Ice Fishing 24-25

[Amarok]

Based on historical patterns, I'm still 6 or 7 weeks from walkable ice but I've been mentally getting ready for a while. Been tweaking my setup and it's coming together nicely. I'll get some pics of the new sled load-out shortly.

In the meantime, here's a study on my favorite hardwater target. Not a lot is known about these fish, so I'm thrilled anytime I find research.

 

[Bodean]

Sweet!

 

[Mr Jay]

" A quick plunge into icy water in the middle of winter with the nearest helping hand miles distant, is a sobering consideration for any frost-bitten sailor.

The Detroit Ice Yachting Club has fostered one of the more exclusive organizations in the world - the Hell Divers. To be eligible, a yachtsman merely has to take the plunge and survive to tell the story."

Ice Yachting Winter Sailboats Hit More Than 100 m.p.h. By John A. Carroll

Editor's note: The following text was originally published in an undated published booklet "Ice Yachting Winter Sailboats Hit More Than 100 m.p..h.. by John A. Carroll with additional information...

www.hrmm.org

 

[rkymtnman]

so this is my vision of proper ice fishing techniques.

 

[Amarok]

Went burbing again with my gal yesterday.
The spawn is getting going, but isn't in full swing yet. A couple of the ones we kept were skinny and spawned out, though on the camera we mostly saw single fish with little spawning behaviour.

After making last trip's priority getting my friend her first burb, I was back to trying to catch this time while still teaching and helping. I appreciate that she was the one who realized and pointed out the difference experience makes. Rather than being pouty or sad, she grokked that fishing is indeed an activity that rewards skill and isn't just luck.

Our lures were no more than 5 feet apart and very similar to each other. I ended up in double digits and she caught 1. I was hoping she'd get more but she was fine with it and it made her want to get better. Hearing her enthusiasm when one appeared on cam was gratifying.

My kid invited me for a visit next weekend, but totally understood when I said that it may get pushed back a week or two. OF COURSE my child understands the significance of the burtbot spawn.

 

[Amarok]

Some great footage of the burb spawn in Wisconsin:

 

[Amarok]

Caught a few dozen of these today.

 

[Amarok]

Going gator chasing in the morning. This time of year the big momma pike will be coming shallow to get ready to spawn and I have a spot I want to try.
Some of my biggest pike through the ice have come at this time of year, often on tiny little spoons less than an inch long, as the big girls cruise the shallows, sucking in easy meals. Best part is if you find one, you often find a few. I've had 100 pound+ days multiple times, and it's pretty damn fun.

I'll have to remember to switch out the 8" auger for the 10 inch. It isn't likely I'll get anything that won't fit up an 8 inch hole, but when trying to get a big girl to turn that big beak up, the extra room can make a big difference.

Still well over 30 inches of ice. It's safe to drive, though tomorrow I'll be hauling my gear , since the access point is sketchy. I'd rather haul gear than have the possibility of getting stuck while driving off in the back of my mind all day.

 

[Bullfrog]

Going gator chasing in the morning. This time of year the big momma pike will be coming shallow to get ready to spawn and I have a spot I want to try.
Some of my biggest pike through the ice have come at this time of year, often on tiny little spoons less than an inch long, as the big girls cruise the shallows, sucking in easy meals. Best part is if you find one, you often find a few. I've had 100 pound+ days multiple times, and it's pretty damn fun.

I'll have to remember to switch out the 8" auger for the 10 inch. It isn't likely I'll get anything that won't fit up an 8 inch hole, but when trying to get a big girl to turn that big beak up, the extra room can make a big difference.

Still well over 30 inches of ice. It's safe to drive, though tomorrow I'll be hauling my gear , since the access point is sketchy. I'd rather haul gear than have the possibility of getting stuck while driving off in the back of my mind all day.

Sounds like a blast dude. Hope you get some pigs. If the lady is going hopefully, she'll hook up too.

My best pike day on the ice was in the spring when the shore was going. Got 3 that were between 28 and 33 inches, 5-6 feet of water. From a lake where about 1 out of 5 is the legal 24". Also got a 16-inch perch that same day, thing was 2 pounds, still the biggest I've ever gotten. Those days when big fish are feeding are a blast.

 

[Amarok]

Sounds like a blast dude. Hope you get some pigs. If the lady is going hopefully, she'll hook up too.

My best pike day on the ice was in the spring when the shore was going. Got 3 that were between 28 and 33 inches, 5-6 feet of water. From a lake where about 1 out of 5 is the legal 24". Also got a 16-inch perch that same day, thing was 2 pounds, still the biggest I've ever gotten. Those days when big fish are feeding are a blast.

Thanks, man. Ten days left in the season so I want to go hard.

Going solo tomorrow. This will be serious fishing, with big, mean, toothy prey, as opposed to sitting in the tent catching burbs that have teeth like velcro, where the worst danger is becoming an unwilling star in a bukake scene.
I don't want to have to worry about a rookie getting chomped or having a big treble hook lodged in a body part. Tomorrow is just about me and the pike (and possibly burbot, perch or whitefish).