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East coast Ice fisherman

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East coast Ice fisherman

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.

Comment Wall

Comment

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

Comment by Slip Sinker on January 24, 2019 at 6:22pm

John... you werent skunked... you just ran out of time!

Comment by John Sheehan on January 23, 2019 at 11:54am

Bad start 1/22/19 to the ice fishing season .Greg and I got skunked where we did so well 2 years ago  for lots of Pickerel a some Crappie and Bluegills.

Comment by John Sheehan on February 15, 2018 at 7:06am

Comment by John Sheehan on February 15, 2018 at 7:05am

Thanks Carl .I am liking the simple spinner Rig under the ice .It bangs against the split shot and sends out the dinner Bell when the shiner struggles. Getting rain and warm weather so might be in fishing Limbo for awhile .

Comment by carl hendrix on February 14, 2018 at 11:59am

ITS HARD TO BEAT LIVE BAIT;;  GOOD CATCHES BUDDY !!

Comment by John Sheehan on February 14, 2018 at 8:06am

It's been all Live Shiners past two times out .Only bait working .Pickerel, Perch and Bass

Comment by John Sheehan on February 13, 2018 at 8:12am

Got two small Pickerel 5 days ago using a homemade spinner Rig and live shiner on a dead sticked rod.

Comment by John Sheehan on February 7, 2018 at 7:17am

One good Fish for me and one for Buddy Steve Yesterday :Crappie-13.5" Frostee Jig /Live Shiner
Chain Pickerel-26" guestimated 4.5# Swedish Pimple/Salted Shiner Head Both Fish at 11'

Comment by John Sheehan on February 5, 2018 at 7:29am

Comment by carl hendrix on February 2, 2018 at 1:59pm

HEY MUSIC MAN;;;  I ALSO HAVE TO GO ;; RIGHT BY ACADEMY SPORTS;; PLANNIBG TTO DROP IN THERE ALSO;; I CAN CHECK THERE TO BUDDY;;  LOVE THESE CHRISTMAS GIFT CARDS;; LOLOLOL

 

Members (21)

 
 
 

Latest Activity

John Sheehan posted a photo

July Bully jig/crawler piece

The lonely Bully and in July midday! Didn't see them at this spot earlier this year. In years past,…
Monday
John Sheehan posted photos
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
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Quality Gills…Caught and Released….7/9/2025

"Thanks Bruce…..I think they’re here for the Buck moon tomorrow and a week from now…"
Jul 9
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
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Beautiful Crappie Replica Mounts…..7/9/2025

"I thought they tuned out great…..the tuxedo crappie looks real…."
Jul 9
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Jul 9
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Jul 9
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Jul 9
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Jul 9
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Jul 9
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Jul 9
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"We’re in another heat wave so I got to my first spot ten minutes before sunrise….left the ramp at 5:30 and back on the trailer at 8:30…"
Jul 9
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
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Nesting Pair of Ospreys......

"Yeah most nests are not this close to the water and this river is remote with alligators and large…"
Jul 7
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
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Nesting Pair of Ospreys......

"Guess the Osprey knew it was a great spot too. The Cormorants up here are murder on the stocked…"
Jul 7
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
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Nesting Pair of Ospreys......

"This was a great fishing spot for me until the osprey nested……I’ve seen chicks…"
Jul 6
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Jul 6
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
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So many spots to place your bait...

"These cypress trees are now in the water….still producing great fishing…"
Jul 6
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
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The big Cypress downed by a Hurricane.....

"This is a good example John…..I posted this picture in 2012 and a couple weeks ago I caught…"
Jul 6
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Jul 6
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
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Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Thanks John…..being in the south we’re always drawn to cypress trees and the…"
Jul 6
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
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Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Nice info, Jeffrey! Up here my main Crappie habits have been wood cover near deep water and willow…"
Jul 6

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