"Hard" Water Season

[Patrick "Bullworm" Olson]

Well the ice fishing season is upon us here in the "ice belt"! Man O Man I'm excited! I haven't augered a hole for fish in 9 years. I'm wanting to rush out and start drilling and unlocking the winter mysteries that await. But, for those of us that have the same feelings, we must exercise patients and caution! Early ice is the best time to catch big gills and crappies. It is also a time for mishaps that can cause tragic problems. I just want to urge all that are going out ice fishing for the first time this season, becareful. Your life and health is far more important than a double digit (length) gill. I know this from experience. I have gone through twice! It is not fun! So, becareful, have fun and be smart out there!

[Patrick "Bullworm" Olson]

Greg, I am comfortable with a minimum of 4". I was up on Lake of The Woods one time, and drilled through 46" of ice. Yup, almost 4 feet!

[Greg McWilliams]

Ok Patrick, How big of a hole do you drill in the ice? What depth of water do you target getting started? I will probably ask lots of question , because I know nothing about this. And This fascinates me going out on ice.
Greg

[Patrick "Bullworm" Olson]

Greg, I have a 10" auger. I like the 10 for viewing purposes. Sometimes the gills bite so lite you can't feel it or see it with a bobber or spring bobber. I target gills starting shallow and in the greenest weeds I can find. As winter progresses I will move out to transitions in bottom composition, humps and dips, in deep water.

[Patrick "Bullworm" Olson]

Sorry to hear about the pile of snow on that new ice! So far we have very little, maybe 1 inch, if that! It is cold too. -6 to -15 without windchill!

[bluegillboogieman]

I start sweatin' just thinking about getting out on ice. Ya'll are crazy! Who do you think you are? Tiger Woods drillin' holes everywhere? You see what happened when he went through. Ruined his whole industry I heard.

Man, it's 41 degrees outside here. I ain't even thinking about going fishing in this kind of weather! I'll just sit here in my recliner and shiver thinkin' about ya'll.

Remember, I know CPR and I will save you,,,,,,come spring thaw!

Boogieman
More Power To Ya'll

[Rob Garner]

Boogieman,its not that bad really the unnerving part is whan the ice is still thin and it starts singing to ya (making ice) thats when its cracking and making all kind of noise each lake is different though some sing more than others usually the clearer the water the more they sing. Plus early ice is pretty cool too when you get the good clear ice and can see everything underneath you.
I'll try to take some pics and post them later I may get out today and I know some lakes I can take a few pics on. Oh yeah to all the other ice guys and gals out there stay on top.

[bluegillboogieman]

Uh Huh! I'll just listen to them little cubes of ice in my drink here beside my recliner. They snap crackle and pop enough for me. Ya'll have fun. Remember, early ice is clear so when you go under you can look up through it and kiss normal goodbye! You know, there are exceptions on my life insurance for drag racing, hang gliding and other death traps, LIKE DRILLING HOLES IN THE ICE UNDER MY FEET!!!!!!

I kind of like reading a lot of what you guys post so ya'll come back now, you hear?

Boogieman
But, ya'll ain't that easy to scare are you?

[Jim Gronaw]

Hey guys...living in the Mid-Atlantic doesn't always mean icefishing opts each year. Usually, we have to make the run to Deep Creek Lake for big yellow perch, bluegills and walleyes. In the Mason-Dixon region sometimes the lakes freeze over, but just not quite thick enough to get out safely and fish. That's when we fish either hot-water plant discharges for smallmouths or Delmarva millponds for crappie and pickerel.

I am going to try and post a few pics of our DCL perch fro the past two ice seasons, mostly on Rapala Jigging Raps and Kastsmaster or Pimples tipped with waxworms.

Like the rest of you, I can't wait to hit the ice either!

[John Sheehan]

The rest of us does not include bluegill boogieman,Jim!!Did you read his posts ?He thinks we're crazy...may be right!Ha Ha!

[John Sheehan]

Oh he"s from Alabama ...I understand now quite well...come on up BGBG you'll enjoy ice fishin' when you're on safe ice, something that's a little scarce in Alabama! Dress warm !

[IceWarriorGill]

Hey Everybody!!!! I'm also pumped for the HARD WATER SEASON to begin here in Upstate NY--only have about a 1/2 inch to an inch at present (if that)!! I agree with Bullworm in that I wouldn't venture out unless there's a good 4 inches of ice out there!!! Can't wait to get DRILLIN!!!!

[John Sheehan]

Bought three Frabill Classic tipups for Christmas gifts today.One's for me!