Post by: Iceshanty on Oct 27, 2008, 09:19 AM
Ice Fishing 101.4 Bluegill Search
(http://iceshanty.com/images/bluegill.jpg)Did this awhile back and many have requested I do it again so here we go. Click here to see the last search, Perch Search (http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=4507.0)
This is a real lake deep in the northwoods. This lake is a bluegill factory. It's a walk in/atv lake with no road access so it's see's most of the pressure during the winter months. Large schools of 8-10" Bluegills are prolific in the lake with small perch, nice bass and some northern pike. It's mid February, still cold with some days just breaking into the 30's for highs. Today the wind is calm and the skies are high and blue. The locals all know where to fish this lake. Actually you just need to look for the area that is cratered like the moon with holes! But you won't have this advantage we just had a foot of powder fall the night before and the lake is virgin, so you will need to use you lake map reading skills and your knowledge of bluegill habits to find the honey hole on this lake.
The names and locations have been change to protect the innocent.
This is a real lake deep in the northwoods. This lake is a bluegill factory. It's a walk in/atv lake with no road access so it's see's most of the pressure during the winter months. Large schools of 8-10" Bluegills are prolific in the lake with small perch, nice bass and some northern pike. It's mid February, still cold with some days just breaking into the 30's for highs. Today the wind is calm and the skies are high and blue. The locals all know where to fish this lake. Actually you just need to look for the area that is cratered like the moon with holes! But you won't have this advantage we just had a foot of powder fall the night before and the lake is virgin, so you will need to use you lake map reading skills and your knowledge of bluegill habits to find the honey hole on this lake.
The names and locations have been change to protect the innocent.
Lake Slabbo Info:(http://www.iceshanty.com/images/slobbolake.jpg)
Acres: 240
Max Depth: 20
Species: Northern Pike, Large Mouth Bass, Perch, Bluegill
Bottom Makeup: Silt, Sand, Marl, Submerged Vegetation
Water Clarity: Moderate
Acres: 240
Max Depth: 20
Species: Northern Pike, Large Mouth Bass, Perch, Bluegill
Bottom Makeup: Silt, Sand, Marl, Submerged Vegetation
Water Clarity: Moderate
The Mission:
Describe what you would do to find the motherload and how you would approach catching the adult bluegills that roam Lake Slabbo once you have found them.
I am looking for: Depths, locations, baits, technique and equipment.
The Prizes:
1st: Icegator Cap, Marcum Charger, Militia Trial Package
2nd: Marcum Cap, Marcum Battery Monitor, Militia Trial Package
3rd: Team Iceshanty Medium Profile Cap, Militia Trial Package.
4th: Bumper Sticker, Militia Trial Package.
5th: Militia Trial Package.
The Rules:
One entry allowed.
You may fish a maximum of three map locations.
All entries must be submitted by December 1st 2008 8:00pm cst
Thanks to Icegator and Marcum for the prizes! Remember there are no correct answers! I will judge based on my past experience on this lake, like fishing some of it will be skill and part of it luck.
Good Luck and please put the SLABBO gills back for me! ;)
-Scott
Post by: 1TIGGER on Oct 27, 2008, 10:12 AM
Work that depth within 100 yards both ways of the outlet .
Area 2 South Bay to Shibbs Creek inlet , same method as area 1
Area 3 Shibbs Bay to Johnnys creek inlet same method as areas 1 and 2
These area's will provide slow moving water and silt which will in turn provide unlimited supplies of plankton and blood worms for forage as well as a higher level of oxygenated water .
Post by: bart on Oct 27, 2008, 10:34 AM
1. Jack's Honey Hole would be my first attempt in the 15' range.
2. Old tom's Honey Hole, 15' area
3. Then Snake bay in the 10' area
Drill a lot of holes and check them with my Marcum VX-1, looking for weeds/fish.
Equipment: Primary setup Genz Stix GGZ2724 L, 4lb. line, and a Hali tipped with maggots.
Secondary setup a Genz stix GGZ2313 UL, 2lbs. line Fiskas jig with maggots.
Post by: perchhogslayer on Oct 27, 2008, 10:57 AM
I'd start the morning off at Shibbs bay, as gills in winter will tend towards flatter shallow/semi shallow areas. Shibbs would also be a great choice as its close to an inlet providing fresher oxygenated water that both the fish and the bait love. I'd fish close to the 5-7 foot depth, on the west side of the Johnneys creek inlet. Using a fish camera to see the fish reacting to my presentation, I would adjust jigs/and technique as needed. a vex wouldn't be terribly useful in that shallow of water, the camera on the other hand definitely would be. Using a Marmish pole with 1 or 2lb test and tiny marmish, wolfram, or fiskas jigs (1/16th or lighter) (yellows, greens, variety of patterns) tipped with maggots (or spikes as most refer to them), id' pound the gills all morning long. A lake this size, I'd bet the gils would be pretty much most places around the lake, more in some areas then others, fresher water would be a big benifit I'd think. A marmish pole is great as I would pull out the gills hand over hand, then when re-setting the line, it goes back to the same exact depth as before. Technique would be jigging, some light pops at first, then an erratic vibration of my hand to really dance the jigs, followed by a 30 second-1 minute pause of no movement, then repeat.
In the noonish hours I'd move to the east and fish in about 17 feet of water off Shibbs creek inlet near south bay. I'd keep the marmish pole but switch to a heavier (1/8th oz- to get the hook back down quicker) jig and switch colors to yellows, oranges, deep reds. Don't know why, but those colors seem to produce best for me those times of days. Bait would be the same, maggots, and technique would be similar as well. In 17 FOW, a vex would be usefull, but the fish camera would be more useful as I could judge my presentation to the fish, and change out jigs/ technique as needed.
In the evening hours I'd move back to the Johny's Creek area, but this time fish just to the east side of the inlet on the bench in about 7.5 feet of water. Jig colors would switch again to greens, reds, blues, and purples. go figure, but it works, try it out. ;) bait stays the same, maggots, and technique again, would be jigging, dictated by how the fish react on the fish camera.
Post by: scavengerj on Oct 27, 2008, 10:59 AM
1.) Letting someone know where I was going.
2.) checking Iceshanty for any reports or information from members.
3.) Then either call or stop by a local B&T seeing if there was any information available as to where to begin, and what types of lures they had. (Maybe even a call to the local DNR/DCNR or whoever governs the water/area. The information gathered through these efforts would at least give me more information then just a map).
If no information was available other then the map, my first effort would be in just finding some fish. I wouldn't care what size. I want to determine what the bite is like for this particular day and what the main forage is made up of. I'd like to see what was in the stomaches of some of the fish.
I'd fish the lower portion of the lake.
I would think that in a day of hop scotching this area using my Vex I'd be able to:
Find weeds/weed edges and possibly some lone weed patches.
Several different types of bottom compositions
A creek channel or at least remnants
Possibly a travel lane or two from the deeper water to the rocky bottom off of the point
Possibly a little bit of a mud flat in Shibbs Bay area
Find some slabs
I'd hop scotch from the South Bay area around to the Shibbs Bay area. The small point between between the two areas, looks to contain some rock outcroppings and is adjacent to some deeper water.
Concentrating my efforts in the 5' to 15' depths.
I'd start by looking for some weeds and then a weed edge as well as some changes in bottom composition. There is the possibility that there is a bit of a mud flat in the Shibbs Bay area as well as maybe the remnants of the Johhnys Creek channel.
The lures I'd use would depend on what I might have found when I looked at the stomach contentes of the first few fish I caught, or how they were reacting to some of my presentations/lures.
More then likely I'd be fishing with:
Various colored and sizes of Rat Finkee/ratso tipped with maggies
Forage minnows in various small sizes and colors
Marmish jigs of various colors and sizes
Depending on where the fish were located and on how the fish were reacting to presentations/lures, I'd be fishing the entire water column from the bottom to the top. Getting to the bottom and slowly working my lures upwards in the water column to slow drops through the water column to the bottom, and dead sticking. All the while using my Vex to figure out what to do or not to do. Paying attention to shifting fish locations and the time of day.
Post by: Big Smith on Oct 27, 2008, 12:15 PM
I want to enter a plan for all seasons of ice:
Assume we are talking about first ice/early season. That said......
I would start on the North West side near the outlet (Shibb's Creek). A slow flow of water will aid in feeding the fish. Also in the great Nort' of 'Sconnie, the north side that is shallow should have lots of weeds for cover and oxygen. Find weeds, start shallow and work out deeper. Often, bull gills will lay under a smaller school of gills. That is why I like heavier jigs (or add a small split shot ~8in. up from the jig). For these guys, I'd use a genz bug, or genz work with a waxie/spike "t-boned, genz style". Especailly early or late in the day. Mid-day, I might switch to a shrimpo or ratso to tease them into a bite. A flasher is a must and mobility is a must. If you like, you could certainly put out the tip downs once you have established a target area and depth. Of course, you will probably be too busy with your jig stick for that. I prefer a decent "backer line" (4#) and a light leader of fluorocarbon 1# or 2#. In the weeds, I'd go with 2#. Also, minnows will land the largest of 'gills. If you want to "dead stick" or "bobber fish", that would be my bait of choice.
Mid season- (As you referenced, Feb.)
Slower bite. I would switch to almost exclusively plastics on the above mentioned jigs and down size a little. Hole hopping is the tactic I would employ. Look deeper than before, I would start at the 10' mark . This time of year, water temp. is as important as oxygen. With some of the weeds potentially dying off at this time of year, I would look for other structure. If you can find a submerged tree that is on a sharp decline that would be a great place to start. I would look for a "rootball" on the edge of the shore near grumpy Shins hole. I would then slide down to the south side. It appears that there is some rock structure just off a point in 5-10 fow. If this structure didn't hold any fish, I would try the slow sloping flat starting at Snake Bay's 10' mark and working South towards Old Tom's Honey Hole.
Late Season/Last Ice-
I would quickly cover the structure mentioned above. I would then head straight towards the SE corner and work Shibb's inlet. Becare for the warmer water there might thin the ice. I would start as close to the inlet as I could (safely). Then head to the deeper water until the proper temp. and oxygen level is reached..........there, will be the fish. Late, late ice, same thing with Johnny's creek inlet.
Whenever you go: Tell someone where when and where, take safty gear (pix, rope, etc.), and a camera for posting pictures on Ice Shanty!! Personally, I'd put a couple of tip-ups out with med-lg shingers (dead bait where legal) for those pike on the points with drop offs while jigging for those bull 'gills.
Post by: UPSTATE ICEMASTER on Oct 27, 2008, 05:44 PM
:tipup: :tipup: UPSTATE ICEMASTER :tipup: :tipup:
Post by: baldy on Oct 27, 2008, 05:45 PM
Using my Marcum Lx3 I would try and find the submerged vegitation on the east side of that channel starting from Jack's Honey Hole north to Old Tom's Honey Hole. I like the transistion from the slightly steep edge to the flats that range from 15-20' of water.
A few ultra light poles with spring bobbers and lined with 2lb test (a couple with 1# leaders below swivels). Since the water probably isn't that visible with Moderate clarity and a fresh blanket of powder on top I'll use some brighter colors and even try some glows. #10 & 12 rat finkee's in white, green and orange glow tipped with the tiny (~1/2" or smaller) meal worms from the pet store. I like the softer boddies for a lighter bite (being mid Feb) as they hold on a while longer. T-boning the mealies (with more error towards the tail) give great subtle action jigged or still. Once I've marked fish, I'd dead stick a 1" tube jig full of smelly jelly about 18" from the bottom. If near any water movement that tube has great slow action for a big gill. The Marcum should tell me where in the column the fish are and how they are reacting to the jigging. Adjust as needed. Once the ticket is found I like a couple rods handy with same setup. I also change the tube to a color they are on and keep it near for multiple baits in the area.
If all I'm catching is dinks, I'll head out farther into the flats (west) looking for larger fish in smaller schools using similar techniques.
Post by: crappiekid24 on Oct 27, 2008, 06:47 PM
Second spot I would fish would be Jacks Honey hole in 12-15ft of water again with small jigs tipped with a waxie or a spike. Searching for fish and weeds with my Marcum LX-2.
Third spot I would search would be Johnny's Point fishing both sides of the point first before heading onto the point into the shallower water. I would fish the 10ft mark again with small jigs tipped with a waxie or a spikes. Looking for weeds and fish with my Marcum LX-2.
For equipment I would be using UL rods with a flat spring bobber on 2lb test line. For jig colors I would be using anything with chartreuse in it. Also I would try fishing with plastics like ratsos and maki plastics and fishing them slow with subtle movement. I would drill holes at a diagonal from shallower water to deeper water.
Post by: Turkeyhunter10ga on Oct 28, 2008, 08:13 AM
Post by: BojiHawk on Oct 28, 2008, 03:12 PM
Load up Touring X2 Polaris with auger, vex, camera, GPS. otter sled, etc and little brother (he's 35...so not so little). Kick brother off ATV and hand him the Strikelite...use Navionics to pick up any break lines, inlets, rock pile, etc...anything that would funnel, saddle areas.. whatever. Make brother swiss cheese that little lake with an "x" drilling pattern off any and all structure area. Follow brother around on ATV using vex...follow up vex returns with camera...after visually finding gills (or whatever I wanted to catch) start punching waypoint markers. Fish from ATV and catch fish. After limit...call little bro on 2-way and tell him to stop drilling and go pick him up - just follow the holes. Let little brother catch a couple...hand lil brother filet knife back at cabin. OK..i'll cook the fish for him.
But he is doing the dishes.
Post by: thewalleyewhisperer on Oct 28, 2008, 03:27 PM
A line of holes from Johnnys Pt. to Old Toms Hole.
A line of holes from the rocky pt. just East of Johnnys Inlet toward old Earls Hole.
A circle of holes that would basically surround the words "Snake Bay".
Each line of holes would contain between 10 and 20 holes spaced 10 yards apart. And I would concentrate on the 7-15 FOW areas.
Searching would be done with a small Kastmaster with the treble removed and a 6 inch dropper tied below it and a medium sized Genz Worm tipped with waxworm tied to the dropper. This rig allows you to move quickly (don't need to clean all the slush out of the hole), gets down quickly, is easily seen on a flasher, and calls in the Gills. I'd carry another rod rigged with a small Ratso ( lime green or purple) tipped with a few maggots. If the fish were there but didn't eat the Genz worm, I'd feed them the Ratso. Fish each hole for 2-3 minutes until you find them. Once you find them, if the action slows, drill a circle of holes 20-40 yards in diameter around the hottest hole. Hop around until you have a limit. Repeat as necessary!
Post by: mud_n_fun on Oct 28, 2008, 03:41 PM
Post by: john t. on Oct 28, 2008, 04:29 PM
Post by: Drifter_016 on Oct 30, 2008, 12:28 PM
I don't even know how to catch them through the ice!!! Used to catch 'em off the dock with worms when I was a kid back in the dark ages!!!! :wacko:
Post by: marcus on Oct 31, 2008, 10:04 AM
Now bring on the ice
Post by: rgfixit on Oct 31, 2008, 04:04 PM
I'm a mobile ice fisher. Old school. No tv's or beeping, flashing gizmos. 4.5" Fin Bor folding auger, the oldest fish trap, 4-6 rods and 1000 jigs. I walk! I move...a lot.
For big gills I'd start with a 3-dot glow and waxworm on on my ultra light YAD with 2lb clear Berkley Ice. I'd drop that to the bottom and work it up through the water column. The second rod would have a gold Wolfram Tungsten on bottom and an olive Silver Flash Scud about 16" above on a dropper knot. I'd let that one sit with a waxie on the bottom and a couple of spikes on the scud, slowly raising it every once in a while.
I'd start south and explore to the north towards Johnny's point. I'd work both sides of that point into 8 fow and out to the 15' flat.
I'd then move SE towards that little cut in 15 fow at Old Tom's Hole and work south again moving in and out between 10' and the deepest water.
Needless to say, I'd be switching jigs all the while and varying the presentation working it top to bottom and bottom to top. If you're gonna get some bigguns, they're gonna be 3 feet or so off the bottom. The fussier they are the smaller I'd go. Probably switching to darker colors as the sun gets up.
Here's my thinking. The water is fairly stable by this point in the season. They'll tend to be pretty patterned, moving in to the weed beds to feed and back out to deeper areas to rest. Bluegill's primary forage is the freshwater shrimp. They won't waste much energy chasing pinheads this time of year.They have to move from their deep water refuges to the weed edges to feed. It's this movement that I'm targeting. Keep in mind that these are mature gills. They won't be wandering too far into the weed beds. That's where the toothy critters and bucketmouths lurk. The shallows are typically nursery schools for gills in my experience. The big gills go deep.
I'd expect some fair action throughout the morning hours, a nice nap from 11am - 2pm and killer action till dark....and...about 100 holes or so....bless that 4.5" Fin Bor.
RG
Post by: DANMAN on Oct 31, 2008, 05:35 PM
MID FEBRUARY HERE IN UPSTATE NY
- FISH ARE SCHOOLED
- SHALLOW WEEDS ARE DEAD AND BARREN, (THIS 20 FOOT LAKE WAS LIKELY CHOKED WITH WEEDS DURING THE SUMMER)
- FISH ARE ON THE BOTTOM CRUISING NEAR THE DEEPEST HOLES
- FISH BITE IS MORNING TILL 10:30 AM ..THEN AGAIN AT SUNSET FOR A COUPLE HOURS
- FISH ARE GENERALLY TIGHT LIPPED
- NO WIND MEANS BAROMETER IS STEADY, AGAIN A HARD FISH
- IM HEADED TO THE 2O FOOT EDGE AT GRUMPY SHINS, THE SHARP LEDGE WILL CHANNEL THE FISH BETTER THAN OVER AT JACKS OR TOMS. THEY WILL RUN THAT RIM AND KEEP IN THE AREA AS LONG AS YOU HAVE ACTION IN THE HOLE.
- 6 INCH HAND AUGER WILL DO FINE
- 2 LB STREN COLD WATER LINE AND A #12 or #14 RED OR CHARTRUSE DOT (TEARDROP) TIPPED WITH A MOUSEE OR WAXWORM. ICE BLUE POLE WITH FINE TIP TO GENTLY BOUNCE THE BAIT AND FEEL THE TAP. START 6 INCHES OF THE BOTTOM AND MOVE UP, AS FISH MAY BE SUSPENDED. OR YOU CAN STACK TWO DOTS 12 INCHES APART
- IF FISH ARE REAL FUSSY MAY GO TO A SMALL JIGGY BOBBER AND SUSPEND THE DOT STATIONARY, SO THAT THEY CAN GET A GOOD LOOK AND SMELL
- IF FISH ARE REAL AGRESSIVE YOU MAY GO TO A SMALL PIMPLE , SINGLE HOOK TIPPED WITH GRUBS
- THIS LAKE WILL BE SLOW DURING HIGH SUN...
IF NO LUCK AT GRUMPY SHINS I WOULD MOVE TO THE 20 FOOT DEEP EDGE OUT FROM SHIBBS CREEK INLET
IF NO LUCK AT GRUMPY SHINS I WOULD MOVE TO THE 20 FOOT DEEP EDGE OUT FROM SHIBBS CREEK INLET
Post by: Vexilar Prowler on Nov 02, 2008, 07:11 PM
Post by: mmb on Nov 03, 2008, 09:43 AM
1) The hump by Old Earl's Hole and the point coming into that would be a target.
2) Scattered holes around Johnny's Point for the sharp dropoff heading out into deeper water.
3) Tom's Honey Hole would be a target for the transition between flats.
Drill holes and check bottom depths with flasher/finder. Fish holes with marks indicating fish. Start off with a chartreuse fat boy with a #10 hook and waxworm. Early feed, light jigging with smooth motions. As the day wears on move to more aggressive pounding jigging to draw aggressive fish in. If chartreuse isn't cutting it, goto white with 2 -3 spikes.
I'm presenting larger baits to hopefully attract the larger fish. If still no joy, I'd downsize to #12 hooks with something a kin to the genz bug in chartreuse with spikes or gulp spikes.
Fishing from shelter to prevent too much light from getting into the holes. Glow lures active on 2lb test with ultralight rod.
Post by: panfishman13 on Nov 03, 2008, 10:47 AM
2, find deeper cover and repeat this time with smaller jigs 2' above spoons.
3, cross the lake and fish in the deepest point 5' off bottom using same setup as in 2, all lures are baited with waxworms,
gear
8" hand auger
5 rods all ultra lite-medium w/ 4lb test line
bucket and seat lid
2 man portable shack 2 holes
no motor vehicles
medium ice pro sled
waxworms
rod holders
needle nose pliers
1 12oz. root beer
3 bags cool ranch Doritos
Post by: zooplankton on Nov 03, 2008, 09:34 PM
1)Lake map .....$10.00
2)Lively spikes & fatheads......$8.00
3)Visiting the local B&T shop , buying the above stuff mentioned & B.S. a few stories............... PRICELESS ;)
(Oh of course not to leave out the "Vex" fl8se)
After collecting all of the above, determining whether we can drag the "guide" by Clam Co. or use the
trappers basket (since we have no vehicular access) & strappin on the snow shoes, we will be ready to
start our journey.With a "foot" of fresh powder we shall use extreme caution when stepping on the ice
keeping away from all creek or stream inlets or outlets for these areas can harbor the weakest ice.
I would concentrate on entering from the "Johnny's point" area, whether it be from the point itself
or the east side of lake adjacent from the "point". Starting with a test hole (checking ice thickness/depth
of water) & after shoveling a spot with my trustee compact snow shovel. Now I can set the "Vex" down on
a level surface. We will be using a search lure (swedish pimple , hookless w/ a glow teardrop 8"-10"
below, tipped w/ a wax worm.We be looking for weed beds in to 10' flat area of the lake. Running from
west to east across the lake, if nothing found, from the middle of the lake start to drill holes taking a bearing
to the north towards "snake bay" w/my "mora" hand auger (trying to keep as "Green" as possible) plus it helps build "the guns" turret 1 & turret 2 :D I also will "dead stick" a spike on a "Genz bug" or a tear drop, again concentrating in flats in the weeds. It will be important to use the glowing jigs w / the snow pack.........
zooplankton.
Post by: anderson_dc on Nov 04, 2008, 08:03 AM
We will only be fishing during the daytime
With the temps where they are at and not really reaching above freezing there wont be a lot of run off coming into the lake.
With a foot of snow on top of the mid season ice there isnt going to be nearly as much light penetration so fish a little bit shallower then normal
Presentation 1: Fish the channel near Johnny's Point. Start shallow (4 FOW) and keep punching holes deeper to find the break. Fish the base of the point and the outside of the weedline at the top of the break. Shallow i would run jammin jigs green bobber fry with waxie and deeper i would run either the neon tiger jig or Fiskas 4mm wolfram jig glow colored with waxie/spike. I would start my morning off here.
Presentation 2. Work the submerged vegetation in Snakes Bay. Start in 6 FOW and start working out to deeper water until you run out of vegetation harboring fish (12 foot max range). Fish with smaller jigs like the jammin jigs neon bobber fry or 4 mm fiskas wolfram jig in glow colors.
Presentation 3: Finish the day by working the marl starting from Shibbs creek inlet and heading north to Jack's honey hole in 8-15 feet of water. Using a similar presentation of number 2 with smaller jigs to imitate plankton and the invertebrates which are going to be eating them during the light change.
Technique would be to pound the bottom in non vegetated areas and then a hold bait no more then 8-12" from the bottom. In weedy areas i would present the lure right at or just above the top of the weed growth and use a lot of jigging action with pauses.
Equipment is gonna be a St Croix Legend 24" UL rod with medium spring for the smaller jigs and a 24" St Croix Premier ML rod for the jigging spoon.
Post by: Illinoizboy on Nov 09, 2008, 11:57 PM
I just got back on the ice last season after 30 yrs. or so. I didn't Ice Fish MUCH before that either.
Being an old fart with not a lot of energy to pull a sled all over the lake, I would first of course look out to see where a majority of Fishermen were at.
If I got there and there was no one else there, I'd suggest to my partner ( you know you should have a partner ) that we should fish the area of Shibb's Creek Inlet.
That area contains a lot of the basic things needed to hold Large Gills.
Water flow from the inlet keeps fresh oxygenated water in the area.
That flow also brings natural bait that the fish feed on.
The oxygen level will help keep vegetation in fair shape during hard freeze and early growth in spring.
The area has 4 break levels within a short distance.
I would try from the edge of the 20 Ft. drop off back in to about 8ft or so depending on the condidtion of the ice around the inlet.
Seeing that this contest is about catching Blue Gills, I'd save a few bucks and forget the minnows at that time of year. I would use Waxies or spikes.
I would use a jigging technique with assorted weights and sizes suitable for the depth and structure/vegetation that was below. Find the bottom, lift a couple of inches then work up the depth table. Keep an eye on the Marcum for suspended or following fish.
Seeing that our contest leader mentioned " The locals know what area ( not areas ) to fish"
I will just go with this one shot. Good Luck to all. ;D
Post by: Agronomist_at_IA on Nov 10, 2008, 12:08 PM
In the winter as water cools, bluegill move into deeper water to spend the cold months. Bluegill often can be located over shoreline points and ridges or near brush and aquatic vegetation in 15 to 20 feet of water. Frequently, schools of similar-sized fish will move onto flats 10 to 12 feet deep to feed before moving back to deep water. Big bluegills gather in small groups, while the small ones are found in large schools.
Three locations I would fish
1. Right off of Johnny’s Point in 15 foot flat
2. Grumpy Shins Hole in about 20 foot of water
3. Shibbs Creek Inlet in 15-20 foot of water
Gear
Gear includes Spud bar or Auger, ice dipper, rods, lures, bobbers, bait, and a sled or bucket. Underwater cameras can be handy for finding fish and seeing bites. Also sonar can be used to help mark fish when you are on a spot. Ice fishing rods equipped with 2 to 4-pound-test ice fishing line. It's best to have several rods tipped with different lures for quickly changing to different lures. Bluegills have small mouths and small hooks with a long shank are best to use for setting & removal of the hook.
Baits
Live bait or good plastics work well. Wax worms, spikes, mousies, and goldenrod grubs are all good baits. Artificial baits suitable for catching bluegill are numerous. Dry flies, small poppers, & lead heads with feathers, rubber grubs, or twister tails all work.
Technique
Use light line and tackle when bluegill fishing and you will catch more fish. Bluegill feed mainly on aquatic insects, which are slow moving creatures. Rarely do bluegills chase food items, so fish very slowly. This holds true whether you use artificial lures or live bait. When fishing with a bobber, use a bobber just big enough to suspend your lure and bait. Lower the baited lure to within a foot of the bottom, and set the bobber at that depth. Big bluegills tend to hang close to the bottom in winter and bite lightly. Watch your float closely for bites. On some bites the float will rise and lie on its side as a fish picks up your bait instead of pulling the bobber under. For artificial baits, spring bobbers and underwater cameras can be used to detect bites, and are pounded to entice the bluegill to bite the bait. Usually, bluegills are not alone. Once you catch one, cover the area and take a couple before moving. Don't fish unproductive areas longer than 15 minutes, and move frequently to find concentrations.
Post by: Lobes on Nov 13, 2008, 12:47 PM
I think this is where they are. I'd concentrate all my efforts here with the flasher to get on the fish. Then I'd drop the camera down to see how they react to either green and white Demon Glows or natural (fish pattern) Fat Boys (#12 & #14) tipped with spikes, waxies or wigglers. I think 2 lb. ultra clear micro ice line will do the trick.
:tipup:
NBG
Post by: perchkid on Nov 15, 2008, 03:27 PM
1.3 st.croix legend UL with 3 pound line with daiwa steezs
2.6in hand auger
3.VEXY!!
4.spikes
5.3 ice blues 48" UL with 2 Pound flouro and shimmano sedonas
6.millions of fat boys and gill pills, genz worms and diamond jigs
Post by: Fish_Tko on Nov 19, 2008, 06:58 AM
I am betting that fish will be biting the best the first two hours or daylight and the last two hours of dark. Middle of the day will be a waste here.
I will be using a 2313 Genz Stik with 2# CXX Moss Green Line and a Diawa Xi reel.
If this doesn't work i will go directly to the Liquor Store and get a 12 pack, go back to the hotel room and turn on the t.v.
Post by: pan-fisher-man on Nov 19, 2008, 07:45 PM
Post by: Marcum Man on Nov 24, 2008, 04:52 PM
Post by: Captain Don on Nov 24, 2008, 08:56 PM
2. Next I'd move near the Gravel east of Johnny's Creek Inlet and again drill holes in all depths around the area and check with my electronics and Jig/Spikes.
3. Lastly I'd try in the shallows by Snakes Bay again using the same technique.
My 2 Ice Rods are light action with spring bobbers. Once the pigs are located I slap on some bigger Waxies and lightly "pound" the jig and catch my LIMIT!!!!
Post by: Lone Fisher on Nov 25, 2008, 10:20 PM
1. Start by Grumpy Shins Hole in the morning and drill from 5' and out to 20' and check on the Vexilar to see where they are. Look for them over a weedbed or on the edges of weedbeds. Jig 3-4 inches up for a couple seconds then hold for 10 seconds or so and repeat, with CS&J Hot Orange Shrimpo tipped with a waxworm on a light combo rod with 2 or 4lb testline.
2. By Old Toms Honey Hole in the afternoon, and locate the 20' divot andfish where it slopes back up to 15' try to locate Weeds. Once you found them, from where you are, drill about 20 holes around and jig aggressively with the gill pill tipped with a waxworm with same rod as #1.
3. By Shibbs Bay in the evening, At Johnny's Creek Inlet Drill from a little ways west of the inlet and go east until you hit the 10' spot off that point at depths from 5 to the 10' where you ended. Look with Vexilar for what the bottom looks like, find a weedbed and fish just above it with CS&J clown gill pill tipped with a waxworm. Using the same rod and technique as #1.
Bring your limit of bluegills home and cut em up!!
Post by: TommyG on Nov 27, 2008, 08:53 AM
2 Snake Bay again 5-10 feet I would work it identical to Snibbs.
3 I really like the look of the 10-15 ft slow tapering flat from Old toms honey hole north to snibbs bay looks like a good midday spot for bull gills. Again start with a frosty spoon the weight of it will let u get the lure down faster so you spend more time fishing so u can eliminate the dead water faster.
Equipment light and medium light st. croix legend rods, 2# p-line floro, vrxilar fl-20, 1/16 frosty spoons. When I downsize I go to demon jigs, fatboys, fiskas, and I love the panfish assortment bag from jammin jigs which has a nice variety of oddball looking jigs that u can't buy in stores. U can usually be sure when a fish sees one of those he hasnt seen it before giving u the upper hand.
Technique Start with the frosty spoon and jig fast most people think it is to big for gills but i have placed very good in tournaments using it. But to be honest it is mostly a search lure as long as they come in to investigate. Then I adjust accordingly. When I am chasing gills I always jig the lure down to them slowly. Makes it look more natural than something just dropping right in front of there face. Red and white spikes are my bread and butter but I always have some waxies on hand.
So were is this lake so I can go tear it up.
Post by: Pasquatch on Nov 29, 2008, 06:45 PM
Area 1- Just south of the Shibbs Creek Inlet, in approximately 10 feet of water. I think the weed growth would be substantial, but not overwhelming here, and I would use a flasher to locate fish, which I feel would be settle right down near the weeds. I would use 1 or 2 pound test line, a small (#12 or #14 hook size) chartreuse or orange jig. I would tip this with a waxworm, and vary jigging actions. Considering this is first ice (or close to it), I would start off with a pretty aggressive jigging action for bluegills, and then slow it down until I am practically deadsticking.
Area 2- I would focus on that flat ranging between 5 and 10 feet off of that point near Johnny's Creek Inlet. (Flat is marked by that large area between gradient lines) I would set up a set of tip-downs here with pinhead minnows to locate these bluegills, with a few different depths to see if the fish are right on the bottom or suspending above the weeds a tad bit. Once I find those fish, I'm going to focus in on them with the smallest sized chartreuse Hali tipped with waxworms, then moving to marmooskas.
Area 3- I would head over to Grumpy Shins Hole and look in around 12 feet of water. Since I am in a bit more water here than the other spots, I would really rely on my flasher to find the fish. I think the weedline would die off a lot faster in this spot than those flats on the other side of the lake, so I am going to look hard on the edge of the weedbed to find the fish. I'm going to stick with a small chartreuse or orange teardrop tipped with a waxworm and hold it right above these fish. Considering they are sitting in deeper water than the other fish, these bluegills are moving towards their midwater holes, and therefore I would move the jig very little, and then work it faster.
If were talking later ice action, I am going to look for suspended bluegills, and deadstick for them. The flasher is absolutely necessary then.
I gave it a good whirl.
-Wes
Post by: Iceshanty on Dec 01, 2008, 12:30 PM
-Scott
Post by: bayonne on Dec 01, 2008, 06:54 PM
2nd spot the in side bend of south bay in 5 ft of water
3rd spot would be johonnys point varing my dept
and lure choice i always use a small swedish pimple tiped with a waxie or a mousie this has always been my go to bait for gills
Post by: Iceshanty on Dec 05, 2008, 04:25 PM
Winner please pm me your mailing addresses.
1st Captain Don -Icegator Cap, Marcum Charger, Militia Trial Package
2nd Lone Fisher -Marcum Cap, Marcum Battery Monitor, Militia Trial Package
3rd rgfixit -Team Iceshanty Medium Profile Cap, Militia Trial Package
4th Agronomist_at_IA -Bumper Sticker, Militia Trial Package
5th Pasquatch -Militia Trial Package
Gonna kick in two more Militia trial packs for
6th Mud n fun -Militia Trial Package
7th Big Smith -Militia Trial Package
Pretty neat to see everyones plan of attack. I think we can all learn from everyones posts.
Congrat to the winners and thanks to all who entered!
Thanks to Icegator and Marcum for the prizes!
-Scott
Post by: bart on Dec 05, 2008, 04:36 PM
Post by: rgfixit on Dec 05, 2008, 05:27 PM
Actually this lake X is very much like our shallower Finger Lakes in NY. It very closely mimics Honeoye lake. A big Bluegill Factory.
I'll donate my winnings to the door prize booty for the NY Ice show.
This was fun.
RG
Post by: Pasquatch on Dec 05, 2008, 10:39 PM
Do you need my address for a militia trial package, Scott?
-Wes
Post by: Captain Don on Dec 06, 2008, 07:01 PM
PM Sent... What's the Marcum Charger? Does it come with a Marcum Color Underwater Camera? :laugh:
Post by: Lone Fisher on Dec 06, 2008, 09:01 PM
Post by: Lone Fisher on Dec 06, 2008, 09:11 PM
Very cool.Nope he already added that for ya.
Do you need my address for a militia trial package, Scott?
-Wes
Post by: Captain Don on Dec 16, 2008, 06:53 PM
The wife called me at work and said " NOW WHAT DID YOU BUY??!!!"
I said nothing it's stuff I won for being so smart at fishing! LOL!
Now I got another charger that will be "in the way" LMAO! :o :tipup:
Post by: bearbgone on Dec 17, 2009, 12:34 PM