Season of Complaining

[Knot there yet]

The year for the complainers about where is ice safe.
 This year I fished more than last two combined. I made the commitment to travel for ice and was rewarded for doing so. No new gear this year spent the money on gas. Total inches of ice I fished was amazing. My goal every year is at least one fish over 6 lbs. Well it may not happen this year. I've caught close to ten 5 lbs bass this season. So no complaints coming from me. All I ever hear is where where where.  We found safe ice every trip in this year not always first spot but we got on. Because we looked. We didn't ask some else for there spot we went and checked.
 I am extremely fortunate to have the group I fish with. We compliment each other because we all have something that helps the others. We got lucky buddy retired on a great pond we fished hard and produced some great fish.
 I fish when I can and not because I feel I have to. I'm on here to share our experience with others. If you fish and and you don't share I don't see the joy in that. Fishing is a church to me that's where I feel the most and closest
to god.
 Thank you all
 Be safe
See you next year
 Special thanks to all I fish with.
 your the best at making me a better fisherman.

[pmaloney86]

I fished much more than I did last year but in 2015 there were epic ice conditions.  We were driving on ice well into March and I have a pic where I measured 14 inches on April 4.  Unfortunately I think last weekend was my last go at it this year.  I'm debating doing some higher elevation trout fishing but not sure if I'll find any takers to go out with me.

Good luck on the pursuit of the 6lber. I've never got a 5lb bass so sounds like you've had one heck of a year.

[protivakid]

The year for the complainers about where is ice safe.
 This year I fished more than last two combined. I made the commitment to travel for ice and was rewarded for doing so. No new gear this year spent the money on gas. Total inches of ice I fished was amazing. My goal every year is at least one fish over 6 lbs. Well it may not happen this year. I've caught close to ten 5 lbs bass this season. So no complaints coming from me. All I ever hear is where where where.  We found safe ice every trip in this year not always first spot but we got on. Because we looked. We didn't ask some else for there spot we went and checked.
 I am extremely fortunate to have the group I fish with. We compliment each other because we all have something that helps the others. We got lucky buddy retired on a great pond we fished hard and produced some great fish.
 I fish when I can and not because I feel I have to. I'm on here to share our experience with others. If you fish and and you don't share I don't see the joy in that. Fishing is a church to me that's where I feel the most and closest
to god.
 Thank you all
 Be safe
See you next year
 Special thanks to all I fish with.
 your the best at making me a better fisherman.

I'm all for checking but it helps when others do the same and report back. That way I can spend an hour checking a few local ponds and not 4 hours checking all over central MA. I don't mind people asking for ice conditions as long as they report back with some of their own.

I fished much more than I did last year but in 2015 there were epic ice conditions.  We were driving on ice well into March and I have a pic where I measured 14 inches on April 4.  Unfortunately I think last weekend was my last go at it this year.  I'm debating doing some higher elevation trout fishing but not sure if I'll find any takers to go out with me.

Good luck on the pursuit of the 6lber. I've never got a 5lb bass so sounds like you've had one heck of a year.

2015 was amazing year, I was only about half way through my season this same time back then.

[Rangerboats391]

sounds like you put the time and effort this year and was rewarded for it. nice job

[bassEater69]

Agreed

[rmoody79]

welcome to Panty Shanty

[fishermantim]

I fish when I can, and catch when the fish are willing. Beyond that, I feel lucky that I'm able to get out and enjoy the fresh (cold) air and sunshine when possible.

My only real complaint is that the season starts and ends too slowly, meaning the transitional period is long enough to make some people take too many risks to either be first on or last off for the season.

I only go when I feel the ice is safe for me....not based solely on hearsay, but tried and true "get-out-and-check-for-myself" recon trips.
That's also how I end up finding some gem fishing spots, so I don't think I'll be changing my habits anytime soon....

[lowaccord66]

First walk on ice December 11.  I've been out every weekend accept one since then...no complaints here.  Might even hang it up now.  Boat needs some loving to get ready for what will be a long open water season. 

[BASSQUATCH]

Honest and true post 👍👍 well said!
There's a 6# in your near future, I feel it. Send me a pm and I'll give you 5 ponds loaded with 6 pounders along with 7's & 8's and a behemoth caught about 8 years ago! I look forward to ice fishing every year and sharing, helping, etc on Ice Shanty. Unfortunately it seems there's always some that have to toss in stupid comments, be a troll, poke the bear, play with matches, etc! Its really too bad because there's some great guys on this site! Allot of them have moved on because of all the immature trolling and bashing and just plain ol stupid comments! I'm sure allot of you have noticed less and less posts on here from the early joiners to I.S. Nobody wants to deal with the crap from these instigators, arm chair anglers, etc!  There are way too many other places to share and enjoy photos of fellow anglers! To the moderators of Ice Shanty (the ones that really control the website) Time to crack down on the trolls, instigators, etc! Or you might find this place a ghost town before long, except for the trolls!
This might be it for me, I'm not sure it's worth my time anymore?! It used to be a great site 🎣

[V Menzone]

Short seasons are great just because we don't get the mid season lulls where the fishing is typically dead.  This year and last I had a lot of good days even late January when its usually hard to buy a flag.

[SMCSullyMan]

No Kidding.  First trip was 12/17 and I've been out every weekend since.  You have to drive a bit but there's still good ice within 90 minutes of the north shore. Based on what I saw this weekend, I think i'll be fishing for the next three weekends at least.

[Sprocket]

This just in from Correspondent Kwitcherbeechin, "http://countdown.onlineclock.net/countdowns/stpatricksday/"

[jon ny]

The year for the complainers about where is ice safe.
 This year I fished more than last two combined. I made the commitment to travel for ice and was rewarded for doing so. No new gear this year spent the money on gas. Total inches of ice I fished was amazing. My goal every year is at least one fish over 6 lbs. Well it may not happen this year. I've caught close to ten 5 lbs bass this season. So no complaints coming from me. All I ever hear is where where where.  We found safe ice every trip in this year not always first spot but we got on. Because we looked. We didn't ask some else for there spot we went and checked.
 I am extremely fortunate to have the group I fish with. We compliment each other because we all have something that helps the others. We got lucky buddy retired on a great pond we fished hard and produced some great fish.
 I fish when I can and not because I feel I have to. I'm on here to share our experience with others. If you fish and and you don't share I don't see the joy in that. Fishing is a church to me that's where I feel the most and closest
to god.
 Thank you all
 Be safe
See you next year
 Special thanks to all I fish with.
 your the best at making me a better fisherman.

There should be more people like you.  Well done!

[BASSQUATCH]

12/19/16 was my first day out.  Fished with allot of great people on and off I.S. Nice to see the regulars and meet some new members this year too. Definitely got my time in this season, with a 96 hour 8 day finale. Also had a once in blue moon day this year.  Back to the real world after my trip, Work will be picking up soon. Hope to meet up for some summer bass adventures!  Night top water is definitely calling me 🎣

[Knot there yet]

welcome to Panty Shanty

A clever piece of whit from Scituate
I'm sure you can figure thiat out. 😉

[Townie]

Great post with some good points but what has been occurring over the past 10 years is unprecedented warm temps. in winter. It's February with no safe local ice. Cold winters have become the exception.

So, yeah-- PLENTY to complain about. I've traveled North a few times, with mixed results. Remember the good 'ol days when you could find ice down the street? Memories...

[Jschumacher]

Same here got on the ice plenty. Traveled a lot and will continue to travel as long as the ice is there.  . Not hangin it up yet

[dam bass]

Thanks for the great post. You certainly worked for it this year. Sometimes that 's the way it goes. I loved your comment of how fishing makes you feel close to God. I can say the same when I'm on the ice, I can definitely feel that as well. It's so amazing to me to be able to walk out on what you need a boat for in spring, summer and fall. If we all thought about that, we'd have a lot less to complain about. Hope you get your 6 lber soon.      D.B.

[Flatland]

Good post. I am of the same mindset. There are some complainers on here, but if we are willing to adjust our expectations there is plenty of good fishing to be had.

I will say that if the three insanely warm winters that we've had in the last 5 years are an indication of climate change then this will just have to be the new normal. If this trend continues, I am afraid ice fishing might be effectively over in Rhode Island for the long term. This marks the second year in a row that we had virtually no walkable ice. 

I'm trying to maintain a positive attitude, though. There's always next year.

[SHaRPS]

This was the first year that I was not able to put in a full day on my usual RI waters and it blows. Traveling was a must the past 2 years. I read other posts about how packed certain MA waters were this year and spot burning being the main contributor. The reality is people from further south (RI, CT, Southern MA) will only travel north or north west to get on ice whenever they have the opportunity and this will be the norm for years to come if the weather continues to be crappy. As far as traveling 300 miles north each way to get on ice, may God bless you if you are able to make that journey at will. I don't see how it's feasible though when you have a newborn, 3 dogs, and 8 puppies at home and a wife doing everything she can on her own. I love ice fishing more than any other sport I'm involved in, but there has to be a fine line between a passion and responsibilities. For those that helped and continue to help me and other members in similar shoes, THANK YOU!!!! You know who you are and you make good times and great memories possible. Stay safe and good luck in your open water adventures!

[rdhammah]

I don't like to travel for ice. I was fortunate this year and fished with some new found friends who did not mind driving to central MA for ice. didn't do great, but was an experience that I am grateful for. another friend  advised of some local ice and we rocked! My 2 favorite ponds and one that I have wanted to try out for the past couple of years did not freeze enough for my liking. Oh, well. God willing, there is next year. it is what it is. As we know, there was plenty of ice out there. just a matter of how badly you want it. If you don't want to travel for it, don't complain.

[ronbgood55]

no/little ice=Complaints...That's Life" and go back to up-dating your equipment and DREAMING........