This weekend should be great everywhere. I will be going to West Mansfield conservation club lake tomorrow. Today, besides this bass, I caught a lot of small gills and had a big takedown and when I set the hook, it broke the 4 lb line. I love the ice hopper inline reel with a line guide and trigger drop!
« Last post by toadfish on January 10, 2025, 06:15:28 AM »
Got out and drill a hole on the open lake on the north side about center of the lake east/west about 20 yards out and had 3 3/4" of good clear ice. Talked to a fisherman on a shaded, wind protected channel and he said there was about 8". Be careful if you get out and spud your way out and back, have your ice cleats and picks.
« Last post by columbusfire on January 09, 2025, 06:31:56 PM »
I broke the ice.....pun intended. 10 inch gill. I got bit all day but only about 5 hooksets. Must have been a lot of dinks down there. Used a very small jig.
« Last post by Banker on January 07, 2025, 09:16:47 AM »
It is time to order red spikes online- you can get 500 and they will last you for the season- if you live near a local bait shop encourage them to get these so you can help support a local business.
Red spikes offer benefits over traditional wax worms when in high or low pressure systems as they offer up a lively low profile option for bluegill and crappie and even Saugeye and Bass feeling the mid winter blues. Some anglers in Northern states have more varieties than simply white or red spikes and choose blue or chartreuse- but for Team USA / veterans came to tryouts with red spikes and lots of them as they mimic blood worms a luxury food source for pan fish that overseas is what we fish with on the tiniest of setups.
My shipment arrives on Thursday- they ideally need to stay around 40 degrees to keep them from freezing completely and turning black or coming out of dormancy and turning into black flies (has happened to me).
« Last post by columbusfire on January 05, 2025, 03:32:45 PM »
I too am wondering if the snow might blanket the ice and keep it from getting thick enough. My little pond is at 2 inches as of Sunday, 1/5/25. I hope to get out this Thursday thru Sunday and maybe beyond.
« Last post by ice hole 2 on January 02, 2025, 02:15:46 AM »
The latest forecast calls for super cold temps. Starting 3 Jan. thru much of Feb., no temps. much above freezing. Looks like a good ice fishing season coming soon!! But don't rush it! The ice will be here for a while. REMEMBER - SPUD ON AND SPUD OFF!!!
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