Season Ending Thoughts

icebucketjohn · **on:** February 20, 2011, 10:41:13 AM

With the end of our Ohio Ice Fishing Season in view, it's time for some reflection. It's been a great season meeting fellow icers in search of that elusive under-ice prey. the posts by fellow icers have kept my adrenilin up and gave me a boost to venture out into the cold when I shunned to do so.

The introduction of new gear including a new ice shanty (Clam Nanook), an ice suit (IDI Ice Amour) and new tackle made my icing experiences that much more enjoyable.

It felt great to meet other cold water fishing sportsman.. both young, old, male and female. Nice to know the winter sport continues in Ohio despite our erratic and short season in comparison to those in Minnesota or Wisconsin

Eventho my catches this year have been mostly disappointing, my opportunities to hit the ice were greater than years past.

There may be a few more weeks of decent ice, but I know in my heart the season is nearing it finale; when I start thinking of safety issues and ice conditions, it's time to lessen the hopes & anticipation of getting out too many more times.

My thoughts are gradually moving towards gardening & backpacking. Already I've visited Donzell's and purchased some seed & a bag of "Starter-Mix". (I'll start my peppers, tomato's, and some flowers in the basement in a month or so). Soon it'll be time to hook up the rain-barrels and start yard clean-up chores.

I've already planned a 3 day backpack trek in the 2nd week of April. Havent decided on the specific trail, but most assured, it'll be somewhere in Western or Central part Pennsylvania.

Since I'm strictly a "Hard-water fisherman", all my tackle will be put in storage in anticipation of next years ventures.

With only a time or two left, it's been an absolute wonderful season., but I still hope to make a nice catch with the last remaining holes I drill.

I'm sincerely indebted to all I met. it's been a blast

Thanks to all

snowcone · **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2011, 07:11:49 PM

happy trails but i feel sorta sad reading that u only fish hard water, for me the transition from hard water to soft seems like forever because the rivers are blown out and waiting to access fishable water is tough. shazam it seems like the last thouhgts on a jerry springer show ha ha ha

.... c ya next year.....

let it freeze · **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2011, 07:47:08 AM

Nice post icebucket.My ice days are over for the season as well.This has been a tough 1 all I caught was dinks not 1 keeper.But that is why it's called fishing not catching.For those that are still icen be carefull and don't forget your spudbars.

ice phisher · **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2011, 08:21:09 AM

Amazing how many friendships and lifes lessons learned and even problems solved......can be had.... while setting on a frozen lake.

megan66 · **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2011, 08:47:17 AM

Great ice season for me. Because it got to go out quite a few times.

Caught plenty of pan fish and 4 limits of saugeye this year.

Even though the saugeye bite was off, it helped me become a better fisherman,. I had to scout out new areas and change tactics quite a bit.

The standard saugeye VIBE lure did not produce well this season. 95% of my fish were caught on spoons, pimples being the best. Red and Gold being the colors of choice. Size 4 red being the very BEST producer.

My season is still going on . Ice fished Northfork last night. A good solid 5 to 7 " in some areas. There were 6 others fishing that area last night.
Thank you to this ice fishing site and all the other ice-fishermen and women that helped out this season.
May our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ bless you all.

Banker · **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2011, 09:17:11 AM

Amen. And you as well Megan.

davidhoheisel · **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2011, 10:17:13 AM

I had a great time this year fishing with everyone and meeting new friends. I wish i would have met more.

Well now it time for little league baseball and soccer.

Keep checking back in and we will be having soem new things to the site.

Have fun on the soft water.

lowellhturner · **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2011, 10:53:07 AM

Remember, it`s got 1 thing in common with baseball; there`s always NEXT season; just like mythical Frosty the snowman, rest assured, the "hard water" will come again...

ratherbefishing · **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2011, 07:57:21 AM

Time to get ready for my daughter's first year in the outdoors. We will spend a huge amount of time outside in the next 8 months. My 4 year old loves being out, which makes our lifestyle a lot more enjoyable.
Camping and fishing this spring and summer. I just got a new 8 qt. Dutch Oven for Christmas, it's going to turn out a lot of meals this year. There'll be Crappie in the spring and Bass around the corner. Then Bluegills and Brownies from the farm ponds and the Mad.
Coaching this Spring, Summer and Fall. Then back on the ice.
Somewhere during all of this, my partner and I will be scouting for the NAIFC stop in MI next winter.

snowcone · **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2011, 11:04:39 PM

this has been a great forum thanx, ive made some new friends,got to share ideas and thoughts. its a great place for up to date information so i can better my fishing experience. this is a real down to earth site where everyone is very willing to help and share, these days thats worth alot. i hope next year to contribute more. the safety reminders ,the fishing tips, the humor, the family orientation, the new ideas i have picked up is priceless, keep it rollin

i fish alot and im always going to different places ill keep posting so maybe my adventures will give others food for thought.. and like i say the time u spend fishing cannot be deducted from your life.......................

Eyewall · **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:49:25 PM

I have gotten spoiled the last couple of years fishing well into March. I might get 1 more day in if I'm lucky. A season to remember. Be safe.

Season Ending Thoughts

icebucketjohn

Season Ending Thoughts

snowcone

Re: Season Ending Thoughts

let it freeze

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ice phisher

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megan66

Re: Season Ending Thoughts

Banker

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davidhoheisel

Re: Season Ending Thoughts

lowellhturner

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ratherbefishing

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snowcone

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Eyewall

Re: Season Ending Thoughts