Mantua is still fishing well

[Itinerant]

Spent the morning on Mantua, it started slow but turned on about 20 minutes after the sun peaked over the mountains. Once on it was ON for about 2 hours and I left about 1115 after it slowed down. Fished small jigs tipped with a single maggot and most of the fish wanted a constant pounding motion with the jig today. I don't keep score but my catch/keep ratio today was about 5:1 and I brought home 15 perch. I did catch a lot of nice gills but didn't keep any today. No bass or slime rockets.

[muskyon46]

sweet action Itinerant    if you dont mind me askin was there any good size to the perch?

[Itinerant]

A lot of 6 inchers, but enough 8-9 inch fish to keep it interesting.

[theguide]

I've never fished Mantua.  I was thinking about getting my kids out on Monday, as they will be out of school.  Can you recommend a general area of the lake to start at?  Also, how deep is Mantua, and in what depth do you usually find the fish?  Would actually like to give them a chance to catch a couple of the different fish that are in there.  Any help is appreciated.

[Itinerant]

TG, I'll answer your specific questions first and then provide some additional information. For a newcomer to the lake I would recommend you start in the area south of the knoll, which is the prominent terrain feature on the east side of the lake . The deepest water I have located is 23' but this is nowhere near the area I've described. I generally fish water between 8'-14' because that's where most of the standing weeds are and weeds=fish. If you draw a line from the inlet, which near the SE corner of the lake, to the point of land at the knoll and fish closer to the knoll than the inlet that will get you pretty close, I have found some good areas further west of that as well. There is open water at the inlet right now so you'll be able to see where I'm talking about. Access is off the south road, there is a turn around at the east end of the lake (narrow road), please don't block the one good access-you'll see it-as this makes it difficult if not impossible to get equipment and 4 wheelers onto and off of the lake.

The key is to locate the edges of the weeds, whether that's an outside edge or a pocket. Once you've located an area that's holding fish you may find that movements as small as 18"-24" inches can make a big difference in catch rate. Don't make the mistake of picking a random spot on the lake, drilling one hole per fisherman and camping out. You might win the lottery, so to speak, but your chances are about as good. Fish small to target the gills and perch and you will likely catch some trout and bass as well. If you fish the big stuff you may catch some trout, though the trout fishing has slowed down a lot of late, but you won't catch much, if anything, else. Balance your small offerings on light line with a sensitive rod and jig actively. Not big jigging movements, just bouncing the jig on the end of your line, when you don't feel the jig a fish has it so set the hook. Tip with a single maggot or wax worm, I prefer maggots myself and the local store on Main Street there in Mantua sells them.

Electronics are pretty much essential for finding the weeds and weed edges, once you're on your spot you really don't need them. The above info will more than get you going at Mantua, or perhaps it will help you decide that Mantua isn't your cup of tea, either way, good luck and let us know how you do.

[sorenson]

Tip with a single maggot or wax worm, I prefer maggots myself and the local store on Main Street there in Mantua sells them.

Out of curiosity, do you prefer maggots over wax worms due to their durability, or in your experience, do the maggots illicit more bites?
S.

[Dizzy]

Terrific post Itinerant! 

In my limited experience at Mantua I've gotten on at the boat launch (SW corner) and fished about 300-400 yards off the dam. Decent results, but nearly all trout and not the panfish I was looking for.

I'll be changing my approach next time I fish there. Thank you.

[Itinerant]

Out of curiosity, do you prefer maggots over wax worms due to their durability, or in your experience, do the maggots illicit more bites?
S.

Three reasons; durability on the hook and storage longevity are the biggest factors, and their size balances better with what I'm fishing jig wise. I fish wax worms when I can't get maggots and they work fine. I forgot to mention for those who have never used maggots, the pointy end is the head, and the fatter end with the two small black dots is the butt. Roll them gently between your thumb and forefinger and then hook them as close to the butt end as you can.

[theguide]

Like Dizzy said, great post. That is a lot of good, useful information.  With the expected weather coming in tomorrow, I probably won't take the kids out in it. It won't be long though. Thanks.

[muskyon46]

X3 on that    great post Itinerant. Might have to start fishin a few of them maggots. I have had pretty good results with the gulp ones, but usually stick with the waxies. Would definately like to get more longevity out of my bait though

[theguide]

Itinerant, do you know how early the store there opens in the morning?

[Itinerant]

Itinerant, do you know how early the store there opens in the morning?

Sorry, no I don't, but you can call them at (435)723-1292. The Brigham Wal-Mart somtimes has them but it's hit or miss.

[Dizzy]

I saw on another site that guys were buying spikes (aka; maggots, fly larva) at Petco? I haven't checked it out myself but I definitely prefer spikes to wax worms.

I know the website that I used to mail order from (www.Grubco.com) sold them as "fly larva" and was actually a pet food distributor that just happened to strike unexpected gold with the ice fishing community.

[Itinerant]

Fished this morning in the rain which turned to snow about 10:00. As expected the bite turned on late but it did turn on and my brother and I caught some nice fish. The big fish of the day was a largemouth my brother caught which was ~17 inches in length/~ 3 pounds, otherwise a good mix of gills and perch. The largie popped off just as it's head cleared the ice and it couldn't turn around in the 6" hole, pretty funny watching my bro go elbow deep trying to scoop it out.  He was successful so we took a quick pic and back it went.

There is about 8 inches of cloudy ice and I saw several small pockets of open water scattered about so if you venture out watch where you are going, especially with the new snow cover. The edges were VERY soft when we came off the ice at noon and I went through in knee deep water about 5 feet from shore.

[muskyon46]

Good on ya gettin out in this crappy weather itinerant  This rain is gonna have all the edges soft everywhere. Sweet action on your bro pullin that largie, good size too. I know I've had my arm elbow deep more than once sometimes you just do whatcha gotta do

[prospector]

Bring on the cold boys. I am not ready to call it quits yet.   Might have to move up my next trip down I guess. Go Niners! BTW, nice bass.

[sorenson]

Ice access still ok?  Was thinking about this weekend, but w/ more rain in the forecast, it's looking a bit dicey.
S.

[dubob]

Drove my snowmobile on and off yesterday at the boat launch, no problem.  Wheeler tracks also visable nearby on and off the ice.  Ice itself at least 8 inches.  Go for it.  Weak ice near the south road access to the ice.  Talked to two gentlemen that broke through coming on early in the day.

[sorenson]

Thanks Bob.  I rarely access from the SE corner anyway; I prefer the walk from the boat ramp.  Settles me down from the drive I guess...and I am more confident in not getting my truck towed by Barney if I'm safely in a parking lot! 
S.

[Itinerant]

Ice access still ok?  Was thinking about this weekend, but w/ more rain in the forecast, it's looking a bit dicey.
S.

Looks like we'll get some weather today into tomorrow but Saturday and Sunday's forecasts look promising. Should be cold enough overnight to keep the slush at bay. I'm planning on exploring sections of the lake over on the NE quadrant, perhaps we could meet up?

[dubob]

I'm planning a return trip tomorrow.

[sorenson]

Looks like we'll get some weather today into tomorrow but Saturday and Sunday's forecasts look promising. Should be cold enough overnight to keep the slush at bay. I'm planning on exploring sections of the lake over on the NE quadrant, perhaps we could meet up?

Might be able to make it Saturday; kids have hockey early AM, but after that I'm probably good to go.
S.

[Itinerant]

Still going.......



The ice is still in pretty good shape although getting off can be dicey later in the day depending on the location.

[muskyon46]

Man itinerant thats a sweet largie  guess is shoulda listened to my buddy and went there today instead of the view

[prospector]

That is a pig! Good job.