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 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.

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 January 18, 2022 at 3:19pm: AMAZING RECORD CATCH : New State Record Cusk Landed in New Hampshire | Field & Stream ...

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.