LAKE GEORGE BS THREAD

[mealworm]

Im going to be there anyways.  If you have stones that big id do it.  I did -6 with 8-10 winds all night.  I used my heater and 2 carbon monoxide detectors.

The incentive is doing something challenging and being front and center as soon as the sun comes up.  You have to want to do it and there are some skills needed to prevent hypothermia. 

My stuff is ready Logan.

the temp don't bother me but that wind wot be any fun

[hunts2long]

I don't know mealworm, it is getting pretty cold....lol....h2l

[JJ]

1/3/2003, caught this laker on this date 15 years ago. Jigged up in 30 feet of water on 4 lb test, and I was targetting lakers. Was below 0 when we got out, high was 3F. Surprisingly with all the cold we've had there is still open water there today.

[sjord89]

Badass looking laker JJ

[JJ]

Badass looking laker JJ

Thanks Steve. Craig took the pic with a film camera.

[JJ]

The lake is frozen from the Village to Diamond Point. There is a small patch of open water near the LG Club, and a narrow channel of open water in the middle that widens from there, all open off the mouth of Basin Bay to Pilot Knob north to the Narrrows and NW Bay is open past Crown Is.

Checked out Diamond Point Dock on Lake Ave., no safe access with the dock bubblers, new boathouse was built just to the north, also.

[mealworm]

Thanx for the report JJ. Wonder what's going to happen to the ice with the wind that's forecast....

[mealworm]

I don't know mealworm, it is getting pretty cold....lol....h2l

lol

[lockdown199]

I’m out at vets park right now and it is absolutely terrible.  I haven’t marked one fish.  5 to 6 inches of ice in the bay. I guess it’s better than working today

Guy on the conditions page said the same.

[iloveacrappiedinner]

What's everyone's opinion on hole size? I only have a 6" auger right now. I've caught plenty of mid 20s lakers in open water and all of them would have fit in a 6" hole. The upper 20s ones would be tight, but they would fit. Do I really need to go out and buy an 8" auger? It would stink hooking a 30"+ fish and not being able to get it through the hole. I know with a 6" hole it'll be tougher to get them turned up it, but I hate buying another auger just for the few times I might target lake trout.

[SSmokinn SS]

6” hole is fine for the majority of the fish you will catch on LG. You would be surprised the size fish you can pull through a 6” hole... just takes a little more skill or patience to steer their head into it (as you mentioned)

[Fontona19]

6” hole is fine for the majority of the fish you will catch on LG. You would be surprised the size fish you can pull through a 6” hole... just takes a little more skill or patience to steer their head into it (as you mentioned)

Agreed. As long as they are hooked well you should be able to fit them through a 6" hole. Problem is when they aren't hooked well you will probably lose some due to trying to steer them in.

[Neil McCauley]

I like 8" for a couple reasons 1. tip-up holes don't freeze over as quickly, and the hole shrinking over the course of a day doesn't matter as much. I mostly jig but I like to put out a few tip ups for the hell of it.

2. Also a lot easier to land a big laker on 2lb line with a 8" hole vs 6". Less rubbing around the edges and easier to get them to the surface. On LG I always seem to hook a laker while I'm after perch. Not really just about fitting them thru the diameter hole it's about not wasting an hour trying to land them or breaking them off.

[JAGER61]

In the past when using a 6” Auger with my cordless drill I would drill 3 holes in a triangular shape so that each slightly overlap, sort of like the Olympic Rings! Makes a nice big hole you can practically fit a bowling ball through! Even two holes side by side overlapping will be plenty! 😃
MK

[iloveacrappiedinner]

Thanks for the advice. It seems like my assumption are right. I can get by with a 6" auger. I might lose a fish or 2 at the hole getting them turned, and might need to take a little extra time getting them in, but it's not crazy doing it. Eventually when I get a powered unit I'll get the 8", but for now I can make the 6" work.

[ziggy6]

Has anyone been out by Hearthstone ?  was wondering what the ice was like there and also if gate is open/ hill plowed?  Thank you for any info....

[prchslyr]

I scooped up that new Nero auger that HT put out this year in a 7".
I need more time to claim it cuts better than a Finbore or Nils, but I will say that jigging through a 7" hole is an absolute game changer. No one likes cutting an 8" by hand. 7" seems to be a beautiful sweet spot.
The design they used to fold the auger certainly trumps any other foldable auger. I don't get paid by these guys, but I think some of you will feel the same. 307 has them in. I'm scooping a 5" next week for perching. How well it works with the drill is yet to be determined.

[lockdown199]

8in, just about everything fits

[TimK]

Has anyone been out by Hearthstone ?  was wondering what the ice was like there and also if gate is open/ hill plowed?  Thank you for any info....

Did not check yesterday but as of Tuesday it was closed.  I would imagine it will be open for the weekend if it isn't already.

When the ice gets thicker than a foot, you'll be praising your 6er as you drill the hole, and cursing it as you try and get a laker thru. 

[Spoondangler]

Went to harris yesterday, 2 hookups all day, both 8-10 lb lakers (maybe the same fish) both got off at the hole, second time it broke my line.  Very frustrating start to my LG season.

[lowaccord66]

I’m out at vets park right now and it is absolutely terrible.  I haven’t marked one fish.  5 to 6 inches of ice in the bay. I guess it’s better than working today

Terrible bite at my desk in the office today....not marking a damn thing  .  Is it Saturday yet?

[bigredonice]

When the ice gets thicker than a foot, you'll be praising your 6er as you drill the hole, and cursing it as you try and get a laker thru.

extremely accurate statement

[Bassmaster16]

Anyone been off MDB? Looking to go to lake george for the first time and figured that would be a decent place to start. If anyone has any tips like depth to target for perch or lakers as a starter i can use the map from there. Always wanted to try it but want to be safe while doing it. Thanks

[fishyfishes]

Wonder what's going to happen to the ice with the wind that's forecast....

Same here!  There's no doubt that it's going lose ice, it's just a matter of how much?

[lowaccord66]

Same here!  There's no doubt that it's going lose ice, it's just a matter of how much?

It lost a good chunk. 8" once the ice gets thick for me!  Tanaka doesnt care how thick it gets....

[TRT]

MDB - fished there once, its a long walk to 60-70 fow guessing 3/4 mile.
Just an fyi

[Mikey Ice]

10 10 10 only
Bigger is better

[northernnyice]

extremely accurate statement
(Image removed from quote.)

Lol what do you drive???

[Fishmon]

Milwaukee drill with 9 amp battery and 8 inch Nils does not care how thick ice is.  Drill to China but keep your feet dry when it breaks through.

[perchinmybucket]

They make a 9? I thought I could never kill my 5 amp batteries....