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: on Monday

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 carl hendrix on December 31, 2016 at 3:54pm: THANSK JOHN;; IM STILL TRYING TO GET THE SIZE; COLOR; SHAPE OF ICE JIGS;; THE JIGHEADS I POSTED HERE;; ARE NOW ; MORE MULTI-COLORED;; MOTTED IN CHARTUSE; BLACK; GREEN; AND ORANGE;; THE LOOK A LOT BETTER CLOSE UP; THAN THE PIX !

Comment by John Sheehan on December 31, 2016 at 2:04pm: Those 'll get the job done Carl!

Comment by carl hendrix on December 31, 2016 at 2:00pm

Comment by John Sheehan on December 30, 2016 at 3:47pm: Dick , in my ice fishing chronicles I archive the baits I've used for my catches since 2009 to the present (the times there was safe ice that is) I have used both small and large baits and caught fish but my successes don't mirror GREAT catches and I am willing to mix it up with exploration of newly discovered winter fish holding areas AND different bait type /sizes /techniques, etc.

Comment by dick tabbert on December 30, 2016 at 1:10pm: OK John your getting me started. Ice jigs a coming. There is a difference between ice flies, ice jigs and ice spoons although for our quarry they are small morsels ment to catch panfish.

Comment by carl hendrix on December 30, 2016 at 12:13pm: ALSO;; FOR CONSIDERATION;; THESE ;; BOBBY GARLAND; LITTLE BITTY SWIMMERS

Comment by John Sheehan on December 30, 2016 at 11:51am: Yes Carl, 64th 's are great cold water and Ice fishing size!

Comment by John Sheehan on December 30, 2016 at 11:49am: I 've favored the red ,white and Chartreuse colors through the ice but green and Orange have caught also Carl!

Comment by dick tabbert on December 30, 2016 at 11:46am: Small is always good. I like paint with flake and glow in the dark paints for mine and as much glow in the dark material I can put on it remembering to keep it small. Just my opinion.

Comment by carl hendrix on December 30, 2016 at 11:42am: I FORGOT TO ADD;; THAT I HAD ALSO TRIMMED OFF THE COLLAR ON SOME OF THESE JIGS;; THEY WERE 1/64 I BELIEVE IN THE BEGINNING;; AFTER TRIMMING OFF THE COLLAR;; HAD TO REDUCE THE WEIGHT A LITTLE-- SOO;; WOULD THESE BE CONSIDERED; AS ICE FISHING TYPES ?