Super User Jeff H Posted December 7, 2016 Super User Posted December 7, 2016 On 12/7/2016 at 8:18 AM, NathanDLTH said: Is getting into ice fishing just as fun and expensive as bass fishing lol! I'm kinda tempted to try it out for one season. It's fun... and expensive these days. Like everything else it's what you make of it. I used to chase walleyes a lot but kind of prefer gettin' after the panfish now instead and prefer to wait for late winter for that. Quote
Super User gim Posted December 8, 2016 Super User Posted December 8, 2016 11 hours ago, NathanDLTH said: Is getting into ice fishing just as fun and expensive as bass fishing lol! I'm kinda tempted to try it out for one season. Ice fishing isn't anything like bass fishing, or open water fishing of any kind. You sit there on frozen water and can only fish vertically, staring down a hole drinking beer. You'd probably be better off just having an "off-season" and then prepare for the real fishing season again in May. I guarantee there will be some jackass that tries to get out there on 3 inches of ice and falls through. Risking his life for a few panfish. SMH Quote
NathanDLTH Posted December 8, 2016 Posted December 8, 2016 The jury is still out on whether or I'll commit to ice fishing. Quote
FrogFreak Posted January 6, 2017 Posted January 6, 2017 I've been chewing on this ice fishing thing myself. My son took me out last week and it was OK but freaking cold. I think I'll stick with an off season and since I started pouring plastics a couple months ago, I have plenty to keep me busy! Yes, November was a pleasant surprise! 1 Quote
rascalP Posted January 14, 2017 Posted January 14, 2017 On 12/7/2016 at 7:25 PM, gimruis said: Ice fishing isn't anything like bass fishing, or open water fishing of any kind. You sit there on frozen water and can only fish vertically, staring down a hole drinking beer. You'd probably be better off just having an "off-season" and then prepare for the real fishing season again in May. I guarantee there will be some jackass that tries to get out there on 3 inches of ice and falls through. Risking his life for a few panfish. SMH No, it isn't like open water fishing, but the way I fish, it isn't staring down a hole drinking beer either. I ice fish the way I open water fish -- run and gun. We'll pick an area, drill a bunch of holes and break that area down. If nothing going on or smaller fish, we'll move, either big distance or small. We like panfishing, big gills in particular cause it suits the run and gun style. I ice fish for the same reason I open water fish - I flat out love to fish. Breaking down water, solving the fish puzzle with the goal of catching larger than average fish and the whole process of doing this. No doubt, catching nice bass as well, on 3lb test is a hoot and tests your skills. Sight fishing, when the opportunity presents itself is a blast too. It can really help you dial in water that you bass fish too. Covering water slower than in a boat can give some insights to the different structures that you bass fish, bottom content, weeds, etc.. Nathan, I would say, give it a chance. It gets you outside and just adds another pursuit for a few months. Quote
NathanDLTH Posted January 19, 2017 Posted January 19, 2017 On 1/14/2017 at 9:45 AM, rascalP said: No, it isn't like open water fishing, but the way I fish, it isn't staring down a hole drinking beer either. I ice fish the way I open water fish -- run and gun. We'll pick an area, drill a bunch of holes and break that area down. If nothing going on or smaller fish, we'll move, either big distance or small. We like panfishing, big gills in particular cause it suits the run and gun style. I ice fish for the same reason I open water fish - I flat out love to fish. Breaking down water, solving the fish puzzle with the goal of catching larger than average fish and the whole process of doing this. No doubt, catching nice bass as well, on 3lb test is a hoot and tests your skills. Sight fishing, when the opportunity presents itself is a blast too. It can really help you dial in water that you bass fish too. Covering water slower than in a boat can give some insights to the different structures that you bass fish, bottom content, weeds, etc.. Nathan, I would say, give it a chance. It gets you outside and just adds another pursuit for a few months. Thanks, guess I should of thought about my final semester more before thinking about ice fishing. I'd go if there was more time however my time is a commodity which chasing fish for the sake of finding fish isn't very productive. Don't get me wrong I love to fish just this last semester will require a fair bit of work. Right now all I have is bibs, nothing else and my apartment is small enough let alone adding more equipment. Thanks for the tips though, much appreciated. Quote
rascalP Posted January 19, 2017 Posted January 19, 2017 Hope you do well this semester, Nathan. When the time comes, you can add gear a little at a time. Auger and flasher should come first. With all the new stuff coming along, good used stuff is easy to find. Simple flasher, lightweight auger. I got my first few bass of the year, through the ice yesterday and today. Yesterday I went panfishing on a lake lake where it is quite common to catch bass mixed in with your panfish and got a 14 incher along with the bluegils. Not huge, but a fun battle on UL tackle. Today we tried Green lake for some sight fishing and I got a couple small ones. My buddy had a biggin come through, but he couldn't get it to bite. Pretty fun to watch it all. Quote
NathanDLTH Posted January 20, 2017 Posted January 20, 2017 Thanks, it will be busy and when it end fishing will be kicking off then there will be much rejoicing lol! Tight lines, keep on keeping on. Quote
Super User gim Posted February 6, 2017 Super User Posted February 6, 2017 Not sure if ya'll saw this, but the DNR lowered the bag limit on smallmouth from Mille Lacs from 4 to 3 daily with a 17-21 inch mandatory release restriction. I guess there was a lot of push from the bass industry to reduce the bag limit on smallmouth to 1 fish over 21 inches but that didn't happen. I hope the meat hunters (walleye anglers) don't turn to smallmouth as their primary target. I heard a biologist say that it takes a smallmouth in that lake about 10 years to reach 20 inches/5 pounds. Also, per the Star Tribune, 24 vehicles have gone through the ice this winter on Mille Lacs. The record is 32 in 2012. Only 9 more dummies needed to break the record! 1 Quote
Fiske Posted February 8, 2017 Posted February 8, 2017 In case you haven't seen it, an article just for us on the home page. Don’t Put Your Bass Fishing On Ice by Pete Anderson Quote
Smelter96 Posted February 14, 2017 Posted February 14, 2017 This weekend is supposed to be in the 50's Quote
geneoh Posted February 19, 2017 Posted February 19, 2017 I got out on the Mississippi on Friday and caught a few smallies. It was fun minus having to wade the bank with 20 other anglers. Crazy! I'm going to try to get out on the Mississippi one more time before winter returns. 1 Quote
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