IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Massachusetts => Ice Fishing Massachusetts => Topic started by: SkunkLuvver on Feb 14, 2018, 10:20 PM
-
Going up with a couple friends March 8-10 and looking for some pointers.
This will be our second trip up there. We went a couple years ago but still didn’t have power augers so were hand drilling through 28 inches of ice.. needless to say we didn’t take full advantage of the situation ;D
Now we have a couple augers, a flasher and a 2 more years experience with us so wanna do it right.
One of my goals is to catch a decent pike on a jig rod.. thinking a largish spoon with a half a shiner on it but open to suggestions if anyone has em.
Also, what depths would be best then? I’m assuming the edges of the shallows would be the place to be as they stage up for the big orgy? I’m sure Bruce will steer us the right direction but looking for input.
Last time we were getting them along the drop off in 12 ish feet of water but that was mid February.
I know a number of folks on here go up there so if you care to share your experience I’m all ears.
Excited isn’t even the word for what I’m feeling. :tipup: :tipup:
-
I'll be up there the same weekend. We usually run long lines of tips from shallow to deep and then adjust from there depending on the action. Dillenbeck bay is just up the road and is a good option if things are slow at holiday harbor. Bruce is excellent at pointing you in the right direction with some local knowledge. just hope for good weather!
-
Fish away from Bruces up north near Missquoi and you'll do a lot better. Avoid large groups and the well known spots and the fishing is usually unreal. I was up there (not bruces, slept on the ice) last weekend and found lots of good water being ignored. Going back up Saturday. Found most of our pike in 5 to 8 fow. Jigging pike I use the same thing I use for lakers. 36" mh and a jighead and paddle tail of some sort or rattletraps, ripping raps, stuff like that. Patience and lots of hole hopping will be needed or just jig perch and eventually youll nail one!
-
Dillenbeck gets pounded hard on weekends form now until the ice is gone. Agree with Jon. If its not fishing well in front of Bruce's head North. A lot of water up that way. I'm heading to Bruce's 2/21 for 5 days. Will post how we do.
-
here's an idea, find an area where you are getting pike on the tip-ups and the use the Finicky Fooler with your jig rod. You fish with the bail open and still get the fun/challenge of setting the hook. I was in Tupper NY 3 weeks ago and was using 10 of them between the 7 of us and it was so much fun catching on the Foolers. They happen to have a great sale going also. I use 2 or three every time I fish now.
(https://s18.postimg.cc/8j103pyth/1_21_prindle_fooler.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8j103pyth/)
Here's a pike on a fooler
(https://s18.postimg.cc/gbrnvq7dh/tupper_5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/gbrnvq7dh/)
https://finickyfooler.com/
-
here's an idea, find an area where you are getting pike on the tip-ups and the use the Finicky Fooler with your jig rod. You fish with the bail open and still get the fun/challenge of setting the hook. I was in Tupper NY 3 weeks ago and was using 10 of them between the 7 of us and it was so much fun catching on the Foolers. They happen to have a great sale going also. I use 2 or three every time I fish now.
(https://s18.postimg.cc/8j103pyth/1_21_prindle_fooler.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8j103pyth/)
Here's a pike on a fooler
(https://s18.postimg.cc/gbrnvq7dh/tupper_5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/gbrnvq7dh/)
https://finickyfooler.com/
Seems expensive to me.
-
They are much cheaper than the automatic fisherman or jaw jackers. these seem to be popular here and good tip-ups are 30-40 dollars. They are only worth it if you like reeling in by hand on a rod and reel but are a blast. The owner Tom is a great guy and he is going to sponser on the Shanty next year.
-
Thanks for the replies!
I don’t think I’ll be buying any foolers before the trip but might see if I can rig up a couple in the shop.. I like the idea.
If things are slow at bruce’s we’ll definitely go exploring a bit.
Looking at an area off south hero that might be good for cold water species if we feel like some variety.
My guess is we’ll be goofing off in the shanties the whole time but we’ll see how motivated the rest of the crew is.
-
here's an idea, find an area where you are getting pike on the tip-ups and the use the Finicky Fooler with your jig rod. You fish with the bail open and still get the fun/challenge of setting the hook. I was in Tupper NY 3 weeks ago and was using 10 of them between the 7 of us and it was so much fun catching on the Foolers. They happen to have a great sale going also. I use 2 or three every time I fish now.
Had a little time to fiddle around tonight so came up with a test version. The trigger and rod placement are going to need some tweaking but the damn thing works!
Gonna take it out tomorrow and see if I can get something to try it out on.
Thanks for the idea... wouldn’t have pursued if you didn’t mention it.
(First try at posting pics so bear with)
(https://s18.postimg.cc/8j103pyth/1_21_prindle_fooler.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8j103pyth/)
Here's a pike on a fooler
(https://s18.postimg.cc/gbrnvq7dh/tupper_5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/gbrnvq7dh/)
https://finickyfooler.com/
(https://s17.postimg.cc/m205w8cff/029_ECF34-4648-4187-9052-_F569_CC565012.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/m205w8cff/)
-
It worked!
(Pardon the messy shop)
-
(https://s17.postimg.cc/761mor3mj/A264_FF5_A-_FF56-4887-80_D0-_E4817_B249850.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/761mor3mj/)
-
I just got back yesterday from a great trip up to Holiday Harbor. There was about 18-20 inches of ice behind Bruce's and we were able to drive right out onto the ice with our trucks. I fished over by the Christmas tree for a couple of days and had some good luck. I caught 7 Pike in 2 days, ranging from 20-30 inches. Caught them all on tip ups, with steel leaders. I had a couple set up with quick strike trebles and the rest large single circle hook. Be careful with the flouro leader if your main goal is Pike. I witnessed a few bite offs over the weekend. Good luck! Feel free to PM me with any other questions.
(https://s9.postimg.cc/g44iumenf/bruce_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/g44iumenf/)
(https://s9.postimg.cc/793ok3xkr/bruce_3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/793ok3xkr/)
(https://s9.postimg.cc/mul0434e3/bruce1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/mul0434e3/)
-
Nice job. Went north of Bruce's Saturday and had a rat pike fest. 100 flags, 40 pike landed largest maybe 35". Made for a busy day.
-
Nice job. Went north of Bruce's Saturday and had a rat pike fest. 100 flags, 40 pike landed largest maybe 35". Made for a busy day.
Thanks! The bite was on last weekend. My sore legs are reminding me today but worth every second of it.
-
I just got back yesterday from a great trip up to Holiday Harbor. There was about 18-20 inches of ice behind Bruce's and we were able to drive right out onto the ice with our trucks. I fished over by the Christmas tree for a couple of days and had some good luck. I caught 7 Pike in 2 days, ranging from 20-30 inches. Caught them all on tip ups, with steel leaders. I had a couple set up with quick strike trebles and the rest large single circle hook. Be careful with the flouro leader if your main goal is Pike. I witnessed a few bite offs over the weekend. Good luck! Feel free to PM me with any other questions.
Thanks for the report, sounds like a great time!
-
Be careful with the flouro leader if your main goal is Pike. I witnessed a few bite offs over the weekend.
Steal is real baby! I've been preaching it for well over a decade.
Fun Trip :tipup:
-
Steal is real baby! I've been preaching it for well over a decade.
Fun Trip :tipup:
Yup. Last trip I ran steal and snelled 25# floro. No bite offs with single hooks! Then again they were mostly rats. Ironically one didn't outfish the other.
-
Steal is real baby! I've been preaching it for well over a decade.
Fun Trip :tipup:
I've never caught a pike on steel leader but have landed pike up to 18lbs on fluoro. I'm sure I'll lose one on fluoro eventually but I'd rather the opportunity to lose one than not get a flag at all.
-
I fish steel on dead baits and mono on live.
Only ever lost one pike to a bite off on mono - and I would tend to say that’s what I prefer (more action, I feel)
But there’s no doubt when my dead bait flag goes off, I am much more confident with a steel rig.
Both have advantages/disadvantages.
Like with so much in fishing, I personally think whatever you feel more confident in is what you should go with.
-
I've never caught a pike on steel leader but have landed pike up to 18lbs on fluoro. I'm sure I'll lose one on fluoro eventually but I'd rather the opportunity to lose one than not get a flag at all.
First off, fish what you have confidence in. Don't listen to me or any one else.
That being said, I get your philosophy of more flags but 1: I am not convinced one out fishes the other, particularly with larger fish, and 2: I'm in it for the trophy, I've caught plenty in the high teens and a few that broke twenty but I'm still hunting that monster and I could not stand the heart break if he bit me off at the hole.
I have seen heavy duty flouro separated by Pike more times than I can count and that includes a half dozen members here on the shanty. I just wont take that risk.
-
I have seen 80lb floro chopped 2x.
-
First off, fish what you have confidence in. Don't listen to me or any one else.
That being said, I get your philosophy of more flags but 1: I am not convinced one out fishes the other, particularly with larger fish, and 2: I'm in it for the trophy, I've caught plenty in the high teens and a few that broke twenty but I'm still hunting that monster and I could not stand the heart break if he bit me off at the hole.
I have seen heavy duty flouro separated by Pike more times than I can count and that includes a half dozen members here on the shanty. I just wont take that risk.
Were you out on the cove on Sunday evening? I got there at like 4 and fished until 11. Was hoping to possibly get a walleye or night time pike but we didn't get a flag. We jigged up some massive gills and a couple decent crappie though. It was a fun evening until the gf lost her phone down the hole. She lost it in 2 feet of snow on LG the week prior and found it. You'd figure she would learn her lesson and be more careful. I guess the phone just wanted it to end.
-
At least she was fishing with you Pat!
-
At least she was fishing with you Pat!
Yeah she's been a trooper so far this year. She hadnt never been fishing outside of a couple of times as a young child. After the first time couple traps she took over baiting and setting her own tip ups and taking the fish off the hook, outside of those nasty pickerel. I get to tango with those slippery SOBs.
-
Dillenbeck gets pounded hard on weekends form now until the ice is gone. Agree with Jon. If its not fishing well in front of Bruce's head North. A lot of water up that way. I'm heading to Bruce's 2/21 for 5 days. Will post how we do.
How’d it go? Ice holding up okay?
-
How’d it go? Ice holding up okay?
Ice is going quick! You should probably call ahead
-
How’d it go? Ice holding up okay?
access areas are getting killed. bring a plank. They need a cold stretch to tighten things up.
-
That’s what I was worried about but more or less expecting. We’re not headed up till the 8th and looking at the forecast things won’t be any better.
Did he still have the shanties our toward the bay or were they in close?
Any tales of fish glory?
-
That’s what I was worried about but more or less expecting. We’re not headed up till the 8th and looking at the forecast things won’t be any better.
Did he still have the shanties our toward the bay or were they in close?
Any tales of fish glory?
Shanties were out when we got there. I rented one the 1st day. He pulled all the shanties off by saturday. They are off for the rest of the year now. Fishing was slowest we have seen. We did get several though. Not many rats for our group this year. Well at least by Champlain standards. My biggest was 9.7lbs. We might do a day trip in March if the ice holds. Did that 2 years ago and iced over a 100 in a day. A lot of driving but well worth it. I got to upload from my phone to Postimage.org and I'll put up a post with a few pictures. Did not take a lot this year.
-
Might go Saturday Jeff. Last trip it took me 25 hours from leavung to getting back home. Snowstorm slowed me a bit.
-
Might go Saturday Jeff. Last trip it took me 25 hours from leavung to getting back home. Snowstorm slowed me a bit.
I know the feeling. Snow and ice Sunday for us on the way home from the Islands until Springfield VT. 89 and 91 were very slippery. Saw several spin outs and roll overs. Good luck if you go up.
-
Thanks bud. Will let you know. Anyone brave enough to still drive on?
-
I was heading home sunday as well, very slow drive back. Fishing was good with a few in the ten pound range and a bunch of 5-7 pounders. Had about 16 inches of ice and hoping that it holds on for a few more weeks. Ran 50lb flouro leader material and in four days of fishing only had one chew through, it think its worth the trade off for more flags but thats just my 2 cents
-
Thanks bud. Will let you know. Anyone brave enough to still drive on?
There were some trucks out there. Plenty of ice but it was the access that was wasted. We broke thru twice with the ATV's Had to lift and push the back wheels onto the ice.
-
Good to know. Truck planking is fun and adventurous. :o
-
truck planking...sounds like a new winter olympic event!!!
-
Went up 2/24 and 2/25. sat we got 16 pike a bass and lost a bowfin at the hole. sun we got 5 total with 1 big one. edges are questionable. got my friend his first pike. a great moment
-
Awesome!
One of the guys going with us is a newb (got his first set of tip ups for x-mas) so can’t wait to see him pull something toothy through the hole.
We’re “adjusting” our expectations cuz of conditions but know we’ll manage to make it work.
Just hoping they don’t get a dumping of fresh snow before we get there... kinda like to be able to see the sketchy spots :-\
-
Went up 2/24 and 2/25. sat we got 16 pike a bass and lost a bowfin at the hole. sun we got 5 total with 1 big one. edges are questionable. got my friend his first pike. a great moment
Could have used your help the Saturday before...2 guys 12 traps and we couldn't keep up. Now flipping a coin between a return trip or lakers...decisions, decisions...
-
Might go Saturday Jeff. Last trip it took me 25 hours from leavung to getting back home. Snowstorm slowed me a bit.
Hey Jon ,Jeff is complaining about Missiquoi bay being a long ride.
You must have gotten a chuckle with that comment.
That's around the corner to you even though it's farther for you.
-
Hey Jon ,Jeff is complaining about Missiquoi bay being a long ride.
You must have gotten a chuckle with that comment.
That's around the corner to you even though it's farther for you
-
You know Dick, when I get to be Jeff's age I may complain too! Granted I don't post enough about the travel stories. For example the camping trip the week before...on the ride back Sunday I pulled off on a side road, middle of nowhere to relieve myself. Well I pulled to far over, and put half the truck in a mean ditch. The snow plow had leveled the snow so it looked like shoulder but it wasn't. My buddy couldn't get out of the passenger side, the door was buried and the truck was leaning hard to the right. We had a shovel for driving on the lake and it took about 45 minutes to dig out. Nothing broken accept my ego and a timely ride home...
Then weekend before last we fished I bit later than I had planned for a day trip...subsequently the snow met us in the middle of VT and we ended up gaining about 2 hours in travel time doing 30 behind plows. When we finally got back to CT my buddy wanted Wendy's terribly and I almost got rear ended by a guy sliding out of control, then no more than 1/4 down the road encounteted a wrong way driver. The snow plow next to us drove straight towards him plow down, until the guy drove on the median. Crazy stuff that goes along with all the travel.
-
You know Dick, when I get to be Jeff's age I may complain too! Granted I don't post enough about the travel stories. For example the camping trip the week before...on the ride back Sunday I pulled off on a side road, middle of nowhere to relieve myself. Well I pulled to far over, and put half the truck in a mean ditch. The snow plow had leveled the snow so it looked like shoulder but it wasn't. My buddy couldn't get out of the passenger side, the door was buried and the truck was leaning hard to the right. We had a shovel for driving on the lake and it took about 45 minutes to dig out. Nothing broken accept my ego and a timely ride home...
Then weekend before last we fished I bit later than I had planned for a day trip...subsequently the snow met us in the middle of VT and we ended up gaining about 2 hours in travel time doing 30 behind plows. When we finally got back to CT my buddy wanted Wendy's terribly and I almost got rear ended by a guy sliding out of control, then no more than 1/4 down the road encounteted a wrong way driver. The snow plow next to us drove straight towards him plow down, until the guy drove on the median. Crazy stuff that goes along with all the travel.
Safe travels Jon. I'm waiting for you to stick in a surprise fly rod Tarpon trip weekend. ;D
-
Hey Jon ,Jeff is complaining about Missiquoi bay being a long ride.
You must have gotten a chuckle with that comment.
That's around the corner to you even though it's farther for you
Its never the ride up that gets long. Only the ride home. LOL. I'll be making a day trip up in March if the ice holds ;D ;D ;D.
-
By any chance did you get some looks at carrie bay? We had planned on staying at a friends house next weekend but this isn't sound that well..
-
Its never the ride up that gets long. Only the ride home. LOL. I'll be making a day trip up in March if the ice holds ;D ;D ;D.
if you do, jeff I wanna go
-
if you do, jeff I wanna go
Let's plan something. Ill let you both know how things look when I get back.
I dont fish Carry myself and haven't seen since the weekend before last.
-
if you do, jeff I wanna go
Ok Bill I'll let you know.
Carry bay had quite a few on it Sunday. The access by the small campground still looked good. You can get some good fish there but try to get out towards the main lake a bit away from where you get on.
-
2nd what Jeff said. Its a popular spot so best results will be further from the access.
-
Came up with a backup plan incase the bite sucks.. only trick will be making them last till the trip.
(https://s17.postimg.cc/fe1rrqmjf/DDAFC79_C-_F238-4853-_A509-_E1_A1_B16_F84_FB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fe1rrqmjf/)
-
12 haze, 12 bright and a few Sap.
Planking back at the end of the day should be interesting.
-
Does the cat in a box go too?
-
Does the cat in a box go too?
If the bait regs in VT were different, definitely.
Looks cute in the box but that cats a dik.
-
Came up with a backup plan incase the bite sucks.. only trick will be making them last till the trip.
(https://s17.postimg.cc/fe1rrqmjf/DDAFC79_C-_F238-4853-_A509-_E1_A1_B16_F84_FB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fe1rrqmjf/)
LOL. The bite was slower than usual for our trip but the 30 packs kept disappearing ;D ;D
-
Love it SkunkLuvver! Not even going to tell you how many of each I have LOL. also missing from the picture is the SAP and German Pilsner which I just picked up Tuesday!
(https://s14.postimg.cc/az52inop9/Resized_20180223_200403.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/az52inop9/)
-
I enjoy flavors of things. They are all shades of green though. I drove to much to enjoy alcohol correctly. ;D
-
I enjoy flavors of things. They are all shades of green though. I drove to much to enjoy alcohol correctly. ;D
We’ll be bringing a few shades of green along too ;)
-
We’ll be bringing a few shades of green along too ;)
Goes hand in hand I think.