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Is there anyone else that thinks Strawberry Ice off is overrated? Each year I get all excited that I am going to hit Strawberry right at the right time for Ice off. But it never happens. It's like waiting for that toy you saw on TV when you were a kid and when you finally get it; nope, it's not even that fun. Maybe my expectations are too high. Each year that I go up and try to hit Ice off I will catch fish, but not fish after fish after fish like my mind thinks it will. Or even that huge fish. I've caught some big ones out of there over the years, but they for sure aren't landed during Ice off time. In fact, I would say that I have done better during Ice on vs. Ice off.
On top of that I've had a couple of times where one small spot has 10 people fishing there. So is it just me or do others think that Ice off isn't really what it is cracked up to be?
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[quote TubeFisherman]Is there anyone else that thinks Strawberry Ice off is overrated?[/quote]
Boy, I am one who thinks it is over rated. I no longer target that hallowed event.
Now, having said that, there ARE folks who really have a hay day on the Strawberry ice off. But I sure ain't one.
So for me, yea, way "over rated".
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Yes and no for general ice off at any lake. I've had stellar days at ice off and I've had lousy days too. I believe it's no different than any other time of year really. If you hit it when the conditions are just right, like on an overcast warm front, catching can be crazy. But if you hit it on a cold front or too much sun or to little wind or... the fish turn off or aren't where you wish they were. I think the windows of opportunity are smaller at ice off and it gets better and more consistent several weeks later.
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[quote TubeFisherman]Maybe my expectations are too high. [/quote]
sounds like it.
I think "ice off" is more of an event for anglers than it is for the fish. We build it up. We look forward to it. We anticipate it. It's a right of passage. It's that chick breaking out of it's shell. It's the green springing forth from the branch. It's the signal that it's time, once again, to start anew.
The fish? I don't think they care one way or another.
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I hear a lot about it but never actually seen it for myself. I like going right after all the hype ends and no one is there. That's when the fishing is good. When the cutts are spawning. And you wont see me at renegade with every single person in utah this year. Im staying well away from that junk show
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Haha. You're probably right, I went for the first time last year and drove all over the lake and couldn't even find a decent spot to get in. It was too crowded. That was a joke, so I didn't go back.
I am going to try one more time this Friday and I'll report on here how it goes.
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The berry is overated , period.
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I hit ice off every year. Some years are better than others. Last year and I'm sure this year will be tough because the ice goes too fast.
I think the ice will go too quick again.
Personally I love it, but I put in a lot of time while it's good and put up with some nasty conditions most springs. I mainly throw jerk baits and jigs. I'm a fly fisherman, but in the wind and cold I prefer to throw the spinning and baitcasters-bass gear basically.
I throw heavy line and pull the hooks off of a lot of jerk baits in the sage brush.
I also fish until dark or later. Most guys leave just when it's getting good.
Best time of the year to have a chance at multiple big fish IMO.
That being said the cutts generally fight like crap, and I often find myself wishing I was in warmer weather fishing for bass.
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[quote doggonefishin] ...the unskilled struggle, just as they do the rest of the year. [/quote]
Haven't made it for ice off yet, but pretty sure this will be my situation![blush]
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Last year I hit Soldier Creek at the right time. Only about 50 feet of shoreline open and I caught about 15 fish in 3 hours. Nothing to brag about but good constant action. I caught a couple of big rainbows. I thought it was better from shore than it would be later in the year. I think there is a very small window of time during ice off and many factors determine if you will catch fish even if they are there.
This wind should destroy most of the ice if not already.
Oh well. Kick boat here we come. [fishin]
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My experience has been very good (not great) when the ice is first pulling back; it seems to me that the fishing on the edges can be pretty fast on flies (streamers/buggers/leeches). Generally, if I show up and the ice is ALL gone, then it isn't any good. my 2 cents.
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The fish are a little sluggish and don't hit very hard. I am excited to go, but I like june when they hit hard and fight hard.
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Sure it is. Just like the deer hunt. People go because it's tradition, just got a new pole for Christmas, because it's an annual event. And just like deer hunting, most don't really count on getting one, let alone a big one. I still try to hit it right, year after year with limited success and love it. It's fun to try the new flies you dream up during the winter.
humpy
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I've hit it just right the last couple years and had a really good time! I'm headed up this afternoon, I'll let you know how it goes! This time I'm trying something out that I have been waiting all year for...I'm bringing up the welded aluminum mod v duck boat to attempt trolling the edges! going to try and break up some ice and see how that goes.
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d upon me that day. I remember they were hitting so hard it would almost yank the pole out if you weren't paying attention. It is the top of my favorites list. I have not made it for "ice off" since.
