Made it out for the first time today. Didnt get out until 230 but it was nice getting out there. Went out and fished 12ft. in between the 1st 2 islands and ended up with around 30 fish. Mixed bag of crappie, gills and perch. Almost all the fish came between 445 and 6pm. Caught them all about 1 ft. off the bottom. caught them on jigs that I make in gold and in glow. They wouldnt bite on maggots or plastics but would eat the waxworms. Never really marked any suspended fish.The ice was 5 in where I was at. I must caution everyone that while I spudded my way out the main trail I hit thru with 1 good hit 3 different times. The first spot was on the trail out due west of the first island and the other 2 times were within the next hundred yards. I forgot to put the strap on my spud around my wrist and the 3rd time it went thru it went right to the bottom of the lake. If anybody snags a green 2 piece spud please let me know. I loved that spud. lol. I will be back sometime tomorrow so if you see my black and orange otter flip over come up and say hi. Good luck to you all and please be safe.

I was looking thru some ice fishing gear on ebay and came across this shanty. Its a frabill commando for 149.99 plus 85 shipping for a total of 235. If you look at most places they are 299 plus shipping. Im sure you can get all the specs on the frabill website. I have never bought from this seller so I can not guarantee anything. I just figured if any of you are looking for a 1 man flip over for a good price you may want to check it out. Im sure once we start getting closer to ice on the prices will go up.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200748409383?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_1454wt_905

I am proud to announce that my wife gave birth yesterday to another beautiful baby boy yesterday morning. His name is Wyatt Matthew Smith. He was 6 lb. 8 oz. and 19 in. He is definitely a keeper. One of the first things my 2 yr old son asked was if we could take him fishing. I couldnt be more proud of the fact that I am a father again and the fact that my older son already loves fishing as much as I do. I cant wait until I can get them both out we me. There are a ton of great days ahead of us and we just getting started. God has truly blessed us.

This topic has been moved to Ice Safety!!!.

http://www.icefishohio.com/index.php?topic=8311.0

I only had enough time earlier this afternoon to stop at Mogadore at Palm rd. There is about 1 inch of white ice. Looks like all the snow we got froze while it was making ice. I seen no clear ice there. I stopped at Wingfoot not to long ago on my home. I only checked at the deep water ramp and there was 1 -2 inchs of ice. The ice looked alot better then at Mogadore. I will check again in a few days.

Im curious to see what all of you normally target during hardwater. Please vote then tell us where you normally fish and and what you fish for most.

Fished the docks today with the ice gear with little to show. Caught 1 carp with a gold vib-e. Was surprised when I brought it up that it was hooked in the mouth and not snagged. It ran about 15 lbs. Also got 2 white bass and I actually caught a minnow somehow.lol 

I just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Also thanks to Dave for this great website that I have enjoyed over the last few seasons. I am also grateful for all of the great friends I have met here and to God who most years gives us great ice to fish on. I am also thankful for my family and my great wife who lets my ice fish 24/7 without giving me problems about it. Now that I think about it she is probably thankful for ice fishing as it gets me out of the house and out of her hair. A big thanks goes out to the men and women of our military that put there lives on the line day in and day out protecting us and our freedoms. Thank you to everyone and I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving.