First Ice is here in Iowa! My good buddy Josh, and I loaded up the gear and hit the road in search of safe hardwater. The first spot took us in search of “safe” ice on the Wapsipinicon river backwaters. Much to my dismay we were unable to find safe, fishable ice anywhere along the wapsi.
I usually start out at first ice on the wapsi, those fish always seem willing to bite. However, with only an 1 1/2 of ice, the decision for us was easy, move on! We then headed north, and found some safer hard water on a public quarry. I drilled about 50 holes in search of some type of structure, and we did find some trees in 15 fow. The trees had quite a few fish, but they definitely had a negative attitude.
We decided to continue on to the next spot. We found more fishable ice, and began punching holes again, this time the fish were cooperative.These fish were cooperative, meaning that they would at least nibble at our offering’s. I have a feeling that the major front/snow storm moving through our area kept the fish in a neutral to negative mood. These were very tough first ice fishing conditions. It was a balmy ten degrees outside, with a 15-20 mph wind, and RAIN/SLEET!?!?
Lures and Presentation- Josh had a CJ&S Diamond jig on, clown color, and I was using the new Gill Pill, also clown color. Both baits produced fish very well today. I found out today that the fish wanted a lot of commotion going on to get involved in the feeding sequence. When I was “finesse” fishing, I would not attract a single fish. I really had to make that gill pill dance to bring in the fish. Once the fish were on the screen, they wanted the bait dead still before biting. Trial and error, like always.
I love the way these jigs fish, and hook fish consistently. If you haven’t given them a shot yet, I strongly suggest doing so. Josh was using wax worms, and I opted for the finesse plastics. It was too cold for taking of the gloves to thread on a wax worm. That wind cut through bare skin, like I have never felt before.
One piece of advice I would like to offer up for this season. Time management= Ice season is my favorite time of the year, yet it is also the shortest. These past couple of years, I have really been concentrating on making my time on the ice as productive as humanly possible. Simple things such as switching to plastics instead of live bait. Every fish I hook on live bait, I usually re-bait. If you catch 20-30 fish, that is a lot of time spent not fishing. I can go through a whole day without switching a finesse plastic out. Plastics allow you to get the bait back down to the fish as soon as you unhook, and release. Gas in the auger the night after fishing instead of the next morning. Even the most simple things equal more actual fishing time on the ice. Every SINGLE second counts for me on the ice!!
This last picture is of Josh staring hard at the lx-5 screen. This was Josh’s first time ever using a flasher. Let’s just say he never made eye contact with me the entire day. There is nothing better than getting someone involved in the wonderful world of Ice-fishing!! Take a new ice angler or kid with you this ice season, it is very rewarding!
Be careful out there guys, the first three spots we checked were not fishable. Good luck stay safe, and we’ll see you on the hard water!
All fish were released!!
Great report Luke! Those are some pretty sunfish.
I can’t wait to hit the ice with those new Gill Pills!!
Way to go Luke!!
By the way, that fish in the second pic is no walleye.
Definitely a green sunfish
How thick was the best ice you found Luke?
Less than 2″ but more than 1 1/2″…
Actually it varied, it if didn’t crack, when I jumped on it, I said “good”-
Anywhere from 2-4…the stuff with snow on it…I won’t even get near.
Brian- I was dreaming of iced walleye fillets…woke up, and it was a bass on the end of my line.
Thick enough to hold me, but probably not you Herb
Heard any reports on Belva Deer?
lol- I am not going to get my hopes up for a long ice fishing season this year…This year would have been the best year for ice in a long time, but of course…we get snow. 6-8″ more inches are coming…
If we get any more snow, Iowa ice is done for the year- unless we get a complete restart from open water.
I measured 8 1/4″ on Spirit today 6 of that being good hard clear ice. But your right this snows not helping. 3″ already and still coming down
Thanks for the report Luke. Great seeing you back on hard water. I also picked up some ”gill pills’ jigs from HOF today and look forward to giving them a try.
Thanks, Bill
Nothing on BD yet Brian.
Prediction: The ice south of I80 we’ll lose shortly. But come jan. and early feb., we’ll be having good icemaking weather.
We’ll see if I’m right.
Awesome report Luke
Nice job Luke, looks like we may have to go north for our ice fishing fix this year!!
Ed
Great Report Luke…
hitting first ice is always a hoot !!!
luke what kind of rod case do you use or have
Great report Luke and nice fish guys
Hey man! Whats going on!?
I have a couple of the revolution bags…by stone legacy, and I also have a marcum icepac Marcum Icepac
Very nice bag! It really keeps rods safe! Not a ton of room for a tackle, but I have plenty of tackle bags for that. The really nice thing about the icepac is the stand, and how it sets up. Rods are very easily accessible! And the flasher holder is great!
Well done, Luke! Nice gills!
Great report Luke, nice to get out on the ice finally
up here in Sioux City we found 4″ of good clear ice. We dodged a majority of the snow on Saturday, and because of the front we found lots of lookers and very few takers. When the big guy comes over to check things out, water begins to come through the holes. Things should get better.
Nice report! Good to see you hit the ice. Feels good, eh?
Sully
hey thanks i was also going to ask how do you like those rocky ice boots you have i am thinking about getting a pare do they hold out the moisture. i am heading up to otter tail Wed. do you have any advice for the lake or lakes around there
Not sure where that is at exactly…give me a buzz 319-350-5232
I wore the rockies for one year (last year)…and they are added to the pile of “junk” boots. I am trying a pair of cabelas boots this year, and a pair of the steger mukluks.
Well, I’m partially right so far. All this rain/freezing rain has put the big time hurt on the ice I had yesterday while setting beaver traps. Most of the dead water slough is wide open this morning. Had a decent 2inches to walk on yesterday.
I think this rain is the best…we were not making ANY ice over the past week. With the snow now gone, we can make some ice!!!
Great report Luke! Very informative and also a good read!