Ice Fishing 23-24
- Thread starter Amarok
- Start date
Bullfrog
In Bloom
Get heem!
Home safe.
Had a herd of deer in one ditch and later a pair of moose on the other side to keep me alert on the drive home, but they all stayed off the road.
Final count on my clicker was 38. Started fishing around 1:30 and packed up a little after 5:30, so I consider that a pretty productive afternoon.
Man, I love the burbot spawn.
Brought home 3 in the 24-25 inch range for the plate and the rest were released. I'll post some pics later.
Had a herd of deer in one ditch and later a pair of moose on the other side to keep me alert on the drive home, but they all stayed off the road.
Final count on my clicker was 38. Started fishing around 1:30 and packed up a little after 5:30, so I consider that a pretty productive afternoon.
Man, I love the burbot spawn.Brought home 3 in the 24-25 inch range for the plate and the rest were released. I'll post some pics later.
Bullfrog
In Bloom
Not your personal best day? Can't imagine catching that many in a few hours. Could see maybe getting into some perch like that but not burbot. Impressive from my point of view.Home safe.
Had a herd of deer in one ditch and later a pair of moose on the other side to keep me alert on the drive home, but they all stayed off the road.
Final count on my clicker was 38. Started fishing around 1:30 and packed up a little after 5:30, so I consider that a pretty productive afternoon.
Brought home 3 in the 24-25 inch range for the plate and the rest were released. I'll post some pics later.
A few fantastic feasts:
These fish are so strong, and the smaller ones like to roll while being handled. Had one do a spin and get me with one of the hooks. That'll teach me to brag about the pike not getting me last time.
A wipe with an alcohol swab and bandaged up asap and it's already looking good by the time I got home.
My favorite ice fishing time is right now. Going to chase burbs a few more times and also hope to get into a big momma pike or two as well. My long-time go-to big pike lake is west of Edmonton, and I'm up North now, so I need to do some exploring and find some new spots.
These fish are so strong, and the smaller ones like to roll while being handled. Had one do a spin and get me with one of the hooks. That'll teach me to brag about the pike not getting me last time.
A wipe with an alcohol swab and bandaged up asap and it's already looking good by the time I got home.
Not sure, I usually don't bother keeping track. During the spawn it can be insane though.
My favorite ice fishing time is right now. Going to chase burbs a few more times and also hope to get into a big momma pike or two as well. My long-time go-to big pike lake is west of Edmonton, and I'm up North now, so I need to do some exploring and find some new spots.
I'm so happy I made the effort to get out yesterday, cold, windy and sickly or not. March is coming in like a lion, with cold, wind and snow for the first week. Wednesday is the next decent forecast though I may not wait quite that long.
Yesterday was just too much fun. I was still setting up when the action started. I had the deadstick down and was bringing gear into the tent when I saw a high mark on the sonar. I reeled up and worked the jig briefly before the first fish of the day latched on.
Released him and looked at the camera to see another one on bottom. Got the lure down as he passed and he turned around and slammed the jig. Landed the first keeper of the day and saw 2 more on the camera. Quickly dropped down and hooked fish number three and let out an involuntary giggle, followed by a whoop of joy.
Yesterday was just too much fun. I was still setting up when the action started. I had the deadstick down and was bringing gear into the tent when I saw a high mark on the sonar. I reeled up and worked the jig briefly before the first fish of the day latched on.
Released him and looked at the camera to see another one on bottom. Got the lure down as he passed and he turned around and slammed the jig. Landed the first keeper of the day and saw 2 more on the camera. Quickly dropped down and hooked fish number three and let out an involuntary giggle, followed by a whoop of joy.
Currently -28 with a -37 windchill at the weather station nearest the burb lake. Supposed to be -16 (-24wc) by noon.
Up to -3 tomorrow, but I don't want to wait another day. Going to spend this afternoon on the ice.
After today it will be time to downsize to close out the season. The worst cold is done and most trips between now and end of month will be run and gun in the sun.
No heater, no big tent, won't even use a tent most days.
This last cold stretch has been nasty, but from here out it should be a blast.
Up to -3 tomorrow, but I don't want to wait another day. Going to spend this afternoon on the ice.
After today it will be time to downsize to close out the season. The worst cold is done and most trips between now and end of month will be run and gun in the sun.
No heater, no big tent, won't even use a tent most days.
This last cold stretch has been nasty, but from here out it should be a blast.
Ramjet159
pHeno pHisher
Was standard issue for many years out on the harbour at night . Fanging around in the dark with a bong sitting on the dashboard of the boat .
Dunno how I managed to see more than 50 ft but we survived . Used to love getting totally baked and firing up the hunting fish senses to another level . It’s the harbour of grown up in so even at night I have a pretty good bearing on where most hazards are . No guarantees though . One night my mate and I were pacing along through the day at high speed along the coast thinking we had it all under control when out of the blue a big steel floating marker the local yacht club used to lay out a race course shot down the side of the hull about 2-3 meters off . Now at high speed at night in a huge bay to miss something that probably would have sunk us if not killed us by only meters is a pretty damn lucky night .
Lesson learnt .
There’s an unwritten law of the sea which goes you should be able to stop your boat in half the distance you can see .
Ramjet159
pHeno pHisher
I just had dinner outside tonight and the temp gauge read 20C . Tomorrow it’ll be 29C during the day . By the weekend it’s forecast to hit the mid 30s . Summer going out with a bangCurrently -28 with a -37 windchill at the weather station nearest the burb lake. Supposed to be -16 (-24wc) by noon.
Up to -3 tomorrow, but I don't want to wait another day. Going to spend this afternoon on the ice.
After today it will be time to downsize to close out the season. The worst cold is done and most trips between now and end of month will be run and gun in the sun.
No heater, no big tent, won't even use a tent most days.
This last cold stretch has been nasty, but from here out it should be a blast.
Ramjet159
pHeno pHisher
Cool stuff to scout the fish on the bottom as you fish . Love the idea 👍🏼. I so need one of them . May I ask what the brand is ?
Jewels
Tilts at Tables
Indeed,,
And I was going to ask, what were those fish up to in the photo? Were they forging for food, or were they interacting with each other?
Mine is a Vexilar, but Aqua-Vu is probably the best-known and longest established brand.
You can learn so much from watching fish behaviour, you can trigger strikes, pull away from unwanted species or small fish. Even just identifying exactly what species is down there not biting can be useful.
This time of year burbot are in full Conan the Barbarian mode. They want to fight, eat, or fuck everything they encounter. They will follow each other around, they will form up into "orgy balls", they will molest the camera, they will rub all over the jig before biting. It's very entertaining to watch.
In the first underwater pic, you can see my minnow balanced on the nose of one of the burb, as he's about to chomp it.
Jewels
Tilts at Tables
I believe it.
So much (but not enough) time I have spent watching my fish doing their fish stuff.
As interesting as my garden is, it just stands there most of the time.
Ramjet159
pHeno pHisher
I wanna be reincarnated as a Burbot . I sense their lifestyle could suite me except maybe the fight bit but I guess no pain no gain so I’d be willing to negotiate .
When I used to spearfish in the bay as a young fella you’d work out pretty quick the order of predator vs prey simply by which fish would flee as soon as they came into view and those that were happy to mingle until they thought you may be a threat .
The cormorants tend to feast on the smaller stuff while seals and sharks were willing to have a go at most things . Seals look hilarious when they nail a large Octopus . Tentacles and teeth flashing all over the place . It’s a bold move to take on a large Octopus . Those things look evil and are also extremely smart .
You grab one and you think it’s all under control . Next minute it’s got hold of you and is drawing your closest body part towards its beak . No shit I was bordering on panic one day walking along the rocks and my retriever and I thought it was a good idea to take one one hunting along the edge . Bad move !!!
Even my dog was thinking what the fuck !
A burbot during spawn is kind of like an Aussie on holiday.
