Just curious if anyone else is out on the ice yet. I've spent some time fishing for big pike over the last couple of weeks. We have 8" of ice as of Friday, and just pulled the permanent shanty out on the "Dead Sea" in upstate NY. No flags yet in 2x outings, but we are fishing really big bait, it's truly a waiting game and more like hunting than fishing. I don't have tons of time in the winter, but plan to head out a couple more times before ice is out and my traveling starts again for work, one of these years it's gonna pay off though. My wifes cousin (main fishing partner) has caught a ton fish between 20-29lbs over the last 15 years in the lake they live on, this is where we spend most of our time fishing. Anyone else on the water? If so, what do you fish for? Have you been out yet? The pic is from the "Dead Sea" (a.k.a. the Great Sacandaga) last Saturday. She was really singing last weekend while making ice.......not for the faint of heart.
Nah, never got into it. I need to be a little more proactive in fishing to keep me interested. Plus, I hate cold weather when I'm not moving. I think it might be fun to try, though. Just for the heck of it.
I ice fished a handful of times when I was a kid, but just started again last year. It's a ton of fun, just a great time on the ice with family and friends. My wife even wants to go, I think we will try this weekend. If I can get her hooked, I think we will try and build a shanty for next season. Fish like this keep me interested, it's a great spot for big fish, but you might fish 2-3 days between flags. This is a fish my wife's cousin caught in 2008 out of the lake the in-laws live on, it was caught during a major tournament. It was 46" and 26lbs.
Haven't been angling much, went out today with my girlfriends dad and caught 10 or so nice perch. I've been spearing a ton though...I'll bring the camera next time. Decoyed 21 fish in 3 hours last weekend.
I love getting out on the ice with a bunch of friends. I hope to get out next weekend.. a couple pics from last year at my lake.. My buddy's boy Danny and my yellow boy Dobie... I'll be sure to take my cam on our next outing.
Most years I spend as much time as I can out on the ice. I mainly chase crappies, perch, and walleye, but haven't been out once this year. Hopefully this week will give me some time charge the batteries in the vex and head out.
I've been out twice with Johnny. Limited out on Crappies and Bluegills (25) in about an hour both times.
I ice fish... but haven't started yet this year. I mainly do Oneida lake and it hadn't frozen until recently. I don't go until the ice is thick and I can drive my 4 wheeler. LOL I also do it only for fish I like to eat. I throw northerns back. Give me a walleye or a nice jack perch and I'm cooking. LOL
Matt, I haven't yet.... I've still got some killing to do, but after that I'm in! Good luck with the big northerns!
i usually wait till Jan 1, but hit bass pro shop last week for new line and runners for my Clam. i cant wait!
Cool pics, guys. Thats a huge pike, RJ! I did a ton of ice fishing as a kid growing up on Lake St Clair. Now, I really only make it out when the rivers are frozen and I can steelhead fish, which doesn't happen every year. I will probably go more in the future as the kids get older. My brother and I took my daughter for the first time last year.
I use to pretty much live on the Ice before I bought the milk hauling business. How stuff changes. I plan on getting out some this year. Heck I'd be out already If I wasn't still hunting. Getting my ass kicked on getting a doe In front of me right now.
I'm waiting for Lake Erie to get 8" to 12" thick before I head out but with the temps we've had the last couple weeks it should be just about there...I hope anyway!
Fished the "Dead Sea" all day Saturday with big bait waiting for one of those elusive 40"+ pike, and got no takers. One of these days........ Headed out for 2 hours on Sunday at a local puddle that I'd done well in open water. Managed to get 5 flags in 2 hours, and landed 3 of the fish. Nothing huge, all 25"-30"......I've got tomorrow off work and have a bucket full of bigger bait in the truck, going to try a new spot tomorrow that is stocked with Tiger Musky's, and also has some larger pike.
Had a Dr's appt this morning, and decided to take the day off and head to the hard water. Tried a new lake that the state has stocked heavily for a long time with Tiger Musky's. One flag, and a 34" pike.
Nice slime rockets Matt! Do you eat them at all? Boiled northern is one of my favorites. I'll be heading out Friday on a new lake to locate some Crappies. Should be fun.....cold, but fun.
What does getting a flag mean...not much chance to ice fish just west of Atlanta, therfore I am very ignorant to the terms you guys are using.
