Posts: 2,841
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
0
Hit Mud Creek this morning to try out the hard deck. Met Bigcat in the parking lot on the way down to the lake and ended up fishing not to far away on the ice. Good thing as I couldn't buy a bite until he gave me some minnow to put with my white tube jig. It was 9 by then and things were slowing down for people. Still no bite for me though.
Bigcat came over to check on me and we stepped across to the south side and said hello to fishin4fun and his group. They were fishing by where they had killed them last week with MGB but not as much action today even though they all had caught fish I think.
Stepped back over to my pole to find I finally had a fish on. Caught 10 more in the next eighty minutes and then back to nothing. Wind came up and fish just stopped bitting again so after a hour or so I called it quits and came home. Beautiful day on the lake though.
Everyone seemed to be in about 20 ft of water and the fish were moving between about 12 ft and the bottom. Just had to move up and down to match the fish in the area at the time.
Thanks again for the minnows Bigcat. Was nice to meet you and fishin4fun.
[signature]
Posts: 1,051
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
0
tlspyder13-
Was nice meeting you as well. Glad the minnows helped. Also good to meet up with fish4fun and his crew
It was a beautiful morning on the hard deck. 24 degree's upon arrival and 29 on departure. Brief periods of mild W... The fishing was good til about 9:45 and then it just quit. We landed about 30 fish between 3 of us using white tubes and minnows. They seemed pretty agressive for the most part but some just came by for a look and see and then headed on their way. Saw several nice size cutt crusing just under the ice first thing in the AM and my first 3 fish were caught less than 5 feet under the ice. One large cutt came by just under the hole and then turned around and opened his mouth and bit my transducer. It got me wondering how to match that pattern with a hook in it for future trips[  ]. I can see it now "hey what were you using?" Ya I was using "A black irregular shaped transducer immitation with size 4 hook duct taped on and a stinger hook off the back" LOL.
All the fish we caught were slot cutts. Earlier in the morning they were suspended shallow and later in the morning they were on the bottom. All in all a really fun day. Always glad to meet a couple more BFTers.
[signature]
Posts: 5,856
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2003
Reputation:
0
Sounds like a pretty decent day on the pond. Did you take a drive over to SB marina to see if the ice looked any thicker?
[signature]
Posts: 682
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2003
Reputation:
0
As mentioned above, we also hit Mud Creek this morning. We arrived right behind tlspyder13 and bigcat (awesome to meet both of you!! Great putting faces to handles!!)
We headed to the genreal area that MGB and I slayed them last Friday. We headed a little further into the bay, found 17 ft of water, back off a bit and plopped down in 20 ft of water. Fishing was fast until about 10 a.m. My dad had two on the deck before any of us had poles in the water! I was still drilling holes. [unsure]
From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. it was hit and miss, but somewhat steady. By the then the big W was really going at it, so we were hunkered down in the ice huts. From about 2-5 p.m. it really picked up again. Right before 5 p.m. it was actually borderline MGB and I type fishing. Slam, fish on, fish off, back down, repeat! [sly]
Overall, a great day, we put over 50 cutts on the ice, 1 over the slot. I think I hit 20+ with most in the early hours, then right at 5. Didn't take many pics this go around, but here is one with a view of the bay. You can see some fishermen out there and that's about the end of good 4" ice, goes bad fast.
Talked to a few others using mealies with little luck, get yourselves some minnows before you make the trip. [ ]
[signature]
Posts: 1,051
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
0
Glad to see you guys were able to make a day of it. Wish I too could have stayed all day. That is great that the fishing picked up in the afternoon cause it had died by the time I had left. A few years ago the evening ice bite was really great but last year we didn't do so great. My dad was asking me this morning out on the ice how I thought the evening bite would be... so thanks for staying all day and posting the favorable report. Afternoons can be the best time to take kids out cause it is usually warmer and more pleaseant at least until the sun drops over the hill. I hope it didn't get too windy up there cause it got REALLY windy down here in Utah Co from about 1:30-4:30. I had stuff flying all over my yard and patio and garbage cans all over the neighborhood! Glad I got to meet you today.
[signature]
Posts: 682
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2003
Reputation:
0
It did get very windy. We were in the shelters, but had to do the ol' one man standing routine. If you both left, goodbye shelter!! [unsure]
I was glad the afternoon bite came on strong too. We hoped it would and was why we waited through the dead part of the day. One thing about the evening, the were very picky. In the morning, most would at least bite or bump it, even if it was a hit and run. In the evening, I graphed more fish, but they need a little more coaxing.
Also, a couple of things for those who haven't been up and something else we noticed today- The bite is very light. I caught 2 today with literally no bite. I went to jig, felt pressure and popped it. Neither went slack nor even wiggled. Crazy how light it was. Also, it seemed that during the 10-2 pm timeframe, less movement was better. I'm a jiggin fool, yet my hits went waaay down and those who jigged less started knocking them dead. Just a thought in case it dies on you and you need something else in your hip pocket. [  ]
P.S. Bigcat- next time I'll wander over to you. Want to check out your finder! [ ] Good to meet you as well, drop me a PM if you are ever in need of a fishin buddy one day. Same to you too tlspyder13.
[signature]
Posts: 417
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2005
Reputation:
0
Sounds like you guys did fairly well. Me and a friend were there all day also. We didn't do so well. We only put two on the ice all day. Between us, we broke off three just before landing them. We had fish on the fish finder all day, just couldn't get them to bite. Sounds like we need to get some minnows and learn how to fish with them.
[signature]
Posts: 682
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2003
Reputation:
0
Playas44- Did you walk right by us? Orange pants? There was 4 of us, camped out in the same general spot. Crap man!! You should have mentioned BFT. I would have ponied up some minnows for a BFT'er. I felt bad not doing it anyway, but we were ripping through them pretty fast and I knew we were staying all day. Still, I would have hooked you up!!!
[signature]
Posts: 417
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2005
Reputation:
0
Yeah, that was us in the orange. I looked for a sign for BFT. We are both a little shy and didn't want to say anything. Normally, we catch a lot of fish on the little jigs with meal worms we were using. BUT not today. Thanks for the offer, we will watch out for you next time.
[signature]
Posts: 682
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2003
Reputation:
0
Still man.. sorry about that! [pirate]
I usually have a BFT sticker lying around, but today you could have caught it flying by!! You know how bad that W was! I really need to put one on the sled or something.
I know the feeling though. I've been up there one day, rocked them on mealies, next day, nothing.
[signature]
Posts: 417
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2005
Reputation:
0
Did you catch anything in the big green jig that you had as we walked by?
[signature]
Posts: 682
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2003
Reputation:
0
Yeah, green and white in that size, plus I caught everything on a red/white maribou jig.
F4F
[signature]
Posts: 417
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2005
Reputation:
0
When you are using a jig that big, do you still use the ice poles or do you use something a little longer and with more back bone? I would think you would have to have something stronger to drive a hook that size through.
Where do you get the minnows? How do you rig a minnow?
My introduction into ice fishing was by people who told me you needed the smallest little jigs you could find. And for the most part, the tiny little jigs have worked very well.
Most of my fishing has been for bass in Mexico. We would just use artifical baits. So, I don't know much about using minnows. Or much about trout fising for that matter.
Thanks for the info.
Jim
[signature]
Posts: 3,669
Threads: 0
Joined: Oct 2003
Reputation:
0
[cool]Hey Playas44, Welcome to BFT/Utah. It has been my experience ice fishing Strawberry that in the earlier part of the season that the cuts (especially the larger ones) prefer a bigger jig tipped with bait (minnows, mealies, waxies, crawler chuncks). When I say bigger jigs I'm referring to Whatta Crickets, Paddlebugs, Foxy jigs (chartruese or white), etc. Usually as the season goes on and the ice gets thicker and the oxygen levels get lower under the ice then the fish often do like smaller jigs as they aren't quite as active as they were earlier in the season.
Me? I like to use either big jigs (like a white whatta cricket is my fav.) this time of year, but my last trip to the berry last year I was at the Soldier Creek side and this old man was out fishing me and I noticed he was using a tandem set up (meaning two jigs) with a paddle bug on the bottom and a smaller clow in the dark icefly about 8 inches above that. I decided to do the same thing so I put a white whatta cricket (similar to a paddlebug, but better IMO) with a glow in the dark ice fly above that. My success got better immediately and I was soon doing as well if not better than him right away.
My point is, that early on in the ice season bigger is (not always, but most of the time) better, but as the season goes on and the fish get a little less active that smaller is often better. Hope this helps.
As for fishing rod size, I still use the short ice rods, but NOT the little crappy flimsy kind (that are designed for tiny panfish like perch, crappie, bluegill, etc.) You cannot get a good hookset with these on the big troutski's of the Northern Utah reservoirs, so use a stiff rod (but make sure you use a strike indicator to detect the bites, 'cause they bite soft a lot of the times). If you want to use a long regular softwater fishing rod that is fine, but personally I like to be closer to the hole so I can be closer to the action, etc.
As for minnows, if you don't have a minnow trap or casting net and didn't get your own minnows earlier in the season then you can buy them at Sportsman's Warehouse (and most other tackle shops around) in the freezer next to the big bait fridge (where your worms, mealies and waxies are). You can get frozen red side shiners there and also chubs, and sucker meat. Good luck on your next trip out.
[signature]
Posts: 1,051
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
0
I'll agree with what O4T said. Generally big earlier in the season and smaller as the the season progresses. I use a 2.5 inch tube jig with a 1/8 oz head now but when things get slow I change to a paddlebug/whatta cricket/or foxee jig and usually go tandem with a icefly/ratso/or rat finkey. At the beginning of last ice season I would catch 8 to 2 on the bigger jig and toward the end of last ice season I was catching 9 to 1 on the smaller jig of the tandem rig.
As far as minnows go... buy some red sidded shiners or chubs at sportsmans in the freezer. keep them frozen. Cut one up into about dime size pieces and put a piece on your jig, sweeten it with some scent and drop it down and hang on.
Also when your out on the ice and not having much luck don't be afraid to take a little walk. On Tuesday you could have met 3 other BFTers (myself, fish4fun, and tlspyder). But mostly anyone out on the ice is willing to help share a few secrets of what is working and we could of shared some minnows. It also a great way to see how different fishfinders work, see sled set ups, and what other fun little contraptions people use. It too bad you spent most the day not catching many fish and not learning anything new to help you do any better for next time. Hope this helps!
[signature]
Posts: 2,841
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
0
Now I feel bad I didn't go for a longer walk. I was going to walk out to you Playas44 and ask how deep the ice was there and kept talking myself out of it. Didn't know you were a BFTer but most people will tell me how deep the ice is. Bigcat shared some minnows with me and both Bigcat and fishin4fun took the time to show me how their fish finders worked even though I had never met them before. I used to never ask questions of others out fishing and that was a big mistake on my part. Some people can be kind of short but all of the BFTers I've ever talked with have been nothing but helpful. I've always shared if I could and most people will if they know you need the help.
I drove over to the marina about noon before I came home to see if any brave souls were out there. Not a single soul and I didn't see any old holes or trackes either. The wind had been blowing snow though so take it for what it's worth as I didn't get out of my car and check.
[signature]
Posts: 417
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2005
Reputation:
0
[left]Thanks, I appreciate all of the info. I am hoping it will be helpful. I looked for minnows at Cabelas today, they didn't have any. I will check Sportsman's before going next time. Cutting the minnows up into chunks does make sense. Again thank you for all of the response. [/left]
[signature]
Posts: 682
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2003
Reputation:
0
Everyone else pretty much hit it on the head. I do pretty good with my red/white maribou jig all winter. I chase tone down the size over time. I will "double up" and put a glow in the dark ice fly above it as mentioned, but always have the maribou in the bottom. They seem to like it. I vary from 3/8 to 1/8. Still, sometimes a booger/whatta cricket or just small glow in the dark jig head with chunk of bait. Nothing fancy and barely wiggle it.
[signature]
Posts: 2,841
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
0
Sportsman has them as I picked up some of my own tonight while out shopping with the family. Hope to brave the crowds and take my boy up Saturday. Forgot to ask my question I was going to ask Tuesday on the lake Playas44. How thick was the ice where you were fishing? May need to venture farther out to find a place but don't want to take any chances with my boy.
[signature]
Posts: 682
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2003
Reputation:
0
My father in law ran out to check the depth at their holes. Said it looked a solid 4+, but he didn't measure it. We were curious the same thing.
[signature]
|
