Its 2008 and theres nothing better than starting the year out by going fishing. Don’t wait til spring when theres fish to be caught right NOW! New Years Resolutions to fish more often than before is a resolution that must be kept. And one thats alot of fun keeping too. [thumbs up]
Flashers are great for deeper water if you pay attention to what it tells you. Just because you don’t see fish on the flasher doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Doing a ”pounding/shaking” of the rod tip and jig will draw fish to your offering. When you start seeing the fish come in near your jig keep doing what you were doing that brought them in so they don’t lose interest. Paying attention to what the flasher is telling you and watching how your technique brings the fish in will ice more fish for you time and time again.
In the early part of the ice season I will move around more to locate fish. As the season progresses and I have an idea where they are then I don’t move as much. I like to try to draw the fish to me. Its sort of a combination of a game and a learning experience at the same time. I want to learn something new each time out. It may be using a new jig or trying a different jigging technique or fishing different structure. We are never too old to learn and we will never know it all so why not make each outting a learning one that will help you ice more fish.
Cold days like we just saw sure makes a guy appreciate his portable ice shelter, or as my son calls it – his boat on the ice. For me its a small Fishtrap Scout that is light and will fit into the back of a small car which gets great gas mileage so I can hit different bodies of water. Or a smaller two man Shappell suitcase type ice house thats easier to pull and sets up quick. No, I’m not sponsored by any of these, but I am mentioning them for ”examples” of light smaller shelters that help to make me more mobile when I need to be yet comfortable when I find where I want to fish. Fishing different bodies of water throughout the ice season is a good way to learn alot about new and different waters. I hope you enjoy the time on the ice that you spend, catch some fish, learn something new on each outting, and share what you know and learn with others. We ALL learn from each others sharing so please feel free to post and share as much as you want on this website. Its here for YOU.
See you on the water – hard or soft.
Thanks, Bill
Great report Bill! Glad to see you out there braving the cold temps. Very good tip to keep doing what you’re doing when fish come near. So many times I’ve seen myself and others get fish coming in with an aggressive jigging motion only to stop moving the bait or move it more slowly when the fish come near. This usually results in the fish heading back down again. Thanks for the reminder!