I got out Monday and Tuesday. Monday was at the Bellamy. 7" of Ice but there are some very soft areas so be careful out there. I was on my way across and checking when I hit a spot where my hand auger went through in 7 turns. I changed course and found some better ice. The bite was slow but I manages several crappie and a few gills. Very finicky on the bite, they would come right up to the lure but not bite. Micro twitches on a spring bobber was about the only thing that would coax the bite.
Hit A-Bay today. Major goal was setting cusk lines. Got those in and put in a trap and a jig for a little while. Got several small yellows on the jig but the flag stayed quiet until near the end. Then it went off. I pulled the line in a little and could feel a tug so I took up tension and waited for the next tug, and set the hook. I could tell the fish was on but it was headed straight for the hole. A 13+" yellow just about jumped out of the hole, and that was it for the day. Hopefully this high pressure will drop and the bite will become hot again.
I had no less than 4 people walk out to me and ask "How much ice?" I'm a 100 yard from the ramp and 40 yards out in the channel, I think you might want to get that intel at the ramp not out that far. But to top off the circus, as I am coming in I see a motor cycle on the ice, and I think to myself "some gawl durned fool is gonna ride that thing on the ice." Sure enough as I get to the truck this guy goes off on the cycle headed north up to the point and the skinny ice. I watched for a while as he did circles out by the thin ice with the phone in my hand and 91 on the dial ready for that last 1. After about 10 circles he still hadn't gone in so I left. The ice is decent there 8+" and solid in most places but there is some spots with 3-4" black. not a big problem at the moment but could come into play late weekend. Stay cautious, and enjoy the ice.
Oddfish
