Small water ice report,Dec 26,2004

Had time to make it out on the hard water today after all the week end X-mas chores were over.Cole got his own 1 man Trap this year for a gift.It will be a great unit for him for many years to come.Here is his first fish out of his very own shack.

We started at a local farm pond that has had a awesome bite the past week.Although the fish are small you can get some fish to clean if you fish long enough.We kept a dozen gills & perch off this farm pond today.We then took off to Dog Creek to try for some low light crappies.I could see there had been a few people on the ice before us.This is what was on the ice when we got out to where we were going to fish.Some people have no clue,why would they leave this crap on the ice?Cole and I took their garbage with us when we left.

The gills were biting very well the last hour of sunlight but we were after some crappie.I had a minnow on under a Hali and Cole had a pink/white 1/16 oz.Glow Devil on tipped with a waxworm.Here is what I use when I fish after dark.It’s one of those lights that you simply push to turn off and on.I set it on the back of my hole and line my rod tip up in the light.Very easy to see your bites.

We only caught 7 crappie,Cole caught 6 of them.They wanted a glow type lure tipped with a waxie on this day.Cole kept asking me”why don’t you change?” I guess I should have but kept thinking that the minnow would bring in the larger 10-12″ crappie that I know are in Dog Creek.Here is Cole with the typical size of crappie were getting this year.
Ryan Hale

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ryan-hale

I'm a part time guide on the Iowa Great Lakes.Love to fish and hunt.I have fished many open and hard water tourneys.I also run Harbor View Resort on West Okoboji lake.

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  1. Sounds like Cole really likes his new house. Did he get the Scout model? I bought one and so did my son Nate as they are very light and I needed a light one. Where did you get the light from that you were using? Clever way to have light to watch for bites. Do you think the light hurts the fishing any by maybe spooking them since its close to the hole? Hopefully not as it seems to help see the bites. You and the boys are doing a great job on reporting there Bud. Keep em coming, they are fun and educational to read.
    Thanks, Bill

  2. Great report Ryan, good to see Cole get his own shack–looks like now more claiming his fish are yours Ryan LOL. I can’t wait to get out Wed. or Thurs. and try and find some ice down this way–I NEED a break!

    –Whitey

  3. Hey Ryan – how’s the new stick working for you? Looks like it made it into the photo… Hope it is doing the trick. Chuckles

  4. Chuck,the rod is awesome.I’m very happy with it.
    Bill,you can find those lights almost anywhere.There only a buck or 2 and work great for night fishing.I’ve never had a issue with the light bothering the fish.
    Also glad people enjoy reading my reports and thanks for the feedback.Nice to hear what people think after each report.
    Ryan Hale

  5. Ryan:
    Thanks for the report, looks like your having some fun on the ice. I had not seen that light before but will look for them.
    I need to have Cole give me a visit, maybe he could give me some lessons(in exchange for some Choc. Chip cookies)!
    Keep the reports coming.
    Try to keep ahead of the boys, I read that they have only outfished you once. WOW! I think their time is coming!

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