Tough fishing today.

[Tony Livingston]

I got out for a couple hours this afternoon. After two weeks with unfishable ice cover, (too thin), it felt great to wet a line. It was a beautiful day, with a high of 38 degrees and sunny. Unfortunately, it was also very windy, 25 mph with gusts to 35.

I didn't get a water temp, but with 1.5" of ice on it a week ago I'll let you be the judge. There was a dusting of snow from last night that lingered all day in shaded areas.

I fell back on my trusty tungsten ladybug, as that pattern has been really good to me this winter. I tipped it with a beemoth, and suspended it below a slip float. I fished in 3 of my ponds, at depths between 8 and 12 feet. The wind made it tough to get the right presentation down, but I managed a few. The largemouth Bass were very active in the hybrid bluegill pond, I ended up with 5 of those, 10-12", all released. Only one HBG, also a small one that probably went 3/4 lb, released to hopefully grow some more.

I had 15 native, or northern BG, they went 7-8.5" Again, I just couldn't hook up with any bigger fish. I kept the northern gills', they'll be supper in a day or two.

In spite of their smaller size, it was a very enjoyable afternoon. It was better than sitting on the couch waiting for spring to arrive, and I can always use the exercise!

[Tony Livingston]

One more pic... small largemouth.

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

At least you were rewarded for your efforts Tony.......pretty gills and from what I gather those ice gills taste terrific!

[dick tabbert]

Nice gills Tony. I know like you it had to be enjoyable to get that line stretched. We still have about a 1/4" of ice but very windy today, my garbage can that were in the back yard are now in the front and they are square cans. Good Pics Tony keep them coming.

[Leo Nguyen]

Always a good day when the line is wet. Nice catches no less. Let me know if you want to keep your wigglers wiggling longer under water. I'll send you the resin to play with to keep them wiggling just a few minutes more in the chilly water

[Tony Livingston]

Well, I got out again today, and found a little bigger fish. Strange conditions, 1/2 of my ponds' surface had skim ice, and the other half nearly had whitecaps due to the wind. I ended up with 14, averaging 9" I did catch a nice hybrid, and a decent redear, I'll post those pics elsewhere.

It was a productive weekend, almost 3.5 lbs of fillets, some tasty dinner in my future...

[dick tabbert]

Good job Tony. What did you use baitwise. Looks like a BG dinner coming.

[Jim Gronaw]

Outstanding wintertime angling. Keep it up!