Ice Fishing 23-24
- Thread starter Amarok
- Start date
Weird for sure.
We had a bit of snow, but it's pretty much gone. There has been very, very little precipitation here since July. March is usually the best month for ice fishing, but I'm okay with a blizzard all month if that what it takes to get some moisture.
I haven't looked under the tarp for months. The air pump is running, but I don't know if the line froze or not. Basically decided to forget it exists until Spring. 🤷♂️
Went out for the afternoon again today. Had a plan and changed my mind when I reached the highway. I went back to where I was Friday and had almost a carbon copy day.
I think I actually caught more pike today than Friday(and I caught a bunch Friday). Nothing huge, and the biggest one (estimated low thirties in length) wrapped around the camera and spit the hook at the hole as I fought it and the cam. I saw plenty of wallies today but couldn't catch any. Saw a fair number of disinterested perch as well.
I took the big tent and the big heater and had a lovely relaxing afternoon in a soft fall of snow. I had to pin it going up the slightly slick hill leaving the lake, but that was the only bit of stress.
I think I actually caught more pike today than Friday(and I caught a bunch Friday). Nothing huge, and the biggest one (estimated low thirties in length) wrapped around the camera and spit the hook at the hole as I fought it and the cam. I saw plenty of wallies today but couldn't catch any. Saw a fair number of disinterested perch as well.
I took the big tent and the big heater and had a lovely relaxing afternoon in a soft fall of snow. I had to pin it going up the slightly slick hill leaving the lake, but that was the only bit of stress.
and various shovels and slings and axes and mechanical devices to help if I get stuck.
And spare fluids, and a tire pump, and extra battery if I need a boost, and a change of clothes, and all sorts of crap.
I'm on my own in this world. I don't expect anyone's help (used to, learned better). I try to balance taking chances with preparation and caution, and will let it ride until I hit snake-eyes.
I was a wimp this afternoon. Went to a lake where the only iffy hill was on the way in, so if I couldn't make it I could just go home, and then parked on shore rather than drive on the fresh snow on the lake.
Set up on a point with a steep drop-off after hopping around and catching a few between 5 and 24 fow. Fished until dark in ~14 ft and caught probably 15 or so pike. Measured a couple that were around 25" and had something that felt heavy pick up the big smelt on the deadstick and peel a bunch of line. It dropped it a few seconds after I tried to set the hook.
Packed up at dusk and drove home in the dark. Luckily no critters chose to cross the road. It's been a good winter for that. I've had to dodge moose a couple times over the previous few winters and I can do without that experience.
Set up on a point with a steep drop-off after hopping around and catching a few between 5 and 24 fow. Fished until dark in ~14 ft and caught probably 15 or so pike. Measured a couple that were around 25" and had something that felt heavy pick up the big smelt on the deadstick and peel a bunch of line. It dropped it a few seconds after I tried to set the hook.
Packed up at dusk and drove home in the dark. Luckily no critters chose to cross the road. It's been a good winter for that. I've had to dodge moose a couple times over the previous few winters and I can do without that experience.
belleswell
In Bloom
It was 58 degrees F here today, which for my northern friends is 14.44 C. I'm calling the season over here as ice is disappearing fast. Our pond is now 2/3 open and what little ice is left is definitely not safe. I welcome the early spring, although I hope it does not prompt our fruit trees to bud early only to be dealt a death blow by a late snow/ice storm.
We are about 2 months away from the walleyes that will run the Detroit river. Perch also make a spawning run in the spring to the same spots. Good times and easy limits.
Keep drilling them holes while you can Amarok and ice some keepers for the table. Especially perch which are my favorite eating fish.
We are about 2 months away from the walleyes that will run the Detroit river. Perch also make a spawning run in the spring to the same spots. Good times and easy limits.
Keep drilling them holes while you can Amarok and ice some keepers for the table. Especially perch which are my favorite eating fish.
I've seen a few ice-fishermen already in their boats down there. It's been a fucky season for you guys for sure.
Here it's business as normal, with only a couple week delay to start the season back in November.
I'll be going hard until the season ends on March 31.
-20 this morning.
I was planning to go to the burbot-only lake today, but then I thought to check last year's notes. I started about this time last year and it was still early. I spent a few long days with very little action. Gonna give it least one more week.
Time to re-think. It's Saturday, the lakes will be way busier, so I have to pick a place that I hope will be quiet. Maybe just back to one of the easy local pike spots where there's the odd burb appearance and have a lazy fun day.
I was planning to go to the burbot-only lake today, but then I thought to check last year's notes. I started about this time last year and it was still early. I spent a few long days with very little action. Gonna give it least one more week.
Time to re-think. It's Saturday, the lakes will be way busier, so I have to pick a place that I hope will be quiet. Maybe just back to one of the easy local pike spots where there's the odd burb appearance and have a lazy fun day.
That is a beast!
Almost all my big winter pike came in March in shallow water. A lot of them were on tiny spoons. The big girls get lazy before spawn and are happy to cruise around slurping up easy meals.
We can only have 2 lines here and I get bored watching for flags, so I don't do much tip-up fishing.
I didn't leave home until noon and drove to a nearby pike lake. I drove on and went ~120 yards to a point, parked and started scouting. First thing I saw was a bunch of these. That is a size 10-1/2 baffin titan boot, hugely oversized, and a big moose track.
From the rear foot to where the front foot stepped was 7 or 8 feet. I tried to get a pic of the stride but failed(had fish to catch). It looked like it had started out on the ice when I arrived, heard me and did a u-turn.
It was one of those steady days. The odd flurry, the odd dead stretch, but neither lasted long. Once again lost something decent on the deadstick but mostly it was 20-25 inch pike.
Had them hang around a couple times while I was re-rigging. IIRC I finally grabbed this one and turned him around as he was happy to hang out in the warm tent.
From the rear foot to where the front foot stepped was 7 or 8 feet. I tried to get a pic of the stride but failed(had fish to catch). It looked like it had started out on the ice when I arrived, heard me and did a u-turn.
It was one of those steady days. The odd flurry, the odd dead stretch, but neither lasted long. Once again lost something decent on the deadstick but mostly it was 20-25 inch pike.
Had them hang around a couple times while I was re-rigging. IIRC I finally grabbed this one and turned him around as he was happy to hang out in the warm tent.
I can't entice a walleye bite these days.
Saw plenty of 'eyes, lots of wee perch, and caught a wack of pike. Largest was a bit over 27".
The theme for the day was wrap-arounds. Brought the deadstick line up the jigging hole and vice versa, plus a couple runs around the camera cable. No serious snarls, I was able to get everything untangled without cutting lines or losing much time.
No surgery, no deep hook-takes at all; I don't even think I bled, for a change. Managed to melt a line on the heater as I was getting ready to leave, but only lost a jig and minnow.
Made it up the slick, windy hill to the main road where it was clear and dry, and near the top of the valley saw one of the vehicles that had left maybe 5 minutes before me. He had put it over the side of the almost vertical embankment but the trees had kept him from going far. Another truck had already stopped to help and it looked like everyone was okay. I pulled alongside the second truck but it seemed they had things under control and didn't wave me down, so on I went. Given the good traction at that point, I'm guessing he was texting, as there was no reason for an attentive driver to have left the road(could have been an animal).
There's a month and a half left in the season. Last year I got out on the ice 50 times. Should at least match that this year. No, you're the one who's obsessed. 🤪
Saw plenty of 'eyes, lots of wee perch, and caught a wack of pike. Largest was a bit over 27".
The theme for the day was wrap-arounds. Brought the deadstick line up the jigging hole and vice versa, plus a couple runs around the camera cable. No serious snarls, I was able to get everything untangled without cutting lines or losing much time.
No surgery, no deep hook-takes at all; I don't even think I bled, for a change. Managed to melt a line on the heater as I was getting ready to leave, but only lost a jig and minnow.
Made it up the slick, windy hill to the main road where it was clear and dry, and near the top of the valley saw one of the vehicles that had left maybe 5 minutes before me. He had put it over the side of the almost vertical embankment but the trees had kept him from going far. Another truck had already stopped to help and it looked like everyone was okay. I pulled alongside the second truck but it seemed they had things under control and didn't wave me down, so on I went. Given the good traction at that point, I'm guessing he was texting, as there was no reason for an attentive driver to have left the road(could have been an animal).
There's a month and a half left in the season. Last year I got out on the ice 50 times. Should at least match that this year. No, you're the one who's obsessed. 🤪
Going to try for burbot tomorrow. Can't wait any longer.
Car is fueled and mostly loaded(leaving electrical stuff inside to keep batteries warm and boots inside to keep feet warm )
Picked up a couple new toys on winter clearout to replace ancient stuff, and looking forward to field testing it. My 15+ year old Buddy heater finally died so I grabbed a new one at 1/3 off, and my uninsulated 8x8 tent is going to disintegrate any day so I grabbed a 6x6 at almost 40% off. Both the old units have given me many years of service and more than paid for themselves. I hope the new ones last as long.
The new tent is much lighter than the insulated one I have of the same dimensions(50lbs vs 30lbs) and much less bulky when packed. I figured there was no point getting another 8x8 when I have the big 5 sided, insulated unit for days I want to sprawl, if I'm fishing with someone, or if I'm ice camping.
So if keeping score at home, I have:
-old beater 8x8
-insulated 6x6
-uninsulated 6x6
- 75sq ft 5 sided
-homebuilt collapsible shack on skis for the most extreme cold and wind.
I've used them all this winter except the last one, as it's been mild enough it hasn't been needed.
Having the space to have and store specialized equipment is just one more thing I love about my life out here in the sticks.
Car is fueled and mostly loaded(leaving electrical stuff inside to keep batteries warm and boots inside to keep feet warm
)Picked up a couple new toys on winter clearout to replace ancient stuff, and looking forward to field testing it. My 15+ year old Buddy heater finally died so I grabbed a new one at 1/3 off, and my uninsulated 8x8 tent is going to disintegrate any day so I grabbed a 6x6 at almost 40% off. Both the old units have given me many years of service and more than paid for themselves. I hope the new ones last as long.
The new tent is much lighter than the insulated one I have of the same dimensions(50lbs vs 30lbs) and much less bulky when packed. I figured there was no point getting another 8x8 when I have the big 5 sided, insulated unit for days I want to sprawl, if I'm fishing with someone, or if I'm ice camping.
So if keeping score at home, I have:
-old beater 8x8
-insulated 6x6
-uninsulated 6x6
- 75sq ft 5 sided
-homebuilt collapsible shack on skis for the most extreme cold and wind.
I've used them all this winter except the last one, as it's been mild enough it hasn't been needed.
Having the space to have and store specialized equipment is just one more thing I love about my life out here in the sticks.
Ramjet159
pHeno pHisher
Great pics mate . Looks so calm yet I’m sure it can turn brutal quickly . Much like the OceanShortly after I arrived a little blizzard blew through and made the world disappear.
Luckily it had returned by the time I left.
Ramjet159
pHeno pHisher
Good luck 👊🏻Going to try for burbot tomorrow. Can't wait any longer.
Car is fueled and mostly loaded(leaving electrical stuff inside to keep batteries warm and boots inside to keep feet warm
Picked up a couple new toys on winter clearout to replace ancient stuff, and looking forward to field testing it. My 15+ year old Buddy heater finally died so I grabbed a new one at 1/3 off, and my uninsulated 8x8 tent is going to disintegrate any day so I grabbed a 6x6 at almost 40% off. Both the old units have given me many years of service and more than paid for themselves. I hope the new ones last as long.
The new tent is much lighter than the insulated one I have of the same dimensions(50lbs vs 30lbs) and much less bulky when packed. I figured there was no point getting another 8x8 when I have the big 5 sided, insulated unit for days I want to sprawl, if I'm fishing with someone, or if I'm ice camping.
So if keeping score at home, I have:
-old beater 8x8
-insulated 6x6
-uninsulated 6x6
- 75sq ft 5 sided
-homebuilt collapsible shack on skis for the most extreme cold and wind.
I've used them all this winter except the last one, as it's been mild enough it hasn't been needed.
Having the space to have and store specialized equipment is just one more thing I love about my life out here in the sticks.
Sometimes, but not often. I always bring 2 or 3 mugs of tea and/or a thermos, and once in a while I bring some leftovers to heat up, or a can of soup or something else easy. Usually though, I just eat shortly before I leave and go without while fishing.
I'm so engaged while on the ice I usually don't even go through much weed. I always take it, along with a couple ways to consume(dynavaps and the AirMax), but most of it makes the trip home.
Thank you, sir.
Yeah, a snowstorm can blow in and cause a whiteout really fast. No waves to contend with, but it can still get a little scary. The trail you followed out disappears under the snow, everything is white, up looks the same as down.
GPS makes it easier to get back to shore, but back in the day you could easily get completely disoriented and lost.
