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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You need to be a member of East coast Ice fisherman to add comments!

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on November 25, 2022 at 3:21pm: Do you have ice in your area?

Comment by John Sheehan on November 25, 2022 at 12:03pm: Anyone here using Schooley Reels and Rods . I want to try this if I can find my old cheap Eagle Claw schooley reel I bought and never used years ago. I'd like to see how folks mount them on the Rods they use.

Comment by John Sheehan on February 13, 2022 at 12:43pm: Gregs 13.5" Yellow Perch took a tiny Squirreltail Jig tipped with a Fathead Minnow.

Comment by John Sheehan on February 12, 2022 at 2:39pm: PB ICE Bass 20.1/2"

Took a 1/5th 0z. Orange Swedish Pimple/ Fathead Minnow in 14 fow. Greg got 1st Fish on a tip up, a decent Pickerel took a fathead. Then I got jigged up a tiny pickerel on a small slim fin spoon
/fathead ....next fish was this Bass and then same hole I lost a decent Pickerel unpinned at the hole . Spoons/Fatheads hooked three . One on plain fathead under a tip up.. Jigging mobility was the order,

Comment by John Sheehan on March 3, 2021 at 6:50am: Oh I see you've done that in the past

Comment by John Sheehan on March 1, 2021 at 10:25am: Bruce! Good to hear from you .5 times huh ,good Man! I only got out twice. How'd you do ?Any pics and tips?

If you want to add a Topic click the 'Add Discussion ' button .It's below the discussion Forum headings and above 'Comment Wall' on the left.

Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on March 1, 2021 at 8:34am: I don't know how to begin a new topic, although this one is a sad one. My ice is done for the year. At least I got in 5 trips this year. I'm going to invest in an ice power drill conversion kit so I can go when I have the time.

Comment by John Sheehan on March 1, 2021 at 6:34am: Sounds great ,thanks Jim!

Comment by Jim Gronaw on February 28, 2021 at 10:18pm: I just started using blades...try the Damiki Vault at 1/2 oz for those big ice out pickerel and bass. Rip em up off the bottom and keep a tight line on the fall back. Most strikes are on the fall. If in a boat just vertical jig them.