Hale – Sight Fishing West Okoboji Bluegills

Here’s an article from Ryan Hale that couldn’t be more timely as it arrives on the coat tails of an artic cold front that will lock up lakes across IA and kick the ice fishing season into high gear.

Sight Fishing Clear Water Gills

Good details in there Ryan. And thumbs up to the Mitchell reels!

I agree.. Great article, thanks Ryan….

Dave

Great article, excellent way to fish gills.

Ryan,

Great article! I haven’t been on the ice much in the last couple of years but the aspect of ice fishing I enjoyed most was being in a situation where you could watch the fish come to your lure. It adds to the fun and you can learn so much. It give you the opportunity to see what, if any movement will attract fish or trigger bites. That knowledge can add to the success of blind or depthfinder fishing.

I’m sure there are lots of southeastern MN lakes that have the water clarity and weed growth that create good site fishing situations. The one I can attest to is Mazaska, at Shieldsville, in Rice County. I have had great success by working the weedline along the west edge of the lake. It can take lots of holes to find the right spots but when you find it it’s great site fishing for gills. If you move a few feet off the weedline you might find schools of modest sized perch.

Ryan,

I enjoyed your article on sight fishing. I’m using the tactic you taught me this summer, putting a 1.5-2 foot leader of Vanish under a swivel, but I’m using 6 lb. test (cuz thats what I had). I have some 2 and 3 # Micro-Ice; should I be using that instead?

Rick

Rick,if it’s working you don’t need to change.But if you notice that your not getting as many bites you can down size and go with lighter line.As use alot of 2,3,4# test when I panfish.
Ryan Hale