Fishing like it's early ice or late ice????

[Carp1]

Hey Gang,
Finally talking Ice fishing again.  What's the strategy out there.  Since it's the first ice of the year (technically), do you fish it as such and start more shallow and work your way to deeper water, or is it late enough in the season (regardless of ice) to just start in the deeper holes to look for the late winter fish?  Interested to hear your expert answers as always.

Carp.

[fishinfiend]

i treat it as early ice.   catching fish in shallow spots that work in december.   so far so good  just my 2 cents

[The Darkness]

I agree with fishinfiend.
That's the way I going at it tomorrow.

[Jigmup]

 We had a pretty good thread ealier about this. Man, If I was you I would be setting tip ups right on that giant main lake bar for big Pike

I think if weeds have stayed somewhat crisp in the shallows......fish there! Otherwise, I would fish deep flats, big ones, with some distinct features. Big cuts on them or the edges. Whatever, I'll take lessons from you on "big snakes" Love 'em !

[Carp1]

Jigmup,
you are cracking me up.... You can bet I'll be out there again soon trying to catch those gators....February was always my favorite month for that lake and it's gators too.  I am just wondering if the weeds are still going to be "crisp" with the mild weather, or if it's been long enough in the season to stay away from the dead follage.  Any reports of Ice on the Chapman chain?

[A- bomb]

Not sure on chapman however the 1 st wk of jan. wawasee had   green  weeds down to 17'.  They weren't even really bent over.(aqua vue)Usually by mid jan they look pretty stringy and getting brown.  perch were  in the flats just at the edge @19-22ft.
I can't wait to run a tip up line out there!  not your normal jan.

[fishingfool]

Heh Carp,

Talked to Joe can't fish Saturday but will try to get out Sunday to the Slough. I will let you know how it went.