Strawberry on Saturday

[Hunt4BigBucks]

Hey BFT'ers I am thinking about hitting the berry on Saturday, how thick is the ice, can I drill through it with a hand auger? Also where should I go, I have only been able to get up there once this winter and I got skunked. I am willing to walk a while if I have to. Thanks for any info.[cool]
[signature]

[PBR]

[font "Viner Hand ITC"][black][size 3]SKUNKED AT STRAWBERRY???[/size][/black][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3]is that posible??.... hmmm .... I guess if guy didn't drill a hole...[/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3]the ice is in great condition[/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3]hand auger? yup use sharp blades.[/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][#ff0000][size 3]tip: 1 the descent.[/size][/#ff0000][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3] when you are dropping down [#ff0000]stop[/#ff0000] your jig dead and count too 5 [#ff0000]set the hook[/#ff0000] with a quick jerk....do this every 5 ' nothing......... continue down to the bottom, till your line is slack [#ff0000]tip#2...bounce the bottom[/#ff0000] hard afew times then reel up 6 " and set the rod down.[/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][#ff4040][size 3]tip:3[/size][/#ff4040][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3][#ff0000]Dead stick[/#ff0000] any jig (glow works great for me)6" from the bottom in 30' of water.[/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3]try a [#ff0000]tip#4bite sensor[/#ff0000] to hook the shy ones.[/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3]tip with mealy... and you should have great success.[/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3]If you miss the hookset, no problem, just drop it right back and they will slam it again, and again.[/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3]have had success in almost every place I've tried. with at least 20' feet o water[/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3]the bite slows Waaayyy down around 10:00 so get your time in early....even in the dark is good!![/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3]if the bite kills, imediately switch bait to a different flavor, especialy half a crawler.[/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3]have your tape measure out and ready, cuz when you get into them it's gonna be fast and furiou[/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][size 3]and most importantly [#ff0000]tip#5[/#ff0000][/size][/font]
[font "Viner Hand ITC"][#ff0000][size 3]don't forget to drill a hole in the ice first!![/size][/#ff0000][/font]
[signature]

[Hunt4BigBucks]

Hey PBR that last trip was the first time I have ver been skunked at Strawberry, we didn't even get there until dark so maybe that had something to do with it? Thanks for the info, I just hope I will be able to make it up there[unimpressed]
[signature]

[Kent]

Trevor, MGB and I will also be fishing Strawberry on Saturday. We will have a power auger, and no guarantees, but both of us have had some success up there this year. You are welcome to tag along if you would like. If you are interested send me a PM and I will give you the particulars.
[signature]

[Bigcat]

H4BB-
On tuesday the ice conditions were perfect and easy walking and the fishing was good. It was about 30 inches thick with solid ice and hard packed frozen snow. I use a hand auger with sharp blades and its not a problem. We usually use the hand auger with 2 people facing each other and both working the auger and it is a breeze to get through the 30 inches.

They probably got several inches of snow last night and if they got more than about 6 inches it could have weighed the ice down and created a slush layer but I hope not.

PBR gave some good advice about technique but we haven't been catching very many suspended fish. All of them have been on the bottom. The suggestion about bouncing the jig on the bottom a few times and then dead sticking it about 6'' up is a winner.

If it was me I would hook up with kentofnsl and MGB on saturday since they offered. Those two guys know what they are doing when it comes to Strawberry.

Good luck!
[signature]

[Hunt4BigBucks]

Thanks for the invite kentofnsl, but I had t owork today, hope you guys catch some fish![]I wish I could have gone[]
[signature]