Why I haven’t quit yet.

[dubob]

Yesterday was a grand day to be out on the ice once again.  The fishing wasn’t red-hot, but the weather was just about perfect.  Mostly clear skies with temperatures in the mid 30s and just a slight breeze.  I took my coat off for most of the day.

The place was Mantua.  We got to the boat ramp at about 8:30 AM and found solid ice right up to the shoreline and ramp.  Unloaded the snowmobile and ice sleds, parked the truck and trailer, and headed out onto the ice.



The slush was non-existent; frozen solid.

We set up in 16 FOW to start and found zero fish.  We moved around and tried 6 different locations for the bottom huggers and couldn’t find them.  However, I did manage to pop a couple of nice 15/16 inch, healthy looking trout cruising at about 5 feet down with my Jaw Jacker.

My fishing partner for the day decided to do a walk-about and find some shallower water.  He ended up over 7 FOW and started picking up some gills, perch, and trout.  He gave me a call and I headed over to join him.  I started catching some fish, but they were all too small to keep.  He was having better luck and ended up keeping these for some fish dinners.



His prize for the day was this very nice 12.5” perch.



Well, that’s it folks.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.  And just for the folks that think the ice isn’t safe anymore because the edges are turning into open water, I’d like to let you know that I drilled 9 different sets of holes and the ice thickness was 12 to 13 inches thick at every location.  We picked up and left at 3:00 PM and the ice surface had softened to the point that the snowmobile track was digging into the surface about ½ inch.  There is no snow on top of the ice, so the walking is dicey at best; I strongly recommend wearing ice cleats.

Life is good!

[The Don Mega]

That is a beautiful Perch!  Congratulations on the catch. 

[muskyon46]

Thats a nice perch right there  Looks like we should have saved gas $ and hit mantua monday instead of chester, but then i would not have got onto the bow trophy board for another prize drawing for the tourney. We have to postpone our recon trip to the view until tomorrow, but i did get word today that it also has refroze well. Great trip bob 

[dubob]

I was just getting to walk out the door to drive up there and meet you guys when I decided to check my emails one last time.  Darn good thing I did.  I guess I'll wait and drive up there tomorrow as well.

[800stealth]

That's a jumbo yellow for sure, very nice.

[muskyon46]

I was just getting to walk out the door to drive up there and meet you guys when I decided to check my emails one last time.  Darn good thing I did.  I guess I'll wait and drive up there tomorrow as well.

Sorry bob i should have called you, tomorrows weather should be a little more cooperative also

[prospector]

Happy to hear you guys are still on the ice down yonder. I might just have to take a drive down after all!

[muskyon46]

Happy to hear you guys are still on the ice down yonder. I might just have to take a drive down after all!

Just sent you a text

[eiderz]

Well dubob, I must say it's nice to see a fellow duckhunter and skeet shooter as crazy as me. You know all icefishermen are nuts, right?    Nice story and pics. Tight lines and stay safe out there!

[dubob]

Absolutely stark raving mad.

 

[eiderz]

Absolutely stark raving mad.