Clear Lake

[CrappieBuster]

Yeh she was skinny for 22.  Dont think theres much forage in the lake.  Not much of a belly on her.

[KrappieSlayer]

Thinking about making a trip this weekend.. how has the night bite been?

[great white]

How bad did this storm mess things up?



--Whitey

[original_iceman]

How bad did this storm mess things up?



--Whitey

Still digging out here today...   Hope to get back on the lake here in a day or two...  ice was about 10" off of Farmers on Sunday.  I will post and let you guys know once I get back out there unless someone beats me to it.

[great white]

Hope most of the snow blew clear of the lake! We got a sheet of ice instead of snow--yuck.



--Whitey

[CrappieBuster]

And I was so looking forward to driving out this weekend.

[uberfish]

on the other hand............. that means less fishing pressure for the ones willing to brave the storm.         see you out there, hopefully.            my shacks a little heavy to pull on foot.      a bit of snow for the atvs but i bet a snowmobile could cut it.  went out sunday morning, about 5:30 AM alone, if i didnt have an ice anchor my portable would have ended up on the other side of the lake with me inside it. WINDY  no joke and not funny, would be pretty dangerous for some.  didnt have any battles with anything too heavy but did catch dinner.  been sort of busy with tracking/spotting deer this last week or so, anyone get anything for first shotgun season?          good luck         does anyone have a plow?    nice eye crappiebuster

[CrappieBuster]

It was -5 when I woke up at 6:30 this morning.  Even with the snow those temps will build it.  I got someone with a plow lined up but he waits for around 14 inches beings he's 10,000+ lbs.  Tonite or Thursday night were hooking on with the wheeler and dragging our shack out.  Or if its an even 10 off of farmers we'll hook on her with the truck and drag her out.

[uberfish]

good to hear, sounds like a beast. ill throw in some $ for gas when he needs it.  let me know.

[bob32racing]

ive usually got one of my three plows out there. i drove the biggest diesel ive got out yesterday, and were going to wait for a little more ice for that, but ill plow a path or two

[dgalli]

Has anyone been out along North shore by the Baptist camp pump house or around down town?  Would think there's enough ice over there by now if you got 10" off Farmers. 

[CrappieBuster]

Heard from someone leaving farmers this morning that he was fishing on 8.  Never went out to punch a hole though.  It was pretty friggin cold (4 above). The ramp was drifted and heaved in bad though gonna have to wait for a plow to bust her before anyone thinks about driving out. Went out on the east end to check the ice a few hundred yards out off the marsh ramp and found 11 inches of good ice the whole way out.  Another inch or two and everyone will be driving out. Theres not as much snow on the east end.

[uberfish]

i was watching in your backyard iowa the other day and rob was using a marcum or vex on top of the ice without drilling a hole.  he cleared the snow from a spot on the ice, put a little water down, and set the transducer on the wet spot.  any one done this?

[bus33]

i was watching in your backyard iowa the other day and rob was using a marcum or vex on top of the ice without drilling a hole.  he cleared the snow from a spot on the ice, put a little water down, and set the transducer on the wet spot.  any one done this?

You bet...works like a charm.  I actually spit on the ice

[515deerhunter]

i was watching in your backyard iowa the other day and rob was using a marcum or vex on top of the ice without drilling a hole.  he cleared the snow from a spot on the ice, put a little water down, and set the transducer on the wet spot.  any one done this?

every time i go dont drill less i want to fish there find depth fish and cover first

[CrappieBuster]

As long as the ice isnt milky it works well.

[IceHaus]

As long as the ice isnt milky it works well.

Yeah, I look for old holes that have iced back up. They're normally good, clear ice. Having water on hand isn't always possible, but important. The bottom of the transducer has to be "submerged". I have to admit that I've spit a few times too.  There's one other way I can think of producing "water", and after several beers, there's plenty of it.

[Woody61]

Im planning on coming up tomorrow or Fri.Is the snow to deep to walk(don't have a sled or atv) Also where is farmers at? I know the Island, Dodge point and where the Baptist camp is but thats about it. Not willing to spend the day walking so would it be worth coming up?

[W_Morrison]

Hey I have never fished clear before, thinking about coming up on the 20th.  Where are the good spots for the eyes, and how do I get there.  Also gonna be walking, is there good spots within walking distance.  Thanks for the info.

[CrappieBuster]

Got her out today finally.  On the east end by the open water .  Just so happens to be right by my spot!  Got on to the smaller eyes so im not far off!  This weekend theres gonna be some beers drowned and walleyes caught in that contraption.

[badgercreekfreek]

Sweet pic crappiebuster ... love those old campers as shacks!  I'm amazed the Rincon (I think) could pull that across the lake with the snow you all had up there.

[SHANTYTOWN]

SHE SURE IS PRETTY

Thats 1968 in her best! Shasta Low Flite!

That is a Honda atv...

[Big Blue]

Hey I have never fished clear before, thinking about coming up on the 20th.  Where are the good spots for the eyes, and how do I get there.  Also gonna be walking, is there good spots within walking distance.  Thanks for the info.

Your best bet is to stop at the Crazy Minnow in Clear lake, he has maps and he will show you exactly where to go to find the eyes. Just Google Crazy Minnow Clear Lake, Iowa

[Big Blue]

Hey I have never fished clear before, thinking about coming up on the 20th.  Where are the good spots for the eyes, and how do I get there.  Also gonna be walking, is there good spots within walking distance.  Thanks for the info.

Google has the wrong address for the Crazy Minnow, it's: 504 Highway 18 West Clear lake, Iowa

[CrappieBuster]

Yeh thats an 08 rubicon.  Was gonna go with the rincon but that has independent rear suspension and cant tow squat.  Figured ice fishing your towing heavy loads and needed the solid rear axle.  Just stuck her in low and d2 and she stomped right through it all.  It was her first test and she passed it with flying colors.

[Wally Lindner]

 How far is it from the ice to the floor of your mobile hut?  Or does it lower to the lake?

[CrappieBuster]

Around 8 inches in front.  And more in the back.  Shes a pretty deluxe rig for fishing.  You get spoiled pretty easy fishing out of that.  Furnace,tv,dvd,stove,oven coffee pot cold beer and warm feet it cant be beat!   Heading over there right now to try and get on em.

[CrappieBuster]

Well it was getting around that time... Figured i'd do it today. Heck of alot easier unloading.
I'd wait a week at least for the diesels though

[Wally Lindner]

  Is the space between the hut and the hole open to the elements or do have a cut-off 5 gallon pale wedged in between the camper and ice.  Thinking of buying on of those campers.  Just unsure how to rig it for ice fishing.  How many holes?

[CrappieBuster]

Yep 5 gallon buckets as inserts.  Ive seen people go the pvc route but that stuff is pretty pricey. 4 holes in front 4 holes in back.  Theyre a little close but it works.