Do you love big bluegill?

122813--wixom lake... first time ice fishing in nearly four years!

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Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on December 28, 2013 at 10:36pm: The best ice fishing is the result of mobility. As Ken noted, he moved and found a better bite when things had slowed elsewhere.

There is both an art and science to ice fishing, but the consistent results come from being able to move from place to place. You check your map for the right structure, you drill a few holes and you put the sonar to work. If the fish are there, YOU get to work. If it's a good spot and the bite lingers, you set up your clamshell shelter - - or not, if the weather stays nice. When they leave, or if they weren't there to start with... you pack up and move to the next place. Snowmobiles or 4-wheelers are as useful as any of the other tools on the drag sled.

The stationary shanties seen here (the square shaped ones) are as much a place to get away as they are shelter and (hopefully) a fishing hole. Think of them as a "man cave" away from home and you get the idea. They can be moved if you want, but it is a pain once they are iced in.

Comment by Leo Nguyen on December 28, 2013 at 10:09pm: I wouldn't doubt it. I tried vertical jigging in a hidden part of the Lake Perris, which can only access by boat/kayak/brave float tuber, and camp out at a certain spot for a long, long period of time over a massive moving school about 12FOW . Using a combination of the circular sonar, and switch to regular sonar views to see the differences between the electronic fishing methods. I can tell you, it's a crazy different world of fishing as you're vertical jigging. I can see the patience involve in ice fishing.

Comment by Slip Sinker on December 28, 2013 at 10:04pm: Whats really nice about this is the sampling of tips and hints on how the fish are hitting just by walking along and striking up a converation. I discovered that the hot early ice bite skidded to a halt by a very recent drawdown of the resevoir. I then strayed away from the group and found perch hitting shallower in 10 - 15 FOW. This allowed the entertainment as well as the educational factor breaking in the new electronics and equipment. Completely new ball game with this new electronics. Jigging for panfish is now similar to video gaming.

Comment by Leo Nguyen on December 28, 2013 at 9:44pm: White..cold..wholesome..freezing. A place that I can see quite a bit of fun.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on December 28, 2013 at 9:37pm: An idyllic scene.

This is what I miss about living in the Northlands. It looks great, Ken!