Super User Fishing Rhino Posted January 21, 2019 Super User Posted January 21, 2019 On ‎1‎/‎19‎/‎2019 at 5:14 PM, MassYak85 said: Got out today on a new pond in Grafton. Fished it from about 8:30 to 2. Ice was surprisingly thick, nearly 8 inches in some spots, closer to 4 in an area with some current. Cracks were shooting across the pond all day, some right between my feet! Makes you jump for sure if you're not used to it. It was slow fishing but the pickerel were consistent, got 9 total on tilts, no big ones though, and NO BASS....ugh. Moved to a different pond in Upton in hopes of at least one bass, got one dink but hey, a bass is a bass. Also jigged up a perch and got another pickerel. Ice there was a pretty consistent 4 inches there but much clearer ice with little cracking. Not a terrible start to the ice season. Today's dink is tomorrow's trophy. Quote
Mr. Aquarium Posted January 21, 2019 Posted January 21, 2019 I cant wait for that thaw to happen, open water again. Quote
Super User MassYak85 Posted January 21, 2019 Super User Posted January 21, 2019 5 hours ago, Mr. Aquarium said: I cant wait for that thaw to happen, open water again. Maybe sooner than you think, 50's and pouring rain and wind forcasted for Thursday, could open up some of the Cape Ponds. Quote
MerkinScarf Posted January 21, 2019 Posted January 21, 2019 I am a long time fisherman but new to ice fishing. Now I live on a lake. Is there a website that you can find out if ice is safe in your area? Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted January 22, 2019 Super User Posted January 22, 2019 16 hours ago, MerkinScarf said: I am a long time fisherman but new to ice fishing. Now I live on a lake. Is there a website that you can find out if ice is safe in your area? Merkin? Not many will know what that is. I do. Quote
MerkinScarf Posted January 22, 2019 Posted January 22, 2019 don51 and mraquarium thanks!!!! iceshanty is exactly what I needed. 1 Quote
Don51 Posted January 22, 2019 Posted January 22, 2019 May take awhile to figure out the navigation. ? Quote
Super User MassYak85 Posted January 22, 2019 Super User Posted January 22, 2019 20 hours ago, MerkinScarf said: I am a long time fisherman but new to ice fishing. Now I live on a lake. Is there a website that you can find out if ice is safe in your area? NO! I don't mean to be so blunt, and sorry if this is information you already know, but you must ALWAYS check the ice thickness yourself every time you go, there is no other way to do so safely. Current, underwater springs, rain runoff, wind, geese (yes I said geese) can all affect ice thickness and lead to wildly different conditions even on the same lake, even in the middle of the ice season. One spot I fish a lot had a foot of ice on most of it a couple years ago...there was open water 300 yards away because geese had decided they didn't want to fly south and instead were swimming around keeping the water open. A good rule of thumb unless you know what you're doing is never ice-fish rivers, or near spillways where there may be current.  All that said, IceShanty is a great site and if you check the Massachusetts local forum guys will usually post recent trips and some may mention how thick the ice was where they were. That's a good place to start to plan a trip. But again, your safety is in your own hands. I recommend getting some ice picks to keep around your neck/in a pocket and an ice chisel. A good practice is to chisel your way out onto the lake until you reach where you will be fishing (give the ice a few good wacks with the chisel every few steps, if it breaks through, might want to rethink walking further in that direction). The ice picks will aid in self rescue if it comes down to that. Hopefully you never have to use them.  Some (hopefully) helpful links...  Ice Picks: https://www.cabelas.com/product/HT-Enterprises-Deluxe-Polar-Ice-Picks/1545326.uts?productVariantId=1291818&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=02483617&rid=20&ds_rl=1246492&ds_rl=1246531&ds_rl=1247882&ds_rl=1252079&gclid=Cj0KCQiAm5viBRD4ARIsADGUT26HmPIqZ3520yXmJXUEmsKywECpXlrjUBGV4bcrTPWTPPwVSptil_waAgxOEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Ice Chisel: https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/eskimo-redneck-economy-ice-chisel-16eskurdnckcchsl7fic/16eskurdnckcchsl7fic?camp=CSE:DSG_pg29987_mk_PLA_454&gclid=Cj0KCQiAm5viBRD4ARIsADGUT26bF25YRfFAEhEAUBo0v0MOIPNUkzY6Tuv7rXk7sQHhLEfz8VPUGBUaAnyNEALw_wcB  Self Rescue Video:    Quote
LadiMopar Posted January 24, 2019 Posted January 24, 2019 On 1/21/2019 at 1:47 PM, Mr. Aquarium said: thats a sad sad picture Yup, I agree, but it's a mighty sweet yak.  Any of you guys heading to the fishing expo in Boxborough this weekend? I'm planning to order my new Feelfree Dorado yak while I'm there. https://nefishingexpo.com  Hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season and a great gathering at the Red Wing. Wish I could have made it down there but my dad passed away just a month ago and I've been trying to get things squared away for my mother.  Looking forward to the expo, and a return to open water...a big 'ole bass on the end of a line would sure do wonders for me right about now. 1 Quote
Mr. Aquarium Posted January 24, 2019 Posted January 24, 2019 I'm so sorry for your loss, God bless you and your family. I will be a the show on Saturday when it opens. I'm going to stock up on some of my favorite soft plastics and swimbaits!! 1 Quote
Janderson45 Posted January 24, 2019 Posted January 24, 2019 I’ll be at the Expo on Saturday at least potentially Sunday if I feel the need/urge.  Hope to see some of you around.  Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted January 24, 2019 Super User Posted January 24, 2019 Sorry about your Dad, LadiMopar.  Best of luck helping Mom.  I’m working Saturday and will go Sunday if I don’t snag an extra shift.  It was just Fishing Rhino and I at Red Wing.   We’ll do it again when we get closer to spawn. 1 Quote
LadiMopar Posted January 25, 2019 Posted January 25, 2019 A heartfelt thanks for the kind words on the loss of my dad, they really are appreciated. No matter how old we get, or how long you know its coming, losing a parent just isn't easy. And not to be a complete downer, I also lost my oldest fishing buddy in November. ? Please let 2019 be a better year for everyone.   @MrAquarium and @Janderson45 I plan to be at the expo Saturday when the doors open too! Meeting up with @haggard who is coming down from Kittery. Keep your eyes open for my big Brown RAM in the "specially anointed" parking spots. (aka handicapped) With any luck we can do a mini meet and greet ...sorry you have to work @DogBone_384 ? If you don't see me in the parking lot I probably won't be too hard to find in the show...NEBassin neon green hoodie and a RAM hat. ? ? 1 Quote
Janderson45 Posted January 25, 2019 Posted January 25, 2019 Just a thought, but why not target the Expo as a meet and greet every winter?  For those of us with a busier schedule that attend the expo each year it’s like killing two birds with one stone.  Plus has the added benefit of having food/drink available, ample space to have smaller conversations amongst our groups but also more than 100 fishing vendors to check out right on site!  Add in the pro seminars geared from beginning largemouth fishing to tournmanent fishing.  Also a ton of information on striper, bluefish, blackfish, sharks and tuna fishing in New England to boot. 2 Quote
Chris186 Posted January 25, 2019 Posted January 25, 2019 On 1/24/2019 at 11:34 AM, Janderson45 said: I’ll be at the Expo on Saturday at least potentially Sunday if I feel the need/urge.  Hope to see some of you around.  I will be there Saturday as well, be sure to check out the Big Bear booth, my buddy Brandon will be working it. I work with him, he can hook you up. 1 Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted January 25, 2019 Super User Posted January 25, 2019 3 hours ago, Janderson45 said: why not target the Expo as a meet and greet every winter? I'm in, so long as I'm not working and I get my 'permission slip' signed. Ha Ha.  If I get out to the Expo this weekend, I drive a orange Tundra with ladder racks and a BassResource bumper sticker on it... hard to miss. 2 Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted January 25, 2019 Author Super User Posted January 25, 2019 Just saw this, please accept  my belated condolences @LadiMopar. 1 Quote
Mr. Aquarium Posted January 25, 2019 Posted January 25, 2019 @LadiMopar I'll be walking around with my deaf buddy, wearing a long sleeve MGC fishing shirt. I'll most likely be spending time at the Samatis baits booth, LLLLLLLOOOOVVVVVEEE those soft plastics!! If I see a neon green sweatshirt Ill say hi. Hopefully there wont be to many LOL 1 Quote
Super User MassYak85 Posted January 25, 2019 Super User Posted January 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Jigfishn10 said: Just saw this, please accept  my belated condolences @LadiMopar. Mine as well, so sorry to hear that. 1 Quote
LadiMopar Posted January 25, 2019 Posted January 25, 2019 4 hours ago, DogBone_384 said: I'm in, so long as I'm not working and I get my 'permission slip' signed.   If the "boss" won't sign your permission slip I'd be happy to forge her signature! ?  And as far as that work thing goes, tell your other boss you need a mental health day...fishing tackle and good friends always make you feel better. ? 8 hours ago, Janderson45 said: Just a thought, but why not target the Expo as a meet and greet every winter? That's a fabulous idea, so glad you mentioned it! ?  Quote
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