had a muskrat pop up in my hole the other day. i didn't think much about it. had it happen years ago, he came up between my feet, and startle me some. the other day, i was in my shack, and he came up in my deadstick hole, i didn't think much about it. fishing a farm pond, i pulled a 3" bluegill and had a 4-5 lb. bass come halfway out of the hole after it. anyone else?

fought the ice to get to work this morning. checked my phone to see see what might have gone wrong. my oldest daughter informed me that my youngest daughter had her baby. i knew it was coming, but was due next week. no details yet on length, girth, or weight, but a trophy in my book. 11 grandkids, damn i feel old.

it seems like everyone is struggling to catch fish, (myself included).they say first and last ice are the best fishing. here in ohio, that is often the same thing. i've seen seasons that only last a week. this year we got ice early, and hopefully will stay for a while yet. it's gotta get better. 2 years ago i went to hubbard lake michigan to try and get some of the 20 inch perch they have there. ( yes that's right!) went the 2nd week of febuary. they had ice right after thanksgiving, and lasts till march or april. worst time to go. met up with a local guy, and he said his dad only fished in march. fished 2 or 3 weeks a year, that was it. fished for a week, and caught 3 walleyes as long as my hand. my buddy lost a good one. the only fish we hooked. keep after 'em guys, it'll get better..... i hope.

thinking about going in the morning. hopefully early, depending on when i get home tonight.everyone's welcome.

i haven't seen it brought up yet, so i thought i'd say something about it. i read somewhere the number 1 injury to icefishermen was HEAD INJURIES from falling on ice. with the warm spell and rain, the ice is really slick. wear your cleats. we got a little snow today, but we had some wind so it may all blow off the ice. i've had my bell rung a couple times. luckily it was cold and i was wearing a trooper hat with my hood up. a warm day with my ball hat, it cold have been worse.

need some advice on this. my vex has served me faithfully. i've had it for a long time, still with the original battery. i was gonna get a new battery, but the ice came early, so i thought i'd use the old battery till after Christmas. fished a new lake yesterday for the first time. was pretty cold when i started, about 7 degrees, and i drilled holes looking for deep water. found a spot i thought i'd try, but only 9 feet deep. i had to use the  low power mode, (seldom do , usually fish 15- 20 fow). it would mark fish, but not my jig. i had to run the gain clear up. 100 % charge when i started. after about 4-5 hours, the charge light went to 50%. got home and was gonna let it warm up before i charged it for today, and in 1/2 hour, the battery gage said 100% charged. hooked it to the charger, charged it till the light came on, like the manual said. went out today, fished shallow water again on low power. it would mark fish, and big baits sometimes, pimples, jiggin raps, but small panfish jigs it wouldn't show. i can see how battery age can affect charge life, etc, but if i can mark fish and not my jig, am i having transducer issues?

saw ICE on the puddles going to work this morning.  time to get the gear ready!!