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East coast Ice fisherman
Information
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, 2025
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
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
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Comment by Bruce Tomaselli on December 28, 2024 at 10:55am
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We don't have good ice anywhere in PA yet, do we?
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Comment by John Sheehan on December 26, 2024 at 2:21pm
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Is that so Dick! I am hoping it'll get to 4" here. It's close to 3" in other areas nearby if reports are accurate. Might be a short window possible.
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Comment by dick tabbert on December 26, 2024 at 11:14am
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We started out looking like ice then we hit a warm spell all is gone.
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Who'll be the first one on the Ice this Year? Hope to see a good report! Merry Christmas friends!
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Another sad ice Fishing year after no ice last Year . Ice out now and Greg and I only got out once in 2023/2024.Only one Pickerel was caught. Swedish Pimple saved the skunk.
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Sister-in -Law gave me these ice spoons and Tungsten Jigs I hope to use if New Jersey gets safe ice in 2024.
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Comment by Slip Sinker on December 3, 2023 at 10:49pm
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above normal temps coming in for us
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Starting to get the itch!
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No Bruce , thinking way ahead to January. Earliest I've ever ice fished is Christmas Eve.
Latest Activity
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"That’s hilarious John…..this one was very aggressive, not shy at all…..but…"
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"Ha ha ,that's happened twice with me. Once when I was in a Belly Boat! My wife said,…"
Pretty Largemouth….Prespawn…..3/14/2026
"Yeah, hopefully not long for me to get out there. Nice Bass, Jeff!"
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