My Last Ice Trip This Season Pool 8 March 17th 09

With rising temps and a forecast of 69 degrees and rain coming by night, Tuesday looked like the last chance for me to hit the ice before giving in and calling it a season. With the approach too a rotting shoreline in an area that has seen no others but Mike C and myself in well over a week, it was obvious….. if I made it on the ice it was going to be a wet ride home after trying to get back off the ice. After thinking things through and knowing the bottom was hard and at worst the ice water would be just above the belt, a leap from land to the hard stuff was made causing ice to buckle from under the boots but a safe entrance was made without getting too wet and I was standing top side Yep, it’s going to be a wet ride home

There was no need for the auger this trip, the 8 inch holes that were punched on Friday and Saturday with the StrikeMaster now were 9-10inch foam filled holes with water pouring into the majority of them. As in the last report the spot being fished is 15-22fow with a slight current along a flat. This spot was still holding a large number of 10-11inch crappies and some nice perch staging for spawn, all of which were dragging there bellies on bottom. With the pink/white demon jig being the preference the last two outings and still being on one of the lines it was the first offering dropped only to be picked up in a very finicky way by a couple fish. After changing things up a few times the favorite baits this trip by Custom Jigs and Spins ended up being a #4 Fire Tiger Demon Jigging Spoon tipped with a minnow head, and coming in 2nd and pulling its own weight was a #8 Pink Ratso with no meat. The bites were still the same as the last trip also, spoon feeding the crappies and hold on tight when the orange fins came through.

The Fire Tiger Demon Jigging Spoon also enticed this 28inch male snot rocket. The battle wasn’t as long and hard as the brute from Friday but none the less, still a blast on the UL equipment with 4lb Trilene on this set up This is a bonus fish and the right fish for pour mans lobster in my book
The day started to wind down around 3PM which was 2 tins of waxies and a scoop of minnows later. Keeping just enough perch (averaging sizes pictured below) to top off the perch filets kept from the last 2 outings and another mess of crappies, it was time to just sit back and take in the last feel and look around the fast thawing frozen H2O The mating calls of the Cardinal were ripping out and the return of Robins could be heard in the distance. Sounds that are a sure sign it is time to get the boat ready The 2008-2009 ice season is in the book, and a good one it was. There were some tough days and the size of fish seemed to run a little smaller at times than the 2007-2008 season but, there were still a lot of great moments shared on the ice with great friends and the making of some new friends as well this season.

OK, as for the trip off the ice As the shoreline was approached it looked like there was 50 yards of open water to cross It was only 10 yards but it was a pockets deep 10 yards. A half hearted attempt was made to step on a ice chunk half way but it was a sad attempt at that…….yep, as expected, I was wet to the gonads You might ask me…..Was it worth it? Your darn right it was

I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to read and respond to the reports this season As all Staff, Reporters and Posters, love to hear your comments
I also hope my reply’s to any PM’s this year were useful …I enjoy the questions and PM’s…..keep em comin’ members

Good luck fishing people