With the cold temps finally making the way into NW IA I got on the ice with the boys for a few hours today.We choose Dog Creek which is a local pond that has a great population of small panfish.
This is our first time on the ice in December while fishing so it took a little bit to work some of the bugs out.It didn’t take long and Cole had 4 small crappie caught.He was using a Forage Fry tipped with a single maxworm.The 10-12″ crappie at times can get on a very good night bite on Dog Creek.But the last few years weve been waiting for the size to increase.All the crappie caught today were only around 7-8″‘s.Here is Cole with a little crappie.
Austin and Cole both caught fish and had a fun time.Austin was using A Hali/waxworm combo.He was using the FL-8 and was a ole’pro on that.Here are the brothers having fun on the ice.
We ended up with around 25 small fish.A few of the gills could have been cleaned but most were too small.The perch were also running on the small side.Dog Creek is only a few miles from our place and we usually always can get fish to bite,which makes it fun for kids.Cole with a small perch.We are hoping to get on Spirit Lake in the near future.
Best of luck on the hard water.
Ryan hale
Good job Dad it is nice to see the smiles on the kids
Austin and I always try to beat dad in fishing but it is very rare that we ever beat him
. In our long time of fishing we have only beat him once.
But his day is coming.We love to fish with are dad very much.
This is for Goody and Panfish if they read this.
Cole and Austin
Thanks for the report Ryan. Great to see the boys having a good time on the ice fishing. Memories are being made on each outting.
Thanks, Bill
Don’t worry boys–we know Dad made you say he outfishes you! I second the part of your message to Goody and Panfish
LOL
–Whitey
Jason,of course I made Cole say those things
!We were on a farm pond yesterday for a few hours and it was non- stop action.Close to 200 fish,alot were small but we ended up with 15 gills and 12 perch to clean.We didn’t even have to run the Vex as we had fish under us the whole time.Here are a few pics.
Ryan Hale
Cole with a nice Iowa farm pond gill.If you look closely at the previous pic Austin had a fish slam his bait as I took the pic.
Ryan Hale
It sure was a fun day on the ice.
Ryan Hale
Seeing them pics makes me want to get after it
Good job fella’s!! I notice your dad still hasn’t taken you to his secret bullhead pond yet!! I sure being’s you guys are getting older and will be putting it on the Ol’man soon he is saving that secret pond for himself! A man needs alittle time away by himself once in a while. My advice to you boys let dad go one of these days by himself. Have mom in on it with you borrow a car from someone so he won’t know it’s you guys. Follow him to his secret bullhead lake wait for him to get all set up and fishing. Then when you notice some activity rush the house and snap a couple pictures of dad with his prized catch!! Make sure you post some pictures’s on the site for all to see.
Cole don’t get to cocky you know that devil’s lake trip is not to far off. You have to sleep sometime you never know when your hand can be placed in a bowl of water!!
Hey Ryan – did you try the new rod out yet – just curious about your thoughts. Hope it is serving you well and I’m betting the boys were excited about a couple gifts they were receiving today
Chuckles
Good looking and healthy boys ryan! They’ll be around water all thier life.
Chuck,the boys were very happy with their gear they got.Sent you a pic via e-mail.
M-Dan,thanks.Sometimes they can be over healthy(naughty).They are both good little anglers and their way ahead of where I was at their age’s.I’m going to try to get the 3 year old out today to ice his first fish.
Ryan Hale
I hear that Ryan, I picked up that saying from gator, i had a pole in my boys hand when he was still in his carseat by the bank of the river watching him very closely and ol mom was baiting his hook and bobber. The sooner the better for the guys!!