Saturday was a great day to get out on the ice, so that’s what we did. I was lucky enough to meet fellow IDOer Hank (HanktheCrank) and headed out with his father in law Walt, and another young up and coming outdoorsman Brett. These guys are real pros, so since it was my first time running tip ups, I was excited to learn something new.
Hank started drilling holes with his new Strikemaster Solo series 3hp drill, and wow does that thing just buzz right thru the ice. We only had about 11-12" of ice, so it was really no match for the Solo. We set up as many tip ups as we could with smelt and kicked back waiting for action. It wasn’t very long and Walt had this nice pike that went 30". The fish were sporadic, but kept hitting once in a while. Quite a few hammer handles were brought up on the ice and sent back down the hole, but they were still a good time. As this 2nd 30 incher will attest, you never knew what kind of fish was making the flag go up and reel spin.
As the day moved on, the bite really slowed around noon. Brett and Hank busted out the jigging rods and managed to get a few perch in. Most were small, but Brett did get one nice one to fall for his jig. We don’t have a lot of perch lakes in Nebraska, so they can make for a fun change of pace.
When we thought the bite was about done, a flag went and I soon found a fish that wasn’t ready to come in. He wasn’t a monster by any means, but at 33", he was the nicest of the day, and biggest pike I have touched in years. I think each of us had a nice pike on that came unhooked as well, so it was nice being able to get a few of them in. I’d guess that we had about 18-20 pike on the ice all day. Even though the pros may have thought it was a pedestrian day, I thought it was a great day and I was happy to learn something new. Thanks a lot for taking me, guys!
Here are a couple more pics from our outing. There’s no place like the Nebraska Sandhills.
Thanks for the post and you’re always welcome at our camp. Yea I need to get the videos up, had to fish again this morning and have some jet lag this afternoon, hopefullly get them done tonight. Thanks again, Hank. Rock On!
As you might say, “gee…I’d like to say I feel sorry for you, but….”
You are truly hardcore, Hank!
Now you are hooked dude. You will never be the same. Once you get the sandhills in your blood you can never go back to be a flat lander.
Sure has been nice knowing you Brian …………….. good bye old buddy.
Nice report Brian! This has got to be the first time you’ve ice fished before I’ve got out. I’m jealous!
Nice pike, and report!!
Sounds like some pretty good action for tip-up fishing.
Nice report Brian!
Great job Brian. It’s been quite a few years since I’ve done a pike trip out west. It sure is a good time and the kids really think it’s a blast. I was out and about this weekend too but didn’t venture too far from home. We’ll have to get together on the ice here in the coming weeks.
Those look like some real nice Nebraska snakes
Did you talk to anybody else while you were up there on any “HOT” lakes right now?
Thanks guys!
Isn’t it crazy Chad? Just having this kind of thick ice this early in the year around here is nuts itself.
Did talk to a few locals up there and it sounds like there were some fish being caught all over the sandhills. Sounds like all the locals together fishing up there really is their own little community.
Sounds real good Ben, I’m game. This weekend I’ll have Sat Sun Mon Tues off….let’s get out there!
Great post Bryan. Glad to see you finally getting acclimated to real fishing. Let me know if you need some tip ups. I think I have about 20 of them right now.
Matt