Super User *Hootie Posted February 19, 2011 Super User Posted February 19, 2011 I usually fish as soon as I can, but seldom catch anything on the first couple of trips. But I still have to go. Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted February 19, 2011 Super User Posted February 19, 2011 I start fishing as soon as the water is soft. Living in Tennessee, I actually experience "ice-out" 3 or 4 times. Our lakes freeze, but then thaw several times over the winter. In-between freezes, water temp sometimes never gets out of the 30s so "catching" is sometimes poor (as in nothing!). Sometimes, we get a few warm days and water temps get into the low 40s and you can connect on a few fish. I caught my first bass of the year on New Year's day. This time of year, I'm fishing from the bank (water too cold to put the canoe in) and at ice-out I'll target the deepest water I can reach from the bank. If there are a few warm days in a row, I'll start checking out some of the shallow water areas to see if some fish have come up and are active. I've been doing very well in one particular cove in water between 39 and 48 degrees: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1297129408 One thing that might be different about my situation is that I don't take fishing "trips"...all 11 of my lakes are a 10 minute or less drive from my house so it's easy to drive around the lakes, look for some soft water, and make a few casts. If I get too cold or there's no action...I just drive home. It's not like I drove 50 miles or whatever to get to the lake... Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted February 19, 2011 Super User Posted February 19, 2011 I go as soon as I possibly can. I'm like Goose in the respect that I keep it pretty local for the same reasons. Last year was the best ice out fishing I've experienced in all the time I have been fishing. Heading into the week prior to ice out we got really warm days with flooding rain. The rain not only melted the ice, but helped warm the water considerably. Fish came in shallow within a couple of days after ice out and there were a lot of big fish mixed in. I ended up getting my PB LMB for the year during that period. Quote
Blue Streak Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 I get out as soon as I can. It is usually a good time to pick up some nice bass on jerk baits. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted February 19, 2011 Super User Posted February 19, 2011 I would if it were legal . . . . . :'( A-Jay Quote
BassThumb Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 If it were legal I would. I go sunfishing with my flyrod within a week of ice-out. I almost never see any bass on my first few trips. Quote
Scorcher214 Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 I have to wait till the 3rd week in april for C&R season in michigan. So i'll just get in my kayak and cast around in my canal Quote
Super User Tin Posted February 19, 2011 Super User Posted February 19, 2011 If there is open water I go. Last year I was catching fish while half of a lake was still locked up with ice. Quote
Iowa Matt Posted February 19, 2011 Posted February 19, 2011 Literally, the day after ice out on the bay where this was caught. Main lake still had some ice. Caught two like this in the same spot and both were fairly aggressive. March 27th of 2010. Matt Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted February 19, 2011 Super User Posted February 19, 2011 I fish at ice out, at ice up, and on the ice. I never stop. Quote
Super User Hooligan Posted February 19, 2011 Super User Posted February 19, 2011 I'm like you. I fish from Jan1-Dec 31. Ice, ice out, soft water, ice up, then start all over again. Quote
bass or bass ? Posted February 20, 2011 Posted February 20, 2011 Don't have ice here! Just fish when I want! Quote
lavbasser Posted February 20, 2011 Posted February 20, 2011 I fish at ice-out as well or as soon as there is some open water. If the lake is still partially frozen I don't leave the bank. However, the wind can push ice into the open water areas making it unfishable just a few hours later. This was one of my first fish from last year (3-14-10). The lake was frozen the night before. Quote
WanderLust Posted February 20, 2011 Posted February 20, 2011 I fish at ice-out as well or as soon as there is some open water. If the lake is still partially frozen I don't leave the bank. However, the wind can push ice into the open water areas making it unfishable just a few hours later.This was one of my first fish from last year (3-14-10). The lake was frozen the night before. nice fish! My pointer rod is ready to rock & roll! Quote
Super User bassfisherjk Posted February 21, 2011 Super User Posted February 21, 2011 I don't usually get out till the end of April,at the earliest. Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted February 21, 2011 Global Moderator Posted February 21, 2011 Being less than an hour from 1 powerplant and just over an hour from another I never stop fishing soft water even when everything else has enough ice to walk on! ;D Quote
qyjmh Posted February 22, 2011 Posted February 22, 2011 ill let the pictures tell you my opinion on the ice Quote
zbigbadaaron Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 I fish other species until lake, and pond fishing season opens. Which is at May. Quote
Flywatersmallie Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 I fish all year. The river that flows near my house never freezes and bass are open all year. A lot of the inland lakes have to wait till the first Saturday in May Quote
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