1st Ice Bluegill

[gillcommander]

Ok...last year was the first year I really started ice fishig and now I am completely addicted. I didn't get going last year until after the first of the year and was able to find consistent fishing in about 20 fow for the entire year. I am finding lots of info in magazines and on the web that at first ice bluegill tend to be much shallower and was just wondering if anyone on here feels that way. Do you look for them around the closest weedbeds to shore you can find?

Any info will help!

[blufloyd]

One reason first ice bluegill are shallower is you can not access deeper water.
If only shallow bays support your weight the only first ice gills you catch are going to be?
Where? This is oxymoron logic at its best.

[wax_worm]

Bluegills will be near shallow weeds first ice as the weeds are still living an putting off oxygen and holding food.  As the ice thickens and gets snow cover, the light penetration is not enough for the weeds to stay alive.  As they die, they USE oxygen to decay and the bait and fish will leave them for deeper water.  If I were you, I would look for a weedy flat near the 20 ft area where you caught them last winter.  They should be there early ice.

[gillcommander]

thanks wax worm...good advice for a moron like me!!!

[High Tide]

Bluegills will be near shallow weeds first ice as the weeds are still living an putting off oxygen and holding food.  As the ice thickens and gets snow cover, the light penetration is not enough for the weeds to stay alive.  As they die, they USE oxygen to decay and the bait and fish will leave them for deeper water.  If I were you, I would look for a weedy flat near the 20 ft area where you caught them last winter.  They should be there early ice.

BINGO!!! This wax_worm guy knows his bluegill, he probably has a few in his bathtub for research and development!! 

[rico]

Yes waxie is on it!  But what blufloyd stated has a degree of truth.  I target shallower water early in the season with safety on my mind.   

[SLABSLAMMER]

WOW ! Very good question ! And he's a moron ??

[rico]

WOW ! Very good question ! And he's a moron ??

I do believe he used the term "oxymoronic".  We need an English teacher to discuss if it was used in the proper context!!!!!!!!!

[royjulius]

No, it wasn't. Oxymoron means contradictory. I believe on this context we are looking at an example of "Acham's Razor", meaning "the simplest answer is probably the correct one." I learned that from watching an episode of The Simpsons.

I agree with what was said above that your first panfish will be wherever you found them in the warmer temps. I go out with my Marcum camera in the early fall and idle around in my boat looking for panfish that I know will be there at 1st ice. It really works well and is another reason to get a camera.

[icejunky]

When it comes to gill fishing I use my camera more then my vex, I look for weed beds and nice trails in the weeds, they work like a gill highway.

I'm usually fishing in about 12 feet, drill a ton of holes then drop the camera till ya find them

[rico]

And who said the Simpsons wasnt an educational program!!!!!!!!!!!! "Acham's Razor".......I havent heard that in twenty years.

[rjflynn]

And who said the Simpsons wasnt an educational program!!!!!!!!!!!! "Acham's Razor".......I havent heard that in twenty years.

Rico it has been more htan twenty years since you have been in school

[rico]

Rico it has been more htan twenty years since you have been in school

25 to be precise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Boomer]

Rico - I have been teaching longer than that! I can see that important things learned in school are still being used today!

[rico]

Did I mention that I am 25 years old!!!!!!!!!!!

[kcskypilot]

This is oxymoron logic at its best.

Being a moron is a bad thing??? I was getting offended that he called him an ox!

[rico]

Being a moron is a bad thing??? I was getting offended that he called him an ox!

LMAO!!!!!!!!!