Decisions, decisions………………

Ice Fishing is fast approaching and we will be stepping onto hard water any day now. I don’t know about you, but I am the kind of guy that sits and thinks, then plans what to do for that first ice trip. Like most of you, I have gone through my gear at least a dozen times and have tied my favorite jigs so they are all set to go. However, in my itty bitty mind, I form a plan of attack even while preparing my tackle. I know that I want to hit those favorite places for first ice that have provided success in the past. Places such as Wilcox, West Newton, the Dike road, Finger lakes and backwater sloughs on the Wisconsin side. All shallow water spots that have proven themselves to be best for first ice. Now knowing that I will be fishing shallow, what kind of jig or lure to use? I prefer horizontals, such as Ratsos, Rat Finkies, Flicktails and Moon Glow has this nice horizontal. Why horizontals? I believe that for best results in shallow water, five feet or less, one should swim his bait and the above horizontals I mentioned, do the trick for me. Oh sure, that is not to say one can’t catch shallow fish with tear drops, but my experience has been horizontals for first ice in shallow water will out produce tear drops. Tear drops such as demons definately have their place. When fishing deep water, then I resort to those types of jigs. Been told to be productive in deep water, then one has to pound his bait instead of swimming it. Heavier leaded jigs get you down faster and when jigging or pounding, you can feel it much better.
I have three rods rigged to go for that first outing and all three have different horizontals, colors and sizes. See, told you I sit, think and plan. What is your plan for attack?

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Like most of you, I have gone through my gear at least a dozen times and have tied my favorite jigs so they are all set to go.

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Come on now Ron……MOST of us aren’t that crazy

I don’t know what my plan of attack is yet, but it could involve a blow tourch (if ya know what I mean) .

But I do know that I was able to skate out to the duck blind this morning

As much as I enjoy fishing for panfish, my first ice thoughts are laced with visions of easy tip-up pike, and sight fishing largemouth with jigging spoons. My plan of attack entails pounding weed flats, and deep edges that still have some green stuff on them. Fall patterns are still in full swing with the first ice. Light penetration is not an issue, fish haven’t slid into their winter lull. The same spots you were slow rolling spinnerbaits over a month ago, still have the same fish on them, ripped and ready for the picking. First thing in the morning I tend to start shallow, sometimes in water as skinny as 4′. I drill all the holes that I hope to fish in an area first thing. If you have to make noise, might as well get it all over at once. Set a tip-up with a large shiner or sucker (bigger is better for pike, medium suckers for bass), just a foot or two below the ice, right above the weeds. If you don’t have any of the Frabil Thermal tip-ups I would suggest covering the hole with a 1’x1′ piece of carpet, cut a slit to the middle to accomadate the tip-up shaft. The carpet will block out any light that my look unnatural, and it also will keep the hole from freezing as quickly. Then for the set up in the house, a jigging spoon (usually a Northland Rattle Spoon, or a Pimple in silver or gold), tipped with a red tail or a small shiner. Get it as dark as you can inside, and if the Secchi allows, get over the hole and keep a keen eye for flaring gills and green shadows.
If you have two or more people, mix it up. One tip-up shallow, both guys sight-fishing 2′-4′ feet deeper, and a tip-up on the break or weed edge. The concept definitely speeds the process of elimination for dead water. Look for the green weeds, cabbage always seems to last the longest into the year. As the day progresses don’t hesitate to move tip-ups and sight-fishing holes, leaning more towards the deeper edge by mid-day, but not neccesarily off the flat. Pike and bass will push and press baitfish up and down the flat all day, what it comes down to is finding where the “roads” are. Areas around and on the flats that work as natural funnels, hence creating the coveted “HOT HOLE”. Just like sunnies will cling to one green stalk of cabbage, northerns will wait around by that one stalk, for the sunnies to show up.
I’ll put it all to the test Thursday A.M. in Bemidji.
Lot’s of luck, CPR please!!!!

Jake you rascal, you best be carefull. Who is calling who crazy? Haven’t you openly and publicly admitted that you hear voices coming from your tackle box? Time for you to visit the NICE doctor.
You make nice with Stradic10 and I just bet he would take you pike fishing and show you how it is done, so you can someday say, I too caught and northern.
Comeon Jake, join Mike and myself ice fishing someday. We will wrap you up in four or five sleeping bags with an opening just big enough so you can breath.
Hey, mister, aren’t you supposed to be in class studing?
Dan, that is one nice looking pike you got there and I can see that you too are a thinker and planner.

Hey Ronny Baby…..I’ll join you two any time you want …..Just let me know when and where .

And on a similar note, I think you moderators should get your little heads together and come up with a time and place for a Rochester Area Get Together this winter. Any day from Dec 16th-Jan 13th will work for me .

Jake, a IDA get together is a great idea. Lets put it out there for others to decide. Between now and then, I will gather up the sleeping bags for you. We don’t want you to freeze your tootsies. Caution, you will get hooked and then want to go all the time. Geez kid, isn’t there some college dollies that will distract you and keep you warm this winter?

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some college dollies that will distract you and keep you warm

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Should I comment here? Nope…gonna pass

As far as he GTG in Rochester goes…I would come down just to put the duck tape on Jake… and get some fishing in…

Nice post RHW and Stratic! I would be happy with a pike half that size!