The Afternoon Bite at Rockport- A Report

[tackletangler]

My 4 year old son and I arrived at the lake
a little after 3 pm (Feb. 5th). Finding parking
was a breeze. Parked on west side of lake, at a pull out just barely north of 3 mile cove (with newly installed outhouse). Walked out about 100 yards in a NE direction. Found the perch at first try at 34 ft. Ice is about 7 inches thick and solid hard but slick. The perch fishing was fast and furious. First fish was caught on a meal worm then the rest were all caught on a perch eye-ball. That one eyeball went a long way, caught all my fish and a suspended rainbow on it. I was using a pink chartruse ratfinkee. Caught 7 perch & 1 trout. My four year old out fished me,his 5 perch to my 2 plus one rainbow. A small breeze came up, my son got cold and we called it a day at 4:15 (next time were packing extra layers,tent and a propane heater)
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[Out4Trout]

[cool]Glad you and the kid could get out and have some good male bonding time. Sounds like you had fun. If you get there at 7 next time, you'll catch a lot more than that and be home before noon. Good luck on your next trip out!
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[tackletangler]

Your right. The morning bite by far is better. I was hoping
to introduce my son to ice fishing without dealing with the
morning temps. I guess I underestimated the cold factor when I packed. Oh well, I'll be more prepared next time! I think
when we got there it was only 40 degrees,but to him he probably thought he was one of the "frozen chosen". It didn't help much that he got his gloves wet when he was playing with the fish on the ice. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY
TIPS/SUGGESTIONS IN TAKING YOUNG CHILDREN OUT ON THE ICE?
(perhaps this could be a good discussion)
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[ocean]

Dont know if there is a remedy for kids! My son put his snow boot down the hole and his gloves at the berry last time i was there and he got cold! I pikemans advice and put a bread bag in his boots and it kept him warm and dry . I dont know about hands maybe some palstic gloves ! I am going to try that next time i take him with me.
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[DKSRenegade]

I take several pair of the stretchy gloves and a pair of mittens that can go over the gloves. I also take the chemical hand warmers and I have a propane heater just in case. I will also take the small ones back to the truck for a quick warm up as needed. This has worked so far.
And don't forget the hot chocolate!
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[tackletangler]

I appreciate the tips. Sometimes its the little things
we know and do that make all the difference in having a small child enjoy a day on the ice. This summer I plan on
building a icefishing tent using my XL Jet Sled and some
pvp pipe and poly tarp. I think this will be a big help
in my kids' enjoyment on the ice. Even my wife has expressed
interest in wanting to go coldfooting.
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