Hey All.
Those Mini Merts really do catch fish!!!
I had the opportunity to get out on the ice with some guys from work and we attempted to catch some fish out from the ambro slough. It was mighty cold but with the Otter and a good heater we were just fine.
Mini Merts seemed to be the “Go To Bait” for the day. We found that horizontal bait with a spike, waxie or a piece of plastic was going to be the bait to horse in some of our biggest gills for the day…
We are fishing the mid winter blues , so the fast and the furious is not me be expected this time of year, I find that horizontal baits tipped with either a piece of doo , spike or waxie is going to pull in the bigger gills. I have found that the flashers will really shine in times where fish come in at different levels so your bait needs to be at the right level at the right time.
I have not been able to get out near as much as I used to be so,
With the fun I had today…your orders my is just a day or two delayed….
Man I had a good time today!!!!I will be out and about the next several days ago I will try and report on how the bite is…There is a Prairie Du Chien Ice Derby this weekend that I will try and stay away from and next weekend my work place (3M) is having their ice GTG…
I will be out and looking for the mega slabs. And even if I do not succeed I will report back…
Fish are very lethargic this time of year so jig furiously to call them in, but then hold ever so still when you see your prey in the flasher…
When you least expect it…..expect it!!!
Very nice report Mr. ecnook
Are you using a spring for the bite you are on? It seems on pool 8, I’m missing alot of hits without one right now!
A coil spring is very important….most of my bigger gills right now are coming on the up lift on the spring bobber….
This is a great point Bret. I did not remember to put that point in my report as I take it for granted that people know that…
Thanks Buddy!!
awesome report. I would like to try those mini merts sometime. I have to agree that the spring bobber is key. can’t imagine fishing gills without it, my only exception is for sweedish pimples and baits of that sort.
Great report
love the pics 
Gills like this one just don’t come as often as we would like…If it wasn’t for the horizontal bait ..I really do not think we would catch them…the Mini Merts really do shine in the mid winter blues that were in right now
ecnook~
Thanks for the report I gotta stock up on these mini merts… I only have two as of right now and been wanting to place an order so most likely tomorrow I will have my order in. Just wanna make sure there is nothing else I need or want…
Dave actually goes fishing!!!????? I just got the weather report from hell, icicles are forming! Are the crappies going anywhere?
We did have a few crappies…but they just don’t moce into the place I was fishing till late in the year…
Nice report Dave!
Gotta love catching those bull gills! 
Nice report Ecnook,great to here of a bite going on closer to home. Can’t wait to try out the Merts ,especially the new red. How much ice on ambro ,plenty to get over to “mud”? Thanx again
It’s my understanding that there are 4-wheelers going over into Mud…I think there is plenty of ice !!!
Got to agree with the mini merts. Ordered the kit from Dave, and doing great with them. Been out 5 times in last 12 days and haven’t had a bad day yet. Would post more but just haven’t figured out how to post pics. So far best bite for me has been from about 10 am till about 2pm. I would order the package deal with all the colors. Color has been making a big difference for me. Good luck.
There were a couple nice perch fell victim to a mini mert and minnow head on pool 8 today
nice gills’ just got off of brushy nailed bluegills but finding bigger ones were tough but did manage a 15′ crappie hoping to get up to clear lake next weekend so if anyone has a report I would like to hear about it
Nice report Mr. Koonce.
Great report Dave, love the big bulls
I know this hype about Mini Merts seems like it has to be a hoax or something, but I can honestly say they are out producing everything I have been using this year. Even my dad, who chases big gills almost every day has switched over to Mini Merts. Now if I can get him to quit taking all my purple and red glow ones 
I finally gave in, and ordered some mini-merts to try this weekend. Hopefully they are the ticket for some sumo-gills, southern Iowa style!
Hey Koonce
Thanks for the ride out Friday,It was a great time!!!
I know I’m stuck on the purple MiniMerts,they proved themself’s again on Friday.The Otter was nice and cozy,refreshments were great also!!! Thanks A Bunch
Steve,
We had a great time. I can’t believe you stayed up that long.Working 6pm-6am and then fishing all day…die hard !!
That 3-wheeler is really the ticket on the ice isn’t it !!
)
(thanks Glen Keller
how can I get my hands on those mini merts would like to try them
You can get them Here