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: Nov 25, 2022

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

Tipping with Perch eyes 2 Replies

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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.

Top Ten Ice Fishing Lures 1 Reply

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 Feb 7, 2018.

Ice Fishing Article links

Temp under the ice:…Continue

Started by John Sheehan Jan 18, 2017.

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Comment Wall

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Comment by dick tabbert on January 2, 2018 at 4:54pm: John They don't know whats good but that worked out in the long run made more for the men.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 2, 2018 at 4:50pm: Brought the Traditional smoked Trout to Brother Greg's House again this year for Christmas Eve . Alder Chips tasted great! The 5 Men loved it but the 4 Ladies ignored .BAD LADIES!

Comment by John Sheehan on January 2, 2018 at 4:46pm: Thanks Dick , so nice to get back out after no fishing for three weeks .Playing guitar and Holidays with Family and Friends kept me busy without complaints though .

Comment by dick tabbert on January 2, 2018 at 4:41pm: Nice Perch John don't get any better eating than that.. We have good ice and want to get out back guess I'll have to see what happens.

Comment by John Sheehan on January 2, 2018 at 4:30pm: 1ST OUTING 2018: A safe 5" of ice, 21 turns of the Auger. Best hit the 12" mark .Skinned and in fridge .Tomorrow they'll be in my stomach . Caught 4 Perch 1 Pickerel, 3 Perch Kept .... One Perch tipup /shiner ;the 12" ... Three Perch straight lined Marmooska/Waxie... One Pickerel Slim Fin Spoon /Waxie ....Steve 4 Perch 2 Kept, 3 jigged with waxies ,1 tipup shiner.

Comment by John Sheehan on December 15, 2017 at 8:38am: https://www.almanac.com/content/ice-thickness-safety-chart?trk_msg=...(read+more)&utm_campaign=Companion+Daily

Comment by John Sheehan on December 14, 2017 at 3:11pm: Who's gonna be the 1st one on the ice this year?

Comment by John Sheehan on February 7, 2017 at 8:00am: Thanks Carl !

Comment by carl hendrix on February 6, 2017 at 5:55pm: NICE WORK MUSIC MAN !! REALLY GLAD TO SEE YOU AND GREG AND ZACK GETTING OUT FOR A DAY OF FUN !

Comment by John Sheehan on February 6, 2017 at 7:52am: Took my nephew Zack out for his 1st ice fishing expedition . and we didn't do well .Got out midday and most of the area was covered with ice fisherman . Here is the total for three times out on the only safe ice we can find ,(Monksville Reservoir ) : 1) ...1/10...6 Pickerel, 3 Crappie 3Gills
Greg 4 Pickerel 6Gills
2)....1/16... 3 Pickerel
Greg 10 Pickerel
3)...2/4 ....3 Gills
Zack 0