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Pennsylvania => Ice Fishing Pennsylvania => Topic started by: Spider1 on Jul 23, 2019, 05:30 AM

Title: sooooo....
Post by: Spider1 on Jul 23, 2019, 05:30 AM
is there anybody else looking forward to a new ice season? Yeah, that's what I thought. This summer is wearing me down. If it's not 90° it's raining and trees are coming down on wires all over town. The basement got some water in yesterday so I had to drag some stuff outside to clean up the mess and one of the things that had to sit out in the rain was my clam. I tried covering it but it's sitting out in the yard soaked and will probably stay that way until this afternoon. Oh well, it needed an airing out and mouse check anyway. One of the bars is bent so I can fix that too. I wonder if the neighbors will think I lost it if I just sit in it for a while..... :icefish:

I saw an early prediction yesterday. Said average to slightly below average temps this winter after a hot, wet fall with average to slightly above average precipitation for the eastern half of PA. The western half is going to be a little colder with a little more snow.

Think cold thoughts!
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: esox_xtm on Jul 23, 2019, 08:34 AM
Not just yet. I do dislike this mid-summer heat but that's only a necessary evil to get to September - November, the best musky fishing of the year (at least for me).

Still in the slow process of piecemeal moving north  ;D and have a number of resources lined up to help me access all those spots I've been walking to via snowmobile. Gonna be a fun ice season!
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Jul 23, 2019, 05:21 PM
You know me and know that I'm ALWAYS thinking about ice fishing.  Any temps higher than 30 is too damn hot for me and the colder the better.  I've been ready for ice season since the beginning of ice out.  I've had it with all this rain and heat crap that's for sure. 
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: DR.SPECKLER on Jul 23, 2019, 05:34 PM
Im ready for ice after the fall salmon and steelhead run.only season i dont like is summer..
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: PaWhiskerWacker on Aug 07, 2019, 04:11 AM
I used my 49cc strikemaster powerhead with a 8" earth auger bit to drill some footers for a pole barn the other day, it really made me think of ice season...... By the way the 49cc powerhead did an awesome job, plenty of power!  My gas auger has just been sitting for 5 seasons now since I built my gear reduction for my drill, still runs great!  I am ready for ice season about three days after last ice.......
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: MumbleSEED on Aug 20, 2019, 10:40 AM
I just got back from my family vacation to the beach.  While we were sitting on the beach one day my wife asked "what are you thinking about?"  I told her that I was thinking of sitting on a frozen pond jigging the day away.  It's a true sickness!
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Aug 21, 2019, 08:57 PM
Not a sickness, that stuff you can take a pill to cure, once ice fishing gets into your blood it's there forever.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Totemir on Aug 24, 2019, 06:09 PM
It’s all I can think about.  Finding new water to fish. Messing around with my gear. Sometimes it’s what gets me through the day.  Worse things to be addicted to.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Spider1 on Aug 26, 2019, 05:12 AM
I was out on my kayak this weekend at 2 of my favorite ice spots. The wind was blowing me around and I just couldn't fish effectively. I ended up losing a couple crappie and keeping a couple gills and a 9" crappie cuz I trashed it's mouth trying to get the hook out. If I was on ice I woulda had a pile of slabs and perch and I woulda had buddies to talk to all day... beer slushies... sausage sandwiches... chili... watching newbs fall on there butts... woulda been great. I miss ice. :'(
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: jimhaney08 on Aug 27, 2019, 03:37 PM
I've been thinking about it a bit.  Would love to get a camera for this year.  Hard to justify spending the money though.  Over the long weekend I'll probably do a little work on the smitty I threw together last year.  But overall I'm still very content because I'm in the middle of my bass fishing season.  I do still find myself thinking about frozen lakes.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Mr. Charlie on Aug 29, 2019, 06:07 AM
I’m always thinking about killing stuff and eating it lol. After archery and fall stripers fill up my freezer it’ll be time for the ice which is my favorite. I actually started looking at new gear yesterday so I logged on here and I can see I’m not alone. I’m gonna take my vex out in the boat later lol.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Sep 03, 2019, 06:58 AM
I was out on my kayak this weekend at 2 of my favorite ice spots. The wind was blowing me around and I just couldn't fish effectively. I ended up losing a couple crappie and keeping a couple gills and a 9" crappie cuz I trashed it's mouth trying to get the hook out. If I was on ice I woulda had a pile of slabs and perch and I woulda had buddies to talk to all day... beer slushies... sausage sandwiches... chili... watching newbs fall on there butts... woulda been great. I miss ice. :'(

BEER SLUSHIES.............. ...................... ...........LOL!  ;D   And every once in a while watching veterans fall on their butt chasing their clam across the lake!  ;)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Sep 05, 2019, 06:18 PM
I'm always thinking about ice fishing and have been stockpiling coal. As of right now I have about half of what I'd like to have in the stockpile and am sure over the next two months I'll find another few deals to get there.  The only two things I'd like to get this year is one of the Eskimo Wide One Inferno flip overs and add a Marcum LX7 but as usual I have a bunch of other stuff I want to get first so we'll see how things pan out.  The main thing I have planned to do is fish with Chez more and the gang more.  I didn't get to fish with any of them last season and that's my number one goal for this season.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Sep 05, 2019, 07:55 PM
Those Eskimo Wide Ones are NICE! That’s where I got the idea for my new seat. Saw that new mesh seat and was SOLD! If I didn’t find one(seat) at Cabelas I probably would have bought a new Eskimo sled!  ;)

Yeah, we GOTTA get Chez and “the gang” together this year! I fished a lot last year, but never hooked up with Chez. I think the one day I got to the lake late due to family commitments and just missed him!  ::)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Spider1 on Sep 06, 2019, 07:13 AM
It's cuz you're always fishing for trout and me and Chez are always fishing for fish that don't taste like catfood! ;D
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Sep 06, 2019, 07:52 AM
The man has a point there.  Although you could keep Chez stocked up with bait for the cat fish. 
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Sep 06, 2019, 10:39 AM
It's cuz you're always fishing for trout and me and Chez are always fishing for fish that don't taste like catfood! ;D

Hey, it's not always about the taste, Spider!  Sometimes I just like a little fight on the other end of the line! ;)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Spider1 on Sep 06, 2019, 02:38 PM
So ya picked trout ???
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Sep 12, 2019, 01:16 PM
Yep! They give you a much better fight than any panfish or bass IMHO!  @)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Sep 12, 2019, 06:15 PM
Well if you want to go based on a better fight a Carp puts up a way better fight than a Trout but I wouldn't eat one of them either.   ;D
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: CowDawg on Sep 12, 2019, 10:18 PM
Carp or Trout?   :sick: :sick:  Neither one tastes like chicken!!    The season is coming sooner than ya think!!!
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Spider1 on Sep 13, 2019, 05:15 AM
caught a lot of trout, very few gave me the same fight a big bass or crappie gave me. Hook a nice pickerel and they will fight better than any stocker trout. But, to each his own. You know I'm just kidding (sort of)... besides, trout have more omega-3's than any panfish and my doc says I need to eat more fatty fish. Since we don't have any mackerel or tuna around here I might have to catch some bait... I mean trout. Just gotta think of a way to cook them to kill that stocker taste though... too mushy to grind into patties, I bet if I smoke them they might be palatable but do they retain the omega-3's???
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Sep 13, 2019, 07:59 AM
You could add a good doze of garlic and onions and have a bottle of wine with it.  It'll either kill the taste or you'll be so tuned up from drinking the bottle of wine you won't care what it tastes like.   ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: icehound67 on Sep 15, 2019, 08:02 PM
At this point I don’t really care what I’m catching, I just need to get out on the ice. There is only so many times you can go thru your stuff! I’m actually building a second smitty sled I’m so bored. Well actually I’m replacing my uprights from 2x12’s to 2x6’s. Since my PALS gave me grief all last season about my “Santa” sled and you know who you are.......HA HA
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Sep 16, 2019, 10:21 AM
Well if you want to go based on a better fight a Carp puts up a way better fight than a Trout but I wouldn't eat one of them either.   ;D

Never caught a Carp thru the ice!  ;)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Sep 16, 2019, 09:18 PM
I've caught two through the ice and the one time Mayor Chez was with me.  They put up a heck of a fight.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Sep 17, 2019, 06:45 AM
WOW! Never heard of anyone catching carp thru the ice................... ..................I'm gonna start calling you the "Carp Whisperer" Chris!  ;)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Sep 17, 2019, 09:06 PM
HAHAHAHAHAHA I wouldn't do that just yet, it was dumb luck that I got those two. 
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Spider1 on Sep 18, 2019, 09:59 AM
At this point I don’t really care what I’m catching, I just need to get out on the ice. There is only so many times you can go thru your stuff! I’m actually building a second smitty sled I’m so bored. Well actually I’m replacing my uprights from 2x12’s to 2x6’s. Since my PALS gave me grief all last season about my “Santa” sled and you know who you are.......HA HA

LOL! and now we'll get a bunch of snow and you'll wish you had more clearance!
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Spider1 on Sep 19, 2019, 05:14 AM
I just saw the latest update on the winter prediction and it might be good news. The cold index has moved to the east enough to include all of PA. We are now in the zone of below average temps for the winter of 2019/20! The down side is that we are also right in the middle of the index for above average precipitation. If this guy is right, we are in for a good winter but I might want to get a better pair of snow shoes! For the guys that head up to the Great lakes region, below average temps and average precipitation.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Sep 19, 2019, 05:41 PM
That's good news in my book.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Sep 20, 2019, 06:57 AM
At this point I don’t really care what I’m catching, I just need to get out on the ice. There is only so many times you can go thru your stuff! I’m actually building a second smitty sled I’m so bored. Well actually I’m replacing my uprights from 2x12’s to 2x6’s. Since my PALS gave me grief all last season about my “Santa” sled and you know who you are.......HA HA

I wouldn't call it "grief"...................... .................I prefer to think of it as good natured "ribbing!"  ;)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Sep 20, 2019, 07:15 AM
I just saw the latest update on the winter prediction and it might be good news. The cold index has moved to the east enough to include all of PA. We are now in the zone of below average temps for the winter of 2019/20! The down side is that we are also right in the middle of the index for above average precipitation. If this guy is right, we are in for a good winter but I might want to get a better pair of snow shoes! For the guys that head up to the Great lakes region, below average temps and average precipitation.

That’s GREAT! I hope they’re right! I saw 37* on the thermometer the last 2 mornings and I’m getting excited!  ;D


(https://i.postimg.cc/87wMGm8V/BF4-FAE28-25-A2-4743-A752-DE6-EAF8-B6816.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/87wMGm8V)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Sep 20, 2019, 08:06 AM
It was 38 at my house in the morning the past two days so we're a lot closer to the good time of the year.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Oct 09, 2019, 11:21 AM
30* at my house Saturday morning! We’re getting there................ ;)

(https://i.postimg.cc/svYhHMbZ/CD3-EA2-C2-9-AE1-4-B04-8-FBA-4-D354-E5-EC1-B8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/svYhHMbZ)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Spider1 on Oct 09, 2019, 11:23 AM
yep, I've already scraped ice off the windshield once. It won't be long... but it's still too long, LOL!!!
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Oct 09, 2019, 11:35 AM
Yeah we're getting there but not nearly fast enough for me. 
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Oct 09, 2019, 12:53 PM
I know.................. ...................but I'm trying to stay POSITIVE guys!  ;D
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Oct 09, 2019, 01:21 PM
Well to help out your positive thoughts the geese have been flying south at my house for the past three weeks pretty much nonstop.  And I had to fire up my coal stove last week which is the earliest I've ever had to do that, normally I do it during the second or third week of October at the earliest.  And when I was out in the woods the other day there's tons of acorns and beech nuts.  Hopefully they all add up to a long cold winter.  After the past few years of short seasons we've certainly earned a good long season.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Oct 09, 2019, 04:49 PM
SHORT season ???  SOME of us icefished Dec 15- March 30th last year!  ;)

(https://i.postimg.cc/NyVYHWCb/200-F8-B12-6190-44-BB-ACE6-EA2-ED0-CC172-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/NyVYHWCb)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Oct 09, 2019, 10:18 PM
Most of us, well actually everyone but that one guy, didn't engage in Operation Dingy.   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D  On a side note I can't figure out which is brighter, your sweatshirt or legs.  Geesh put them away.   :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Oct 10, 2019, 11:52 AM
LOL! You’re just jealous Chris! ;)

And I have to make a correction- we were on the ice Dec. 9th last year.

And it wasn’t just me fishing in March- Carpboy, Slaphappy and Icehound were still at it too!  ;D

This was at Duck Harbor on March 16th

(https://i.postimg.cc/QH0kgBjF/2-EC79-D69-C187-456-B-912-B-30-E58-A239-C3-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QH0kgBjF)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Oct 10, 2019, 05:45 PM
I'm willing to bet those guys weren't part of Operation Dingy.   ;)  You're right about being a little jealous, last year was a tough year and I didn't get out much with everything going on.  This year I'm in full ice fishing mode and am ready to go right now all I need is the safe ice.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: YukonClam on Oct 10, 2019, 06:28 PM
Was looking at ice fishing gear today.  Thinking it wont be long. 
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Oct 11, 2019, 08:15 AM
I'm willing to bet those guys weren't part of Operation Dingy.   ;)  You're right about being a little jealous, last year was a tough year and I didn't get out much with everything going on.  This year I'm in full ice fishing mode and am ready to go right now all I need is the safe ice.

OK Chris................. ................as soon as we have 2" I'll give you a call and we will put OPERATION ICE-DINGY into effect!  ;D
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Oct 11, 2019, 07:33 PM
 ;D ;D ;D ;D Attempting to do OPERATION ICE-DINGY on two inches of ice  with me is going to be OPERATION ICE-BREAKER.  I think it's a pretty safe bet that I'd need three inches of ice for a minimum to make OPERATION ICE-DINGY successful. 
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: PaGerg on Oct 11, 2019, 09:35 PM
Fished iced till 2nd week March last year on High Point
Was on a fishing trip last week at Deep Creek and all that we talked about was ice fishing, friend caught a 41” 17# Pike biggest debate was how tough that would be through an 8” hole lol.
Got a new camera and other gadgets to keep me going till ice.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Spider1 on Oct 12, 2019, 05:04 AM
geez, if there's 2" of ice, I'll just wait a week or so until there's 4". I got a feeling the ice is gonna grow fast this year... got my fingers crossed. ;)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Oct 12, 2019, 10:32 AM
OK- 3” Chris!  ;)

I hope you’r right, Spider! I just looked up the long range forecast for Promised Land and I like what I see! (Especially the second week of Dec!  @))

(https://i.postimg.cc/R6Hp8VCN/EC01-D5-DF-32-C3-4052-86-A3-64-DBE6998-F6-D.png) (https://postimg.cc/R6Hp8VCN)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: StonecoldCat on Oct 13, 2019, 06:06 AM
 Looks like some think we're for a long hard winter:https://www.cbsnews.com/news/squirrel-nuts-squirrels-stashed-over-200-walnuts-under-hood-of-car-pennsylvania-2019-10-09/ (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/squirrel-nuts-squirrels-stashed-over-200-walnuts-under-hood-of-car-pennsylvania-2019-10-09/)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: icehound67 on Oct 14, 2019, 07:01 PM
Perry the bearer of good news, that’s great news, hopefully it’s true.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Oct 14, 2019, 08:01 PM
I was out in the woods over the weekend and there's tons of acorn and beech nuts on the ground.  It's been a long time since I saw so many so that's a really good sign of a long cold winter. 
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Oct 17, 2019, 08:40 AM
Perry the bearer of good news, that’s great news, hopefully it’s true.

I try to stay optimistic!  ;)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: captain54 on Oct 17, 2019, 09:49 AM
We need a good long ice season....no yo yo temps and rain.....I've got way to much equipment sitting in the garage and basement.....
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Oct 17, 2019, 11:26 AM
I hear ya Captain!
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Oct 17, 2019, 05:58 PM
I'm with you there Captain.  I was just checking over some of the gear and started thinking when do you have enough jigs.  Well the answer I came up with is never so far I have four boxes of jigs and counting.    At this rate I'm going to need a sled just for boxes of jigs.   ;)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: icehound67 on Oct 20, 2019, 07:26 AM
That’s crazy talk, there’s no such thing as too much..........that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!  However my wife doesn’t necessarily agree with that concept so I then go to the “it’s all an investment “ idea.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: supervdl on Oct 21, 2019, 06:56 AM
We need a good long ice season....no yo yo temps and rain.....I've got way to much equipment sitting in the garage and basement.....

I agree but it looks like the winter forecast last week from the national weather service is not very promising....
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: supervdl on Oct 21, 2019, 06:59 AM


https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/winter-outlook-warmer-than-average-for-many-wetter-in-north

don't want to bring negative vibes but this doesn't look good for us.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Spider1 on Oct 21, 2019, 11:04 AM
                                           
(https://i.postimg.cc/H8jjWDVB/nooooo.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/H8jjWDVB)



LALALALALALALALALALALA LALALALALA.... I can't here you... LALALALALALALALALALALA LALALALALA
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Muggsy on Oct 21, 2019, 04:01 PM
That report reads like a bunch of double talk.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: supervdl on Oct 22, 2019, 07:21 AM
                                           
(https://i.postimg.cc/H8jjWDVB/nooooo.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/H8jjWDVB)



LALALALALALALALALALALA LALALALALA.... I can't here you... LALALALALALALALALALALA LALALALALA

LOL
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Oct 23, 2019, 11:49 AM

https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/winter-outlook-warmer-than-average-for-many-wetter-in-north

don't want to bring negative vibes but this doesn't look good for us.

Then quit the CRAZY talk! I’m with Spider!  ;)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Oct 23, 2019, 11:54 AM
I just checked Accuweather again, and I’m going with THIS one!  ;D

(https://i.postimg.cc/WDrWkBBV/A2-D50783-0-BCE-48-BF-B716-922-C1-B74-F997.png) (https://postimg.cc/WDrWkBBV)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Oct 23, 2019, 09:35 PM
That's a nice forecast now let's pray to the ice fishing Gods that it turns out to be accurate.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Spider1 on Oct 24, 2019, 05:47 AM
well, it was 33° this morning when I passed the local bank. No matter what the forecast, winter is on the way and we gotta make the most out of what we get.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: supervdl on Oct 24, 2019, 06:41 AM
well, it was 33° this morning when I passed the local bank. No matter what the forecast, winter is on the way and we gotta make the most out of what we get.

I definitely will make the most of it as I do every year.
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Oct 24, 2019, 08:50 AM
It was 32* on my car thermometer this morning. Will definitely make the best of it this year.................. .......I think a few of us got just about as much as you possibly could out of last year!  ;)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Spider1 on Oct 24, 2019, 09:43 AM
I already packed up my soft water gear. Gonna be busy this fall so I packed it up and dug out the ice gear. I could hit the ice after work today.... like... if there was ice... :icefish:
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Oct 24, 2019, 11:28 AM
Well, lets GO Spider! I bet we could find ice within a day's drive................. ...................... .....  ;)
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Chris338378 on Oct 24, 2019, 04:07 PM
From what I read here the guys in Maine are out on the ice in places and that's around an 8 hour drive and I happen to know a really good seafood restaurant there. 
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: icehound67 on Oct 24, 2019, 05:08 PM
I’m in let me know,even if I’m not ready!!!
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Spider1 on Oct 25, 2019, 05:26 AM
LOL! nooooooo.... The Maine board isn't saying anything about walking on ice at all. Wishful thinking. Besides, I ain't even thinking of a 16hr drive. Maybe in December, not October. I doubt even in December.... Maybe NY, But Maine... I think they are safe from me invading, LOL!
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: RuttNutt on Oct 25, 2019, 10:26 AM
Awe, c'mon SPider................ ................. ;D

But seriously, I've been wanting to get up to Lake George for several years now to give the Lakers a try. Maybe this year.................. ............ ???
Title: Re: sooooo....
Post by: Spider1 on Oct 26, 2019, 05:46 AM
I'd say there's a good chance of that :tipup: