IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Vermont => Ice Fishing Vermont => Topic started by: NHHARDWATER on Feb 20, 2018, 10:46 AM
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Im planning on taking my Wife and 2 Boys out to enjoy the weather, and hopefully the fishing tomorrow. Anyone else Going to be near Hathaway tomorrow?
Any info on the Ice and shoreline is much appreciated. Want to make sure they are equipped properly for the ice/water situation.
Thanks!
Aaron
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Ill be there after work. Its wet out there bring waterproof stuff
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How much water on the ice are we talking?
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Just got off not bad with water on the ice but watch the shore lines big cracks and holes opening up. As for fish we chased them all morning slow bite tomorrow is going to be windy and rain not good for the ice good luck
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Thanks for the heads up!
I may end up Solo, my wife and at least one of my boys backed out already :-\
I will be out there. If anyone wants to join me!
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Just got off not bad with water on the ice but watch the shore lines big cracks and holes opening up. As for fish we chased them all morning slow bite tomorrow is going to be windy and rain not good for the ice good luck
yeah we did gosh those fish were moving hard
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I don't think the big schools are in yet
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If so were gonna need a boat to get em no pun intended
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Just got off not bad with water on the ice but watch the shore lines big cracks and holes opening up. As for fish we chased them all morning slow bite tomorrow is going to be windy and rain not good for the ice good luck
JJ,
Any snow left on the ice or is it slick?
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No snow left it slick with puddles
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Great! Thanks for the info.
Will update this post with my report tomorrow.
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Good luck to you Hardwater! Stay dry. :icefish:
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Stay dry I was soaked today apparently my frabill suit isn’t waterproof
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anybody out on the bay this morning wondering how getting on is thinking of coming up for the afternoon
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I’m going out tomorrow morning the cold tonight will hopefully lock everything down a bit
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Fished the cove at Hathaway for Sunny’s very slow warden told me they weren’t getting many whites out there next to nothing
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If ya don’t have a flasher your not going to get much
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Small schools moving extremely fast. If they stay underneath you can fill a bucket quick.
Last week you could catch all you wanted in 3 or 4 holes.
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Well I’ll hopefully fill a bucket tomorrow in the morning any1 care to join me
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Ice fiend let me know how You do I am going Friday
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Had someone who walked everywhere with a vexlar around 1. Couldn't mark a thing and by the time he was done around 2, everyone was gone around him. I think they have yet to stack up in there.
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I’ve heard they were really in there last week.
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Report on Yesterday (Wednesday 2/21):
We picked up on a school early, holding bigger whites... right off the point. They were not hanging out though. We lost the school, and struggled to find them from 9am until about noon.
At Noon, they came slow, seemed like small schools of males. We were out near the can.
Rain came in for an hour, then at about 2pm, we decided to hole hop our way back to the truck. A big school showed up somewhere about half way between the can and the point, and they stayed stacked up on our flashers and were still there when we left at 5pm.
The PM Bite was much better than the am bite wednesday.
They were finicky. Had to work for them. Without a flasher I would have struggled to catch even enough for dinner.
Caught most on a Clown Hali with a piece of shiner meat. Spikes were like leftovers to them, Not interested.
My buddy caught his majority on a glow tunsten.
Shoreline was still good when we left. Ice was 10-11" people on side by sides and wheelers out there.... I wouldn't recommend it though. About 1-2" water on the ice.
Watch for man holes. Saw a couple of 14 inchers and growing.
Good luck to those out there. I will be back on Sunday!
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Anybody fishing the bay on friday morning thinking of going up but would hate to be the only one out there
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Nice job, Aaron! Glad you were able to find them. How much did you end up with? Hopefully the ice holds on. It will be at least a week before PB and I would be able to make it up there.
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Nice job, Aaron! Glad you were able to find them. How much did you end up with? Hopefully the ice holds on. It will be at least a week before PB and I would be able to make it up there.
WE left the lake with a full bucket each. Not crazy, but decent. Size ran smaller than usual, but I think its mostly the males that we found.
Ice should be fine through this weekend. Next weeks weather, I dont think will help OR hurt it much.
Im going back this sunday, and planning on another trip out in March to fish with ShiveringJoe and his crew.
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Nice! A full bucket is as much as I want to clean, anyway. ;)
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Pro fish I will be there Friday bright and early
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I have never targeted white perch but have got a few as i fish for perch in the area. The ones I ate didn't seem to taste that great..just my opinion . Guys getting 3 or 4 buckets are selling I would guess. I was just wondering what they are paying... I heard the price was down last year due to commercial fishing for them in the great lakes .
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Just got off with 70 lbs 2 full buckets dud good till noon then they shut down hard
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Did u have to chase them ice fiend
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$.40 per pound, I heard
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Nice work Ice Fiend.
Same Q, they hanging out or moving?
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Found a small school early on chased for a bit then found a moderately nice sized school sat on them till 11:30 then they moved again
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$8.00 a bucket + or -
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I have a hard time telling the difference in taste between white perch and yellow perch in the winter. The yellows are better, but not by much. Whites in the summer are not that great, though. They get a fishier taste as the water warms. At least that's been our experience with them.
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I have a hard time telling the difference in taste between white perch and yellow perch in the winter. The yellows are better, but not by much. Whites in the summer are not that great, though. They get a fishier taste as the water warms. At least that's been our experience with them.
Try shaving the grey fatty layer off the outside of your fillet (between the meat and the skin). I did this and it reduces the oil/fat that gives the strong taste.
I personally love eating White perch. One of my favorites, right up there with Walleye.
One of the reasons we put so many miles on this time of year to go to Champlain. I can stock my freezer with the fish my wife, kids and I like to eat.
...Saves the lives of many Smallmouth ;D
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How close are u to winny?
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$8.00 a bucket + or -
for me it was 13.00 a bucket lol
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Ice fiend was on them good..thanks for the help..
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No problem man I do it for the fun always happy to help
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How close are u to winny?
Assuming this question was for me....
I am just south of White River Jct by 10 minutes (NH side)... So Winni is about an hour and a half. 2hrs to get to moultonborough bay.... Winni has Champlain beat in terms of the SIZE of the White perch, but numbers cant touch Champlain.
I would rather drive 2hrs west, than 2hrs east ;D
I see you are in NEK. I grew up in Lyndon. :thumbsup:
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Slow bite today very slow only got a half bucket
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Ice fiend after u left they came in a big school filled a bucket and then they left
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Typical.
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I plan on being there in the morning to try and chase the whites
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I’ll be there in the afternoon... hope I can get some meat for the freezer. Not sure if I’ll get another shot in St. Albans this year.
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I'll be there bright and early as well.
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Same here
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Leaving the house now- hope they are stacked and packed in the bay!!
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Thinking about bringing the kids out mid day. Wondering if anybody can tell me what the wind is doing?
Thanks
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Thinking about bringing the kids out mid day. Wondering if anybody can tell me what the wind is doing?
Thanks
Bit late, but the wind died down a bit since this morning. There is about 2-3" of water on top of the ice. Smaller schools are there moving around but you can fill a bucket. I managed half bucket and took off but could've kept going. Got two 14" pigs!
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Ended up with a pail and a half very tough day found em rightvoff butvthe pressure from so many people scared em off my only complaint was I’d find the fish and start catching em some one would drill 5-6 feet away and scare the fish and I’d have to go find em this happened 3-4 times
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Ice fiend I’m going Tuesday u going back this week
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I wish but no with schools on vaca I work 7-3 all week
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I also managed a 19.5" smallie which was a bit of a surprise. Nice to have two master angler fish down for the year
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Nice work. I got my 14” white yesterday and had a smallmouth that I didn’t measure but was probably right around 19”. Unless they changed the rules you can’t submit bass for MA that are out of season. I’ve tried before with both large and smallmouth from ice fishing.
I also managed a 19.5" smallie which was a bit of a surprise. Nice to have two master angler fish down for the year
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Nice! I caught a nearly 14 inch white yesterday making it my third MA of the year. Me and a couple buddies managed 4 buckets yesterday! So many pigs!
I also managed a 19.5" smallie which was a bit of a surprise. Nice to have two master angler fish down for the year
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Nice work. I got my 14” white yesterday and had a smallmouth that I didn’t measure but was probably right around 19”. Unless they changed the rules you can’t submit bass for MA that are out of season. I’ve tried before with both large and smallmouth from ice fishing.
Ah! That did not even cross my mind, that would make sense though. Well guess I am back to just the white perch from yesterday
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went road fishing this am...1 guy out between the barrel and and the point and 1 guy out by lazy lady. at Van Everest 6 or 8 people... raining and blowing. was going to head out, but tomorrow sounds like a lot better day. Retirement is a great thing ;D
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The ice out there isn’t going to last long not with all the rain and old holes I think I’m done with the whites for ice fishing gotta
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went road fishing this am...1 guy out between the barrel and and the point and 1 guy out by lazy lady. at Van Everest 6 or 8 people... raining and blowing. was going to head out, but tomorrow sounds like a lot better day. Retirement is a great thing ;D
HaHa, That was me and my Boy at Hathaway Sunday... Clam Flip Shack?
That Wind/rain mix was Nasty.
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Any one fish out there today how was the bite? I am heading out there tomorrow
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Any one fish out there today how was the bite? I am heading out there tomorrow
I'm planning on a late afternoon trip myself. Any updates anyone?
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Oh man Matt’s gonna becout there nobody bring your fishfinder lol ;D ;D I know a few guys who did ok today idk where in the bay they were but they did ok
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I'm planning on a late afternoon trip myself. Any updates anyone?
Wow, bring your radiation monitor, Matt, will be blasting with that Marcum! LOL
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Wow, bring your radiation monitor, Matt, will be blasting with that Marcum! LOL
ive heard that as well shiveringjoe mentioned that to me on Saturday lol
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Poor Matt... those LX-7's just don't play well with others.
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Poor Matt... those LX-7's just don't play well with others.
;D ;D
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Poor Matt... those LX-7's just don't play well with others.
Matt we'll just have to go out together with our LX-7s and blow everyone else away ;D
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Matt we'll just have to go out together with our LX-7s and blow everyone else away ;D
They're nice flashers, just need to have a spare one on hand while
The other Ones getting repaired!
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They're nice flashers, just need to have a spare one on hand while
The other Ones getting repaired!
Yup!
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They're nice flashers, just need to have a spare one on hand while
The other Ones getting repaired!
I've had mine for two seasons with no issues. I thought it was the mechanical Marcums that had trouble
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I had so much interference from the Marcums on the ice on Saturday it was unreal I literally had to turn mine off for a portion of the day
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Ive had mine in 3 times in 3 years for repairs....good customer service, but the product quality is lacking.
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I've had mine for two seasons with no issues. I thought it was the mechanical Marcums that had trouble
I've owned my VX-1P since 2012, just replaced battery 2 years ago and it went in for brushes last year mid-season and they got it back to me within a couple weeks so I didn't lose much time without having it.
I do get a lot of interference from other units, including the various Marcums, Vexilars and Humminbirds used near me, but can usually get most of the screen clutter to minimize by tapping the IR button several times.
Mine unit does cause the other units around me to go wacko, not sure why since the power output is much lower than their units and I always turn the gain down on mine to the lowest setting to just show my lure and the fish under the puck.
All in all, I'm satisfied with my entry level unit, since I bought it it has done well by me.
I plan on upgrading and keeping it as a spare for use as a backup or with peeps that I'm bringing out with me.
Studying on whether to buy the ice puck & portable kit for my Garmin EchoMAP 5DV or just get another dedicated flasher like a Humminbird 55, both are within the price point and features I want.
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Ive had mine in 3 times in 3 years for repairs....good customer service, but the product quality is lacking.
I believe I got mine after they did an upgrade to it, so maybe that is why I'm not having any trouble yet. Sorry to hear that!
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I've owned my VX-1P since 2012, just replaced battery 2 years ago and it went in for brushes last year mid-season and they got it back to me within a couple weeks so I didn't lose much time without having it.
I do get a lot of interference from other units, including the various Marcums, Vexilars and Humminbirds used near me, but can usually get most of the screen clutter to minimize by tapping the IR button several times.
Mine unit does cause the other units around me to go wacko, not sure why since the power output is much lower than their units and I always turn the gain down on mine to the lowest setting to just show my lure and the fish under the puck.
All in all, I'm satisfied with my entry level unit, since I bought it it has done well by me.
I plan on upgrading and keeping it as a spare for use as a backup or with peeps that I'm bringing out with me.
Studying on whether to buy the ice puck & portable kit for my Garmin EchoMAP 5DV or just get another dedicated flasher like a Humminbird 55, both are within the price point and features I want.
I almost always fish solo so I obviously don't run into interference issues. TheFishingWeatherman and I do have to keep distance if we are using them too close, as my LX7 will cause interference on his screen (I think Helix 5 ice). Seems like mine causes other people issues, but not the other way around. Although Saturday when I was close to the crowd over the school I did get some.
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I've had my Vex FL 18 for approx 15 years now. The thing is indestructible. I once had the high speed transducer hooked up to the back of the boat on Lake of the Woods and I noticed it was rooster tailing. Moments later the transducer mounted to the back of the boat came off and it took the hole unit into the water (doing prob 40MPH). Turned around and found my vexilar floating in the water! Luckily the battery came loose or I probably would've lost everything... Never had one problem with it in 15 years. Upgraded to the Tri-beam transducer 4 years or so ago which is nice. I'm going to try a couple buddies newer ones (trip to MN) which have the "weed mode". Curious if it cuts down the weeds pretty good while still seeing a small tungsten... I think I've seen youtube videos already. Going to Lake Winnipeg, Canada in mid-march for some pig marble eyes!! I think I'm going to top my PB 29.25" Walter. Got Bruin Outfitters guiding 4 of us.
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I have the flx28 with weedmode and have used it sucessfully. Worked well for me even fishing for crappies in 3-5 fow. Others have complained about limited success.
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Was anyone out there today headed tomorrow just wondering the ice conditions and how getting on is
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It’s a good day when u pull 6 pails of whites off the ice well 3 left with the China men lol if it rains not going to be good this weekend
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Grrrrr everybody’s making me jealous
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Grrrrr everybody’s making me jealous
Unless you're selling them, anything over a couple pails in a day becomes a PITA very quickly! Fun while you're landing them, but then what? Hahaha
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I do it for fun I love fishing em
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I do it for fun I love fishing em
That's awesome.
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It’s a good day when u pull 6 pails of whites off the ice well 3 left with the China men lol if it rains not going to be good this weekend
Jigger, you hauled in 6 buckets today?!?!?!
Thats a damn good day right there.
They must have been in there good for morning bite? Or was it better in the pm?
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Fished only 2 holes fished move twice all day then at 3 lost them it was a good day now Sunny’s tomorrow I wish the ice would stay had something that never happen before had 3 Asian gentalmen come out looking for fish took 3 of my 5 gallon pail full of fish ended up with 3 5 gallon pails left of fish in my sled
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Fished only 2 holes fished move twice all day then at 3 lost them it was a good day now Sunny’s tomorrow I wish the ice would stay had something that never happen before had 3 Asian gentalmen come out looking for fish took 3 of my 5 gallon pail full of fish ended up with 3 5 gallon pails left of fish in my sled
You caught 10 buckets?
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Went into the horde of people after work, a nice gentlemen offered his hole to me when I got there. Steady bite for a while and they ended up scattering and moving fast. Caught a few flurries before I left and took home about 2.5 buckets. The Asian guys cracked me up. They were really going to meet people AT the bait shop and intercept them and offer more than the bait shop, lmao.
Shores and ice are going fast, but I think this weekend people will manage to get out with boards. Wish the schools were bigger and moved slower, but still a good afternoon.
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I’ll be there Friday
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Hoping I can get my Father to come out with me Sunday.
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Perch bait and I will be there this afternoon. Anyone else going to be out there?
Good luck everyone!
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How is the ice doing up that way? Is a plank necessary? I may make the almost 4 hour drive up there saturday to extend my season. The season is toast down in MA.
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Hoping I can get my Father to come out with me Sunday.
Just a heads up, Heard all the Whites left. Headed south to deeper water ;D
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Just a heads up, Heard all the Whites left. Headed south to deeper water ;D
;D
Oh man. They left??? You trying to say I should go to Willoughby this weekend? ;)
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They were earlier this year than the previous years.
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Nice work guys!
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I’m bringing a plank on friday
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I was there petty sure they paid $90.00 for 3 pails
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wont be no ice on Friday! just drove by its looking pretty soft! you're pretty brave if you go out on there!
I’m bringing a plank on friday
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If so I’ll go somewhere else I was told it was still 8 inches
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Was there today still around 8" of ice and managed to catch two 7 gal pails full of whites
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I’m waiting for perch baits story on his trip today lol
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I was there petty sure they paid $90.00 for 3 pails
Must be some really big pails!!
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I’m waiting for perch baits story on his trip today lol
X2
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I went out Wednesday after work and met Crayfish & Perchbait out there, who were doing ok.
I didn't bother bringing my auger or full compliment of gear, just a bucket, my flasher, a couple jig poles with a handful of bibbets and what was left of some old spikes from 3 weeks back...
I hole hopped for about 20 minutes with nothing on the dial, then found a hole towards the pressure crack that was lit up, stayed on them in that hole for about an hour and caught 30 whites (half a 7 gal pail) which equated to 5.5# boneless-skinless fillets last night.
Getting on was sketchy, getting off was worse...broke thru up to my waist near shore...
Done with Champlain for this season...might try an inland lake this weekend, but I'm thinking this season is coming to a close now.
For those that will continue to fish, be safe, fish aren't worth dying for...
Tight Lines!!!
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Sorry to hear you went through, Mudchuck! That sucks.
We had a school under us most of the time we were out there, but they were being very fussy. We did alright, though. Ended up with 2 good sized mixing bowls full of fillets. Pretty much all I'd want to clean in one night.
Getting on at 12:30, we were able to use a plank that someone had left. Coming off at 5pm, the plank was floating so we had to move some ice chunks around with the spud bar to make an ice bridge. Got off without getting wet, but it was sketchy. Ice at the fishing grounds seemed fine, but may not be able to get to it much longer.
We're hoping to give it one more shot Saturday morning, but that may not be possible.
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Sorry to hear you went through, Mudchuck! That sucks.
We had a school under us most of the time we were out there, but they were being very fussy. We did alright, though. Ended up with 2 good sized mixing bowls full of fillets. Pretty much all I'd want to clean in one night.
Getting on at 12:30, we were able to use a plank that someone had left. Coming off at 5pm, the plank was floating so we had to move some ice chunks around with the spud bar to make an ice bridge. Got off without getting wet, but it was sketchy. Ice at the fishing grounds seemed fine, but may not be able to get to it much longer.
We're hoping to give it one more shot Saturday morning, but that may not be possible.
CRayfish, Let me know if you and PB decide to venture Saturday. I may join you, or at least make a trip out there if you guys want some company.
MUDCHUCK.... That does suck. But Im sure you are aware of that. Was this at the launch or the point that you broke through?
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Nice work guys. Ill be fishing north earlier Sat and may venture down to play with some whites before leaving. Forecast looks decent.
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Aaron ... we are going up Saturday morning. Whether we'll be able to get on the ice or not is the question!
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LOL, I wasn't too concerned as I was carrying back more weight than what I went on with...
10' from shore at the camps
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I’ll be bringing a few planks to get out
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Any1 going out tomorrow
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Going to carmia saterday I’m done with the big lake to nasty looking ice and bad shore lines fell though the ice once that was enough lol
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We went out their today and had the pleasure of fishing with sone nice guys and some teenagers. Every one caught fish but their were two guys and one young boy that were on fire for every one i got they would get ten. The ice is good in most places. But theirs some very sketchy ice also. Take a long plank. some of the guys got wet getting off tonight.
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Ahhh I see ok yup I got a few long planks I’d heard the ice is still pretty safe out there I’m assuming they had fish finders it really makes a difference out there
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Most of us had finders but the key was a small bibit blue and silver with a spike or two used with a rapped very short jigging action.
As for getting on the ice a extension ladder and a plank or two.
Good luck and be safe
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If anyone ventures out Friday could you please post conditions. My son is finally off from crutches and we would love to try the whites out, we have only fished for them once before. We will be coming from close to 2 hours away, so updated ice conditions would be great. Thanks in advance, and be safe out there.
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I’m going to head out tomorrow and look from the shoreline if it’s too dangerous I’ll go somewhere else
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I just got wind from Crayfish2 that the ice is looking very grim and sketchy. If anyone else can confirm or otherwise, please let us all know.
Thanks.
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Ice Fiend told me that there is 6 to 7 inches of ice inside the point with 4 to 5 inches off of the point. Ice around old holes is only about 3 to 4 inches. I called Bayside Bait and Tackle and they said that there were a couple people out there today, but they do not recommend going out there. Doesn't sound good at all. :(
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I drove up through the islands today on business. No one was fishing either side of sandbar or in Keeler's Bay. The Gut is 60% open water and all of the north end is open, no ice. There were a few people fishing Carry Bay and in front of Holliday but there is a lot of open water out in front of Holiday. Dillenback didn't look bad from the road but no one was fishing there. One constant everywhere was lots of erosion on the shoreline. Depending on where you want to go on the ice you're looking at 4-6' of open water to cross. Unless it gets a lot colder soon i think we're done.
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I got out there and promptly got my butt right off I’m going to carry bay tomorrow if anyone wants to join
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I drove up through the islands today on business. No one was fishing either side of sandbar or in Keeler's Bay. The Gut is 60% open water and all of the north end is open, no ice. There were a few people fishing Carry Bay and in front of Holliday but there is a lot of open water out in front of Holiday. Dillenback didn't look bad from the road but no one was fishing there. One constant everywhere was lots of erosion on the shoreline. Depending on where you want to go on the ice you're looking at 4-6' of open water to cross. Unless it gets a lot colder soon i think we're done.
We are staying on the south side of the gut. We brought some plank material and are able to get out on about a foot of ice, the wind is really opening stuff up. The north end is gone and if the wind keeps howling or it gets warm again the whole south side will be shot too. We have 14ft planks and it’s ok but an an 8-10 footer ain’t got do it now
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I got out there and promptly got my butt right off I’m going to carry bay tomorrow if anyone wants to join
Crayfish2 and I will be out there as well. Hopefully we'll have some good luck on the gills and seeds! Last time out on the hardwater for us this year unless the weather takes a turn. See you tomorrow Ice Fiend.
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The shoreline at Carry is still solid. It was the only place I saw this morning that looked safe. I still didn't bother going. I hadn't bought bait and glad I didn't. The wind was cranking. I was bummed to see the Gut wide open.
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Yup I’ll be there I planned on fishing whites for docksides derby but I guess I’m going for northerns
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So how long do the whites stay in the bay in numbers? Is the ice going fast is a boat gonna be able to get in in the next week to 10 days?thanks..
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They hang around for quite a while. We've caught them right in the same spot that people are ice-fishing them now well into May. The thing I found with the boat, though, was that the school would scatter if the boat was directly over them. Kind of tricky, but I think you need to find them and then back off a little ways and cast to them.
Also, I doubt if the bay will be boatable in the next week, unless we get some serious wind. Pretty much the whole inland sea is still locked up so there's no place for the ice to go yet.
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Is the ice fishable at St. A? I haven't been on any ice in a few weeks. I'm sure it took a beating...
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Is the ice fishable at St. A? I haven't been on any ice in a few weeks. I'm sure it took a beating...
Drove from st albans bay up to missisquoi yesterday.......saw one portable in st albans bay before hathaway pt rd. Quiet everywhere!
Since I didnt have boots or a spud bar I am not able to verify any access. The snow also didnt help.
Think it is over for me......best options now are up in the NEK if you are willing to travel.
Be safe out there!
Wdy
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Drove from st albans bay up to missisquoi yesterday.......saw one portable in st albans bay before hathaway pt rd. Quiet everywhere!
Since I didnt have boots or a spud bar I am not able to verify any access. The snow also didnt help.
Think it is over for me......best options now are up in the NEK if you are willing to travel.
Be safe out there!
Wdy
Woody, thanks for the report! How did the shorelines look around St albans? Could you see ice toward the point?
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I drove around as well. Ice is accessible with boards BUT.....how much ice is out there? And the snow is covering weak spots. Sucks...this weekend will make shore ice but the snow is insulating the junk ice.
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Woody, thanks for the report! How did the shorelines look around St albans? Could you see ice toward the point?
With the snow on top it was difficult to gauge......in some places it looked like there was only a few feet of water, but the snow on the ice edges could easily be a few inches. Could not see out by the point due to the low visibility because it was snowing.
Suppose one could get on the ice........the other issue is old holes that are now filled with snow that can't be seen.
Hope it helps.....wdy
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Striker suit, ice picks, a long rope, boards, and a friend standing on shore. Who's in?
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Sitting today out......wind is brutal here at the house. Colder weather coming should make the shore better.
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Striker suit, ice picks, a long rope, boards, and a friend standing on shore. Who's in?
Matt, Ive got all of the above (except for the guy on shore, but tie a 100' rope to a tree... that'll do) and Im in for Sunday if its likely to be able to get on. 2hr drive for me, so I need more confirmation... BUT IM IN for one more white perch run!
Let me know if you want to get out!
Joe, If you read this, give me a holler
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Striker suit, ice picks, a long rope, boards, and a friend standing on shore. Who's in?
Good luck guys stay dry!
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I was the only idiot out on the ice on Saturday off Hathaway point. Getting on was tricky, but wearing waders I could get on after getting in to about my knees on the north side of the point. Ice thickness varied from 6 inches to about 12, with the thinner ice around the open water at the north end of the point. There's a big crack in the usual spot, running off the tip of the point eastward out to the green can. I didn't get close to it, and I wouldn't, but it doesn't look like you could cross it anywhere, which rules out accessing anything north of it if you access from kilkare. You would need to get on near where I did if you are trying for north of the point, or walk down from the north somewhere. I am sure there are whites in there somewhere, but I wasn't able to find them.
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Fished the last 8 days... today was probably my last. Everywhere I have fished, I have noticed the ice has degraded significantly. I cannot recommend a place to go without risk.
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Went out to Kilkare/Hathaway yesterday morning (3/17). With the recent snow and cold weather, and conditions have improved. Accessed from the camps on Hathaway point, and fished the cove on the north side of the point, and also out toward the green can. There was a good 10-12 inches of ice, with a couple inches of snowy/slush/crust on top that was in the process of firming up. There was still open water in a very wide crack running from the point out to the green can, and perhaps beyond. This morning we had calm winds and lows around zero, so I would not be surprised if the crack froze over.
I drove past the kilkare access, and saw some footprints leading east from just north of the gate to the park, leading out toward hathway. I can't vouch for the thickness there, but it looked decent.
If you are interested in getting out there for whites, I would be optimistic, but still cautious. Forecast should continue to build more ice this week. Bring your ice spuds, a friend, and perhaps some rope, just in case. Drill frequent test holes. STAY AWAY FROM THE CRACK off hathaway point. Do not try and go around it either. Ice tends to be thin around the tip of the point as well, so swing wide if you walk out. There was no open water getting on the shoreline at kilkare or by the camps at hathaway on the north side.
We weren't able to find the whites, but we were only there a couple hours as the cold wind forced us off. They have to be there somewhere, perhaps in huge numbers, as they tend to thicken up and move shallower this time of the year. If you can find then, you may be rewarded with some big numbers.
Oh, and bring some sunscreen. :)
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I was out there Yesterday (Sunday 3/18). Shoreline ice had healed, we were able to walk on with no issue. The crack had skimmed over, but not safe to try and cross.
Like FishingWeatherman, we caught only 1 white perch, and it was small. Slammed dink yellows lol. I never saw a school of whites on my flasher all day. we were there from 8:00am -5:00pm We drilled tons of holes and fished south, east and north of the point. Fished from 8fow to 20fow and came home empty handed and sunburnt :%$#!:. Wierd that they were that hard to find. good luck and dont be too brave around that crack.
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They've probably moved off the point and are staged closer to black bridge.
Typically they're near that area after just after ice out.
Best guess is to look towards the boat mooring area near the Hathaway boat launch and follow to the inner bay area to the river outlet.
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I was out there Yesterday (Sunday 3/18). Shoreline ice had healed, we were able to walk on with no issue. The crack had skimmed over, but not safe to try and cross.
Like FishingWeatherman, we caught only 1 white perch, and it was small. Slammed dink yellows lol. I never saw a school of whites on my flasher all day. we were there from 8:00am -5:00pm We drilled tons of holes and fished south, east and north of the point. Fished from 8fow to 20fow and came home empty handed and sunburnt :%$#!:. Wierd that they were that hard to find. good luck and dont be too brave around that crack.
That's frustrating...I may try after work this week and this weekend. Will post back later this week.
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That's frustrating...I may try after work this week and this weekend. Will post back later this week.
Thanks Matt. Yes, please report back. I wont be able to make a trip up this weekend (I've got UNCLE duty ;D), but if the weather (and ice) holds, Im going to go up there for my final Bucket Ride on the 31st.
Good luck to you!
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I fished 8-2:30 Wed. 3/20, a dozen keeper yellows, bluebird day, couldn't find any whites.
When I'd left the ice there were 3 guys fishing close to the public boat launch but none were on any whites there either.
Covered a lot of ice, started out in front of the big yellow mansion on the shoreline leading to Hathaway Point, out in 12FOW, then went to 18FOW 2,000 yards from shore, then went to the drop off north of LLI and then out to the channel between the green can and LLI, hardly a fish to be found...nothing but nursery sized yellows every hole.
Steve Martell hadn't seen any whites for a while and only had 2 large ones brought in on Monday.
They're out there somewhere, but not sure if they've moved back out deeper near Burton or are gathering near black bridge.
Typically this late ice they cruise the shoreline from Hathaway Point to the public boat launch, and I checked every pin drop I've marked on Navionics the last 5 years I've caught whites on that shoreline and nothing on my flasher.
Not sure if they're in the shallow waters near black bridge, and that ice just reformed with this cold snap but looked too thin to venture onto...
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Whites were in there early this year, last week of January-first week of February was peak.
I woudnt waste my time, theyre near the rivers.
Couple weeks before that we were catching them near the sandbar by cowbanks
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A few years ago we were pulling them off by the hundreds of pounds during the last week of March into the first week of April, from Hathaway point up to near the boat launch, close to shore. Not sure if they are changing their habits, or if we put a big dent in their population those years. Would be interesting to know if whites tend to spawn on the same areas they were born, like some fish. If so, the damage that was inflected a few years ago might explain this.
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Last year was like that also. Maybe the numbers are depleting, that would be great but i doubt it.
Fish change patterns in lakes all the time. Just when you think you have them figured out.
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A few years ago we were pulling them off by the hundreds of pounds during the last week of March into the first week of April, from Hathaway point up to near the boat launch, close to shore. Not sure if they are changing their habits, or if we put a big dent in their population those years. Would be interesting to know if whites tend to spawn on the same areas they were born, like some fish. If so, the damage that was inflected a few years ago might explain this.
Last year was like that. There was probably over 1,000 pounds sold to bayside in a 3 day span between everyone.
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Like I said years back, populations boomed and now theyre leveling out. It will most likely be hit or miss from this point on. No more guaranteed buckets full in March and April.
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Last year was like that. There was probably over 1,000 pounds sold to bayside in a 3 day span between everyone.
That's actually pretty low numbers compared to a few years ago. Bayside told me a few years back they had estimated 20,000 pounds came through that season. Me and 4 friends caught 26 5 gallon buckets full in one day that year, which came in at close to 850 pounds. Wouldn't mind a couple more buckets this year to pull me through the season, but seems like a big ask this year.
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According to a 1998 Field & Stream article, biologists estimated that ice fisherman caught 86,000 white perch the previous winter averaging 9” from the area off scotch bonnet, just north of button bay. Nothing like that there anymore.
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I may start off at Hathaway in the morning. Feel free to say hi if you see me. Blue and grey striker suit, Ion and white rod holder on my sled.
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According to a 1998 Field & Stream article, biologists estimated that ice fisherman caught 86,000 white perch the previous winter averaging 9” from the area off scotch bonnet, just north of button bay. Nothing like that there anymore.
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hardly ever safe ice in that area anymore mostly none at all . trolling that area at times cant keep the whites off the lures. not sure about the population increasing or decreasing but there are still plenty all the way down past the champlain bridge
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Last spring when I was bullhead fishing in Otter Creek I was catching more whites than bullhead. Not good.
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Has any1 been by st.albans? Is there enough open water for kayak or boat?
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open water by black bridge. still lots of ice ...it would be limited as to where you could go. You could park at the georgia mill river access and put your kayak in near the mouth of the river. Saw a fish and game truck parked there yesterday.
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Thanks man...