Hard water

[Barlow]

While in the basement last night dinkin' around and organising stuff I couldn't stop myself from getting distracted by my ice fishing junk... yea it's coming like it or not! <br /><br />As I was replacing the mono leaders and sharpening hooks on my perch tip-ups I thought about posting about this. <br /><br />I was wondering who and how many Ice-fisherman we have here?<br /><br />To those of you that do:<br /><br />- What is your favorite species to target and how do you strategize (if you do) your outing?<br /><br />- Tip-ups, jig rods, rattle reels, etcetera. What are your favorite methods, baits and such?<br /><br />- "Run -n- Gun", "Sit -N- Wait"? -OR- <br /><br />Do you go just to get out of the house to drink beer and talk smart with the guys?

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: Hard water

Hard water nut here. Mostly target rainbow and lake trout. When I bring the kids, we target yellow and white perch, pickerel, bass and northern pike...lotsa flags keep the younguns happy.<br /><br />I usually put out 5 tip-ups and jig one hole. I also put out 6 burbot (cusk) lines. When we fish the tourneys we run and gun, but most days just hang out in the shack and grill up the bounty from the fall hunting seasons. <br /><br />As far as strategies, knowing the lake bottom from running over it a million times in the spring and summer with the boat helps a lot. We fish 1-6' of water for the bows and steep drop-offs for the lakers around 60'. Bait is usually emerald or redfin shiners hooked through the tail, and jigging bucktail jigs topped with cut suckers.<br /><br />Beer is a given on the ice

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Hard water

the hard part is knowing the right amount of beer<br />to keep outside and be able to drink it before it<br />freezes <br />99% sure wife won't accept MY invite to fish with<br />frigid temps, so use imagination...

 

[rolmops]

Re: Hard water

I love going to Burlington and visit my Vermont fishing friend's shanty.He has a stove in there.On sunny days we keep the shanty dark and that way the water gets to be real clear and light.<br />The hole we use is about 12 by 24 and four of us sit inside this little tent.We used to smoke Vermont green and drink ginger brandy.Now that we found out that the green is illegal we only drink brandy.Many a happy hour is spent in that shanty.We mostly catch yellow perch,mainly using eyes for bait.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Hard water

Used to ice fish. <br />Dad used to have a place on Winnebago. So it was a 4 mile ride out to the shanty city, then tipups for walleye.<br /><br />Fished on plenty of lakes around the state, but never did as well as on Winnebago.<br /><br />Don't go much anymore, prefer to stay warm.

 

[John_S]

Re: Hard water

Years ago did allot of ice fishing (Oneida & Delta Lakes), with my dad. Mainly for walleyes, and set out max number of tip-ups, and I usually had a jigging hole. <br /><br />Currently, just go out once or twice a season. Sometimes just use two jigging holes, and you would call me a fair weather ice fishermen, as well.

 

[fire831]

Re: Hard water

Love to ice fish. Fish mainly for bluegill and crappie. Use glow jigs tipped with spikes,or beemoths. Like to use a vexilar flasher, it works good for showing depth and where fish are and also will show your jig so you can raise or lower your bait to where the fish are. Can't wait to get out.

 

[cjones4@hvc.rr.com]

Re: Hard water

Me and my dad ice fish every chance we get. Usually set out 5 tip ups with medium shiners and use one jig pole. We mainly catch yellow perch and pickeral. After the success I had decarbing my old Evinrude this summer - I can't wait to try the Seafoam on my power auger this winter.

 

[TELMANMN]

Re: Hard water

When young and foolish used to stand outside, in a portable, or zip around the lake with a snowmobile and portable. <br /> Now that I am old and foolish, I sit in a nice warm fish house with satelite tv, stereo, underwater camera, a barley pop(once and a while) and the roast cooks on the stove. <br /> As it is said, "someone has to do it.".

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Hard water

I am like rodge. I go for crappie and bluegill using eurolarva and very small ice jigs. My favorite lure is a tiny rapala for jigging. You guys posting here are making me jealous. Here in minnesota we can only have two lines in the ice and one in the summer .

 

[PAkev]

Re: Hard water

I fish hardwater as a "Cabin Fever" remedy. It is also a good opportunity to get on some lakes that boats are not allowed on during the open water season. Mostly catch trout on the lakes I fish here in PA.<br /><br />I usually rig up up a few tip ups with live bait and jig with one pole. I have rigged a little sled with a coleman stove to cook food, ie. kielbasi, hot dogs, venison sausage, etc. to pass the time between hook ups. <br /><br />I've also seen some guys that bring their golf clubs and archery targets to pass the time while fishing the hard water.<br /><br />Kevin

 

[Barlow]

Re: Hard water

WOW!... we do have a few that venture out on ice.<br /><br />very cool!<br /><br />Looks like we're going to have some ice adventures to shoot the breeze about this winter!!<br /><br />For me it all depends on the company (if any) and where I'm going.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Hard water

Hey barlow. Minnesota has a big JC fund raiser in January. Last year it broke the world record for the amount of people in a fishing contest. I believe it was like 17000. It is on Gull Lake up by brainard. Let me know if you are interested in going. Maybe we can meet and go together.

 

[Barlow]

Re: Hard water

euro - sounds like a good time tho not my cup of tea .. 17,000 people on the ice seems nutso .. <br /><br />but, I'll look into it on the web here ..

 

[KaGee]

Re: Hard water

No hard water for me... too dangerous on Lake Erie. Every year there is always at least one "mass rescue" for people stuck on an ice flow.

 

[Barlow]

Re: Hard water

I hear that KaGee .. the past few years I've passed on fishing Lake Michigan's Bay side off of the Door peninsula on the reefs for walleye because the ice has been either non-existant, inconsistant or plain ole crazy.<br /><br />I don't drive the truck out on the ice ... heck the chance alone isn't even worth it. It's either a four wheeler or the old ski-do when going out.<br /><br />and 'first ice' - yikes! - forget it. Some guys ask for trouble.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Hard water

Most people do not realize that even if the ice is thick, wind and currents on the big lakes can create these ice flows in a heartbeat. <br /><br />Another thing, you get caught on an ice flow and have to be rescued, kiss your belongings goodbye!<br />The only thing boarding that helicopter is you and nothing else. And... adding insult to injury... you have to pay to have your car/truck/snowmobile rescued or salvaged... if they survive the scavengers. It can be very costly! EPA will not allow you to just leave it on the lake bottom.

 

[mountainboy]

Re: Hard water

Ice fishing is a great time! I fish for rainbow trout, kokanee and yellow perch. Usually I use a slip bobber rig with wax worm, fireballs or spoons, jigs. My portable fishfinder helps a lot . Anglers in NM can use 2 poles max. unless I bring along my little boy. Then we have a 3rd pole. Sitting with friends on the ice having some drinks is great!