in 2024.

Comment by John Sheehan on December 25, 2023 at 5:15pm: Ice Fishing Perch in 2023: Tips and Techniques (usangler.com)

Comment by Slip Sinker on December 3, 2023 at 10:49pm: above normal temps coming in for us

Comment by John Sheehan on December 3, 2023 at 3:12pm: Starting to get the itch!

Comment by John Sheehan on November 25, 2022 at 4:55pm: No Bruce , thinking way ahead to January. Earliest I've ever ice fished is Christmas Eve.