I live north of Hayward about an hour and we do not have even close to fishable ice but with the forecasted weather maybe just maybe the last weekend of gun season we will on small lakes.

Never enough!!

Run it at 50 to 1 and you will be fine. the old tecumsehs say 24 to 1 but i have never seen any issues at 50 to 1. And i also run my solo at 50 to 1 with no troubles.

Ajs

Yes R.I.P Jim Hudson He was a Good man and an awesome angler.

Superior ice is not to be trust at any time out in the area,s near the apostle islands

A good 20lb fluoro leader should prevent most bite offs. just make sure to check it between fish. And if your fishing outside i would shy away from using any braids due to freezing issues when its cold.

Ajs

Dont forget about chequamegon bay and the apostle islands.
Many big lakers swimming out there.

Ajs

Sounds lke the best bet. A good small engine guy will get you rockin again.

Ajs

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!

i say crappie hands down !!! i have fileted them all over the years

Ajs

i put small beads right at the hook. but for blades i generally space them up a little ways so they dont get in the way of the hook.

Ajs

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The pick up line in the tank in gas? sometimes they rot off,had it happen on a chainsaw. i would check that if you havent yet.good luck

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Cracked and rotted fuel lines are a very common problem on small engines these days.

Ajs

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Does anybody use any beads or blades to attract fish on you’re tip ups?

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Yes i mix it up with beads and blades. some days it,s hot others the old plain hook is best.

Ajs

i run 15lb fluoro leaders on my tip-ups when fishing lakes wih alot of pike and have landed pike up to 36 inches in the past couple years and have had no bite offs. Going to a heavier fluoro would seem to be a good choice to me.

But when i do target strickly pike i just use steel leaders when they curl up i toss,em

Ajs

i,ll take 2 sets!!!!!!!!

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Does anyone find it challenging reading a flasher at times with the long rod?

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No problems here either.

I currently use 42 inch customs i hand made for almost all of my jigging but i do have a couple 28 to 32 inchers for inside the portable.

Ajs

Lakes in the mellen area were sketchy and you had to check each lake as you go. I fished 2 lakes that had 3 to 5 inches of good ice and checked 2 others that i couldnt get on. Weekend total for two guys was 27 crappies and gills with the biggest crappie going 13.75 and gill was 10.5 plus one bonus 18 inch eye.

Ajs

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Best lookin bass i,ve seen in a long time!!!

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Waiting for the bass guys to get jacked up!

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I,l throw another log on the fire!!!!!!

Ajs

Best lookin bass i,ve seen in a long time!!!

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Depending on the lake, you could have 10 different sub-ecosystems within 1 lake. I would rather check them all out and know 1 lake thoroughly before moving to the next.

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I,m with Randy on this one. I fish some big water and it,s impossible to cover in a week let alone a day.

Ajs

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I haven’t tried the just plastics. what would you recommend for a setup on a greenish dirtier lake going for crappies.

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Pink head with white body or chart body.

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Orange can also be a hot!! color

Ajs

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Do you tend to jig constantly when using the plastics. I’ve only used live bait ice fishing. the plastics would be nice compared to trying to keep minnows and worms alive. and then I wouldn’t end up with a pocket full of dust from the waxworm containers

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Most of the time yes but some days they want it as still as possible. Those days i will just set the rod down on the ice and watch the locator and rod tip.

Ajs

99% plastics and hair year round for the past 8 years or so. It really is priceless when you can outfish 5 or 6 bait guys fishing in the same group. I also use a bunch of small spoons fished bare or with plastic tipping them. Smaller isnt always better when every other angler around you thinks small.

Ajs

You should be good to get on some ice in that area this weekend

Ajs

i use a larger 16 quart cooler for transporting minnows and it doubles as a seat when traveling without the portable.

Ajs

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Along with slow forming ice. This snow will also cause a lot of slush problems.

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Best hope is that the snow is heavy enough to sink the ice so the slush itself will freeze up which will make ice but its far from real safe ice. use extreme caution if this happens..

Ajs

That much snow on the little is you have is not going to be good. It will take a long time to get safe ice again remember with the snow on top of the ice and the water below it is above freezing which makes forming ice a very slow proccess. Hope for warmer weather.

Ajs

presentation,presentation,presentation
It depends what style jig or lure your using and on what givin day.

Ajs

Also give your trailer wheel bearings a couple pumps of grease every couple trips to help keep the water out and everything running smoothly.

Ajs

I wont have any ice reports for ashland county lakes til this weekend.

Ajs