First outing of the winter

[FreshwaterPhil]

Finally got out to do some fishing for the first time in 2 months. I'd say this is about the longest spell I've gone without fishing in over 15 years.  20+ bass to start my winter, and some big perch as well.

   

       

Blog post with the stats/details is up at: https://www.montreal-fishing.com/2023/12/first-ice-fishing-outing-of-winter.html

[skifisher]

Well done Sir…congrats, and thanks for the “fish porn!”

[Splattypus]

Nice fish!

I was out on a walk yesterday between rain storms, looking at the river, wishing I had brought my rods out.  Not a cube of ice nor flake of snow to be seen, but judging by the water there were fish just itching to be caught as bad as I was to catch them

[SLAYERFISH]

nice, Phil!  'Jeet 'em?

[FreshwaterPhil]

nice, Phil!  'Jeet 'em?

Pan fried a perch and largie for breakfast this morning.

I cull small largies out of that lake every time I fish it, they were illegally stocked at some point, and decimated the smallmouth population. Perch are very wormy, maybe 1 or 2 out of 10 are clean enough to keep. Pity, lots of jumbos in there.

Largies perfect eating size from 12 to 14 inches, rare to get any over 16 in that lake.

[FreshwaterPhil]

Nice fish!

I was out on a walk yesterday between rain storms, looking at the river, wishing I had brought my rods out.  Not a cube of ice nor flake of snow to be seen, but judging by the water there were fish just itching to be caught as bad as I was to catch them

Not much safe ice anywhere near here either. This small lake is about 100 miles North of where I live, and the bigger lake next to it is half open water. I had 7-8 inches of ice though, didn't need the spud bar.

[DowneastPescador]

Nice fish, they love that little rattle bait huh?

[FreshwaterPhil]

Nice fish, they love that little rattle bait huh?

Crazy how aggressive they get over it, especially when there are more than 2 fish on the spot. That was the only lure I used all day, and during the course of a season, I probably spend 75-80% of my time with that lure, following up with jigging raps if chasers don't take the rattle bait.

[reddog11]

Very nice

[DowneastPescador]

Crazy how aggressive they get over it, especially when there are more than 2 fish on the spot. That was the only lure I used all day, and during the course of a season, I probably spend 75-80% of my time with that lure, following up with jigging raps if chasers don't take the rattle bait.

Pretty cool, I generally associate those colors with saltwater fishing but I see it’s a killer. Mind sharing the brand and size? The Maine smallies should dig it.
Cheers

[FreshwaterPhil]

It's the smallest Yozuri Rattle n vibe, r1159. I've used the medium one as well, and both in a few colors, blue/silver, gold/black. I never found that color made any difference with them under ice, the action and rattle seems to be the main trigger.

Here are the Yozuri specs:

R1159   Sinking   2-1/8"   55   3/8   10.5
R1160   Sinking   2-1/2"   65   5/8   17