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Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Bass => Topic started by: mainemudlog on Jan 18, 2012, 11:54 PM

Title: good depth for bass?
Post by: mainemudlog on Jan 18, 2012, 11:54 PM
I dont do a whole lot of jigging cause i never get much but i wanna pull a bass through the ice with my jig rod. what is a good depth to jig for em?
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: mainemudlog on Jan 19, 2012, 12:24 AM
or splake?
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: Woods Wise on Jan 19, 2012, 03:43 AM
Did well this past weekend jiggin up both in about 35 fow. Right down on bottom, but having a vex certainly did help.
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: fishfinder2008 on Jan 19, 2012, 06:39 AM
I have caught them in really shallow water and water up to 30 feet....I don't think they are to picky if you offer them something they like.. good luck!!  :tipup:
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: bassman2243 on Jan 19, 2012, 07:27 AM
Start in 10-17 feet of water. That's where I target them, and have really good sucess. Off a point, drop off, rock pile, etc.
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: Epkomd on Jan 19, 2012, 07:44 AM
it really depends on the structure of the lake.
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: mainemudlog on Jan 19, 2012, 10:11 AM
Thanks all the tips are very useful. i wasnt sure if i should be in shallow water or deep water and if i should be jiggin right on bottom or if i should be up under the ice. haha like i said im new to it all really.
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: Scalloper on Jan 19, 2012, 12:44 PM
There are two lakes in this area ,West Grand and Cathance,that have bass but I have never seen or herd of anyone catching a bass threw the ice. There are other lakes in this area that produce bass daily but not sure why these two dont.
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: TheOutdoorsman on Jan 19, 2012, 03:59 PM
It depends on whether you are fishing for largemouth or smallmouth.  I've found that certain waters ice-fish well for smallies, while others don't at all, even if they are present.  The waters that do fish well for them through the ice I like to go with big, flashy or glow spoons in 15-30 feet of water.  Largemouths can be quite sluggish, but I have found that they are easily tempted with a tiny, pink jig when they won't hit much else...usually I find them only a few feet below the ice over 10-20 feet of water, while in other lakes I find them only on the bottom in 15-20 feet of water.
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: barkspud on Jan 21, 2012, 04:41 PM
I have two ponds within a  stones throw of where i live. One is 10 to 12 feet deep and loaded with large mouth the fishing is none stop anywhere most days using bait jigging. The smalling pond has good structure and  with good action in that 20 to 30 range. I like those rock mud edges with a jig and peice of sucker belly. Usually good for atleast a dozen even on a slow day but a sonar and patients is required. Lake x in the next town maybe different might be 40 feet but edges of bottom are good spot to work.  They school so one leads to more with drilling a few holes and some fine tuning on location. They come and go i get one or two then there gone but keeps me buisy while waiting for those browns on traps.
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: Trouty on Jan 24, 2012, 11:29 AM
I usually find them in 8-20 fow.  Jig a few feet off bottom.  Good luck!
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: MRC2572 on Feb 12, 2012, 05:08 PM
I have done in well in shallow water. 6-8 fow
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: HUNTnFISHSD on Feb 20, 2013, 09:03 PM
 For largemouth use pike tactics.  :tipup:
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: jibbs on Feb 28, 2013, 05:02 PM
I don't jig but 10 to 20 is the magic number for me...16 to 18 is usually our best depth
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: mr tip up on Mar 19, 2013, 03:23 PM
what ever depth the healthy weeds are at it could be 3 to 30 fow
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: Glowjigger on Mar 18, 2014, 09:09 PM
I've had the best luck between 8 and 15 fow
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: Umainefish on Dec 28, 2014, 05:25 PM
smallmouth sometimes aren't very active depending on the lake
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: UFCreel on Jan 04, 2015, 06:27 AM
I start around 12' Work shallower and deeper.
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: basst_ on Jan 13, 2015, 10:37 AM
i fish in small ponds 10 feet or less.  i set up right near trees and logs. then i jig in the middle.

i caught a 5lbs largemouth off a tree in 10 feet of water. the tree was out from shore. i was catching big bluegills on 4lbs test line.

i caught a lot of bass last season jiggin, but that was jigging for panfish.

another trick i used to use alot before i got into the tiny panfish jigs. i loved a dead shiner maribou crappie jig.

ive caught bass with it laying on bottom while i was chasing a flag.
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: MTredkennels97 on Jan 16, 2015, 02:04 PM
We have a pond close with largemouth and catch a bunch in the summer. I wondered how they fish through the ice. Anyone use a Hali with dead minnows or nightcrawlers? I'm not very experienced fishing jigs as we mostly fished pike with tip ups when I was a kid.
Title: Re: good depth for bass?
Post by: KeukaZ71 on Jan 20, 2015, 01:09 PM
We have a pond close with largemouth and catch a bunch in the summer. I wondered how they fish through the ice. Anyone use a Hali with dead minnows or nightcrawlers? I'm not very experienced fishing jigs as we mostly fished pike with tip ups when I was a kid.

bass shiners roughly 18 inches off the bottom on tipups.

using a jigging rapala 1-2 ft off bottom with a jiggin rod while tipups are out.

my two favorite ways to get bass. fun times