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Hey all--
I'm new to ice fishing this season, meaning I've never done it. I have ice rods, 4lb mono and fluro, tackle for ice fishing, a bucket, a nice coat, and a 6" hand auger.
I'd love to find panfish, but frankly I just don't want to go home skunked.
As things cool down, especially shortly after Christmas, anyone have recommendations on where to go, what to do, and how to make sure I don't go hom empty-handed?
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If you can hit it right after safe ice level (4") I like Mantua in the South East bay. Use wax worms on your tiny jigs. I like Shrimpo or Ratso's in pink and pretty small size. I didn't see spring bobbers on your list, so you may want one of them so you can see the lite bites. If we hit the same day I would be glad to try and show you what I do, but note the disclaimer I have been known to taste of skunk. Keep watching the thermometer. Later J
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As soon as Pineview ices over, you can catch a limit of 7-9" crappie. The perch do not seem as plentiful as they were last year. This fall it was tough to get through the crappie to get on the bottom for the perch. Fish in 25-40 ft. of water with perch meat on a small jig head.
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Whenever we get some safe ice feel free to PM me and we can meet up somewhere for a little ice fishing. My wife doesn't like me heading out alone.
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Will do. I'm hoping to hit AF harbor very soon after it gets ice.
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This wasn't mentioned, but a good sonar should be added to your list of items. A sonar, often times, makes the difference between getting skunked and not skunked. Being able to find the fish and see what they are doing is important to success. Good luck and happy fishing!
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I had to call in sick so I could go to Lake Powell!
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If you are not catching any fish drill more holes and go find them. Scofield should treat you nicely for a 1st outing.
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I'm up in Cache Valley so if your up this way I'd be more than happy to meet up with and ice fish. I like to hit all of the northern Utah lakes. But my advice would be: dont be afraid to switch presentations. Jigs of different sizes and colors, ice fishing spoons work very well too. As has been mentioned moving is important too! Especially early in the season while the ice is easy to drill with a hand auger. So take advantage of that. Good luck.
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If you want to catch Perch and even sometimes Crappie, you need to have your jig on the very bottom of the reservoir. Perch will hug the bottom and often won't even show up on a fish finder.
Many people think that they are close enough to the bottom but are actually 3' to 5' above the bottom.
To see how close you are to the bottom do this test.
In your home, hold your ice rod in your hand and open the bail. Let the jig drop to the floor.
Now close the bail and look at how far your jig comes up with every turn of the handle on your reel.
Many reels will take up about 2' to 3' of line for each turn of the handle.
If you drop your jig to the bottom of a reservoir and then turn the handle of your reel 2 to 3 cranks up, you may find your jig as high as 6' to 8' off the bottom.
A Perch will not rise up that high to take your offering.
To be sure that you are fishing on the bottom, have a loose drag and hand pull out line until the jig hits the bottom and the line starts to coil. Now you know that you are on the bottom.
You will only want to turn the handle of your reel about 1/2 turn now to get 1' to 1 1/2' off the bottom. This is the ZONE for Perch.
This one tip will increase your catch more than any other tip that I could offer.
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Awesome tips all! Thank you, and I will probably be taking some of you up on your offers to hit the hard deck once we get ice, especially around Utah County. It sounds like an awesome idea to go with someone who knows what they're doing for my first time.
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