Pool 8 Weekend Ice Report 2/16/08

By bret_clark 0

Dodge Boy made the trip from up Nort to the La Crosse area to visit. So why not visit while trying to tag some crappies We couldn’t have asked for better conditions weather wise Saturday. The morning Temperature was at 3 degrees but it didn’t take long and it was topping off at 29 degrees. The area we fished was well protected from any wind so it made for a good day to hop holes. The morning produced a few gills in 17fow with all but two being watch fobs, Dodge Boy also iced two surprise short Walleyes in the first group of holes.

Not being happy with the quality of fish we were on the StrikeMaster punch us another series of holes in 25 – 32fow. The MarCum’s were showing fish anywhere from 8-22 feet below the ice and in short order we started to catch crappies. Still nothing real big but we were having good action catching 8-10 inch fish. With some weeding out Dodge Boy and Mike C took home a couple nicer sized fish.

It wasn’t long and we realized vertical was the style jig these fish wanted. The best producing baits for us were the Gold/Glow Slender Spoon I was using and Dodge Boy was taking fish with a Demon Jig both from CJ&S and tipped with a minnow head. Mike C I believe did well with the Orange Moxy jig and waxie. John R was with us early in the morning but left just as things picked up Been there, done that myself

It was fun guys

After waking up to a drastic change in the weather Sunday 24 degrees and a North wind at 15-22+mph making for vertical rain/snow, it took some drive to head for ice The only motivation I had was anticipating a big eye on the other end of the rod, it was not too be but neutron he is nuts too and I did catch fish

The majority of the fish being marked where hanging in 18-22fow and there were a lot more lookers than takers making for a tough bite. We played catch and release with some 13-14 inch Saugers and released a few eyes 14-14.5 inches. Just enough to keep us poking around, drilling holes and staying on the move.

Steve triggered a bite from the nicest fish of the day on a dead stick using an orange hook and minnow. This was as close to looking like a saugeye as I have seen without being certain. I have seen Saugeyes on pool 8 a number of times but this one had me stumped, it would have been released if it would have been short.

The Jig N Rap was catching fish with no one color being hot but it was necessary to have it tipped with a minnow head. Using a whole minnow only produced clingers and robbers.

I had fun playing catch and release in the weather and neutron was able to take a couple nice fish home. The LX-5 has been undressed from its soft pack and now sits thawing in the sink…..what hun?…..yea be right there time to move it

Two totally different days this weekend but fun to be on the ice with friends and find fish willing to play tug of war

Good luck fishing people

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bret_clark

0 Comments

  1. The first pic is neutron peaking out of the shack to see what I’m up too He did a good job staying on the move with shack in tow
    The second pick was the only other neighbors we had off in the distance.
    The others are just some shots that really do not do the weather justice.

  3. The weather made it challenging, with my auger throttle forzen and everything wet, but I had a blast this morning. Like Bret all of my equipment is in my shop thawing out and drying.

  6. For those of you who have never had the opportunity to meet Bret in person I would just like to say what a true sportsman he is. I had the opportunity to meet him on the ice on Saturday. I had my 8 yr-old son along and no matter what I did I could not get into the fish. Bret realized my son’s frustration and after awhile Bret called my son over to his fishing spot, handed him his fishing pole, and taught him how to read his Marcum. Within a few minutes my son was catching crappies. As soon as we got home he was right on the computer looking for Bret on IDO. Thank you Bret for making his day!

  9. Nice fish and way to stay out after em on sunday Just curious, what are you running for a reel on your jig set-up ?

    big g

    Also, welcome to IDO ABE !!!

  11. It was my pleasure Abe, wish I could have stuck around for a while longer. Hope to see you both on the ice again

    Great to see you took the time to sign on…….welcome to IDO, enjoy the reading and participation. You will find a lot of good info here and great guys

  13. Quote:

    Bret realized my son’s frustration and after awhile Bret called my son over to his fishing spot, handed him his fishing pole, and taught him how to read his Marcum. Within a few minutes my son was catching crappies. As soon as we got home he was right on the computer looking for Bret on IDO. Thank you Bret for making his day!

    Nice touch Bret

  14. Big G,

    I have a Sedona 2500FB on my stick used for the Esox family.

    On my jig sticks for the pannies I use the Pflueger President Micro spinning reels.

    Both are very reliable and I’m glad to have them in my arsenal

    Jeff,

    Thank you but you know if it would have been any of us here, the same thing would have been done. IDO is full of great people wanting others to enjoy the sport of fishing

  16. Abe,
    Ihave known Bret for just a couple of years, but from the first time fishing with him, I knew he was a freind and an outdoorsman.

    Bret, Thanks for keeping Sportsmanship in outdoor activity.

  17. Quote:

    For those of you who have never had the opportunity to meet Bret in person I would just like to say what a true sportsman he is. I had the opportunity to meet him on the ice on Saturday. I had my 8 yr-old son along and no matter what I did I could not get into the fish. Bret realized my son’s frustration and after awhile Bret called my son over to his fishing spot, handed him his fishing pole, and taught him how to read his Marcum. Within a few minutes my son was catching crappies. As soon as we got home he was right on the computer looking for Bret on IDO. Thank you Bret for making his day!

  25. Great report Bret.

    Welcome to IDO Abe. I have a feeling you and your son will catching a lot more fish after finding IDO.

  27. Quote:

    For those of you who have never had the opportunity to meet Bret in person I would just like to say what a true sportsman he is. I had the opportunity to meet him on the ice on Saturday. I had my 8 yr-old son along and no matter what I did I could not get into the fish. Bret realized my son’s frustration and after awhile Bret called my son over to his fishing spot, handed him his fishing pole, and taught him how to read his Marcum. Within a few minutes my son was catching crappies. As soon as we got home he was right on the computer looking for Bret on IDO. Thank you Bret for making his day!

    Cool story! Welcome to Abe and your son as well! We’re glad to have you at IDO.

  29. Great report Bret!

    Welcome to IDO Abe! That’s what this site is all about – helping one another.

  33. Great report Bret. Welcome to the site Abe and son. Hope you enjoy the new mercom.

    Bret. What do you think of that little heater you have in the photo?


  34. Quote:

    Bret. What do you think of that little heater you have in the photo?

    That is neutron’s heater and I do believe he likes it, it sure uses it allot

    I will make sure he chimes in and gives you his opinion of the heater Mike

  37. Quote:

    Bret. What do you think of that little heater you have in the photo?

    I have always used open flame heaters. The heater works great, it will keep you warm no mater the temp outside. The one in the picture is a Coleman, but Primus also makes them. They are a pretty reasonable heat source. You have to be more attentive where you put them in relation to your line and the shack fabric. As you can see in the picture, I had the LX-3 in one hole and I was fishing with two poles in my PRO and there was plenty of room.

    Just my preference, hope that answers your question.

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