Pool 8 Last Stand Ice Report 2011

With the ice season coming to an end and the last trips for panfish slow and running small, it was time to change things up. Catching big numbers of fish was not expected during the quest but the hopes of a few good battles with heavy weights would be icing on the cake for the next couple weeks.
Armed with large shiners, tip ups, large walleye minnows and, 1/4oz slender spoons from CJ&S the adventure for any predator swimming below the ice began.

The areas to be targeted are proven hunting grounds for Bass and Pike. Water depths of 5-12feet holding bait fish year round and near spawn sites was the main focus in hopes of finding hungry toothy critters and wide Large Mouths on the prowl.
Sticking with large baits played on my mind while pulling targets on the MarCum LX-5 without takers, could these be big crappies, maybe perch, should I down size and try to catch some fish? After 2 hours into the hunt on day one it happened. The fattest red line seen yet appeared under the Silver/Lime 1/4oz spoon sporting a walleye minnow. With a snap up and drop the mark rose closer to the offering. A couple nervous twitches after the pause was more than the hunter couldn’t resist and the spoon was pounded producing a fat healthy 18inch green fish. This was all it took to get my head back in the game and continue using the larger baits with confidence. Jig sticks and bigger fish always equals fun x2 !!

The rest of the day produced a few flags only to have the shiner dropped and 2 other shorter Bass. It was a start and the one battle with a toad made me want to tangle with another big fish all the more.

Day 2, in a different area with all the same makings as the first and the same offerings rigged, there again was the anticipation of a good wrestling match with a big finned critter. I was joined by Mikehd and his brother-in-law Mike. The Mike’s were concentrating on the panfish while I still was looking for another hook up with a flag or rod bender.

The first flag up in 10fow near a run off was waving proudly only to be dropped. Within the hour it once again signaled a strike which produced a snot rocket. Reloaded and set back to a depth 2 foot off bottom it took hours for the next hit but once again the flag was waving get your butt over here. It looked like a good sign, a slow and steady turning spindle. Not a screamer which is normally caused from hammer handles trying to run and hide with there finding. Once the fish stopped after the first run the tip up was picked up while the line was grabbed to see if anything could be felt on the other end. The fingers sent messages to the brain letting me know something was on the chew and while watching the line it was obvious whatever had a hold of the large shiner was now making a circle and in no hurry. After what seemed like a very long time of cat and mouse the line started to once again steadily go through the fingers. The hook was set and at once without doubt Mike and I knew there was a nice fish on the other end. Finally a good hook up with a respectable river wolf. The day finished with a total of 6 flags for myself and 2 for Mikehd. The pike were there but seemed as finicky as the panfish bite has been lately. There still however was a sign that this area was holding game fish and should be given another chance.

Wednesday night after work and still looking for the monster fish, one flag flew and yes, it was the big one. Tom Donaldson witnessed a grown man crying as the fish was lost to component failure. This weekend 3/19/11 Saturday was the day I was heading right back in the same area and getting my hook back.

First thing in the morning there were 3 flags within 20 minutes producing 2 small slimmer’s. I was then joined by Tom and neutron, neutron was on a panfish mission and then Blue followed. We were then joined by Troy and his daughter Megan. They all did very well on the pannies ( Blue’s Report ) but I could not bring myself too pull a shiner from the water. One more juvenile was caught and that was the end of the day. Looking at everyone’s rewarding fish fry’s the plan was to make Sunday a day of jiggin’ up treats for the fry pan myself.

Woken by a pouring rain before the alarm went off there was two things that became evident, 1; I’m going to get a wet butt and 2; with the shape the ice was in this would be my last trip.

Once arriving at the hunting grounds it looked like there was enough rain over night that it might not be possible to get onto the ice. The shoreline was leaving in a hurry with the warm weather and rising river. After some hiking around and finding some big rocks, stepping stones were placed trying to keep dry feet while getting on top of the frozen slab. The top was soft but there was a good 8-10 inches of ice below that.
Finally neutron and I were out and quickly buttoned up the shacks. The rain fell hard and at a steady pace but the Otter Ice Cottage kept me and my gear warm, dry and out of the wind. There was going to be no hole hopping on this day.

A Froggie colored Diamond Jig tipped with a waxie was the first to drop below the LX-5 puck in 8fow. Lines raced from bottom and a 8+ inch gill was the first top side. Remember all the time I was spending before this try to get the biggun’s……well what a treat and a surprise in store. The next fish to take the waxie waving on the diamond jig was a 18inch walleye. Then I learned neutron also had a walleye. This got the wheels in the head spinning once again. Should I be changing up? Was that just a fluke? I really don’t want to miss out on the opportunity for a fish fry my last ice trip out. But I did it, put the 2lb away, went back to spoons tipped with minnow heads and, brought out the 4lb still using the UL ST. Croix hoping to be dancin’ with the piggies!

What a dance it was. By 11:30am there was another walleye at 19 inches added to the first and 6 just short eyes released. There were also 10 dandy 10-11 inch perch tossed into the bucket for dinner, and the big female just over 14inches pictured here who was released after a quick photo session so she could complete her mission in life. She deserved the release, she fought harder than either walleye and was brilliantly colored and marked. I was not only having fun with some tough line pulling machines but, there were also keepers staying top side for a ride to Sparta.

After receiving a call from neutron who left a little earlier giving me the word the shoreline was even in worse shape, it was best to go. A good 2 inches of ice had been removed from the rain and with an awesome fish fry put together there was no reason for sticking around and getting anymore wet. It was a great last ice bite on this day.
The wade between ice and shore was knee deep and short, not as bad as last years last ice trip
Another season is in the books. More friends made, lessons learned, and a lot of laughs shared, all on the ice. I can’t wait for next winter!!!!

Until then, keep cool fellow Iceheads