Early ice over a clear northern Illinois lake is almost like looking through a window into the fishes world. A few more inches of thickness and these images will slowly fade to a muted grey. But for now, they offer an almost fish tank perspective into our quarries underwater world. Marked very few today but every one that did come up off bottom ultimately hit. All the ice we found today was in the 1.5 to 2.5 inch range. I'm gonna give it another cold night or two before I try again. Ice isn't being produced at any great rate but at least I got that initial trip in and a few slime-backs on the board.
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| the fish fighting under the ice |
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| a nice largemouth through the ice |
Everyone respect the ice and travel with soft feet. Good luck on the hardwater. Maybe if I get a bit froggy I'll try and punch a hole or two early one morning but my next trip most likely will be an afternoon evening crappie bite.
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| a wonderful mixed bag |
Great work out there on the ice amd llove that bass through the glass shot. Well done.
ReplyDeletethanks CC, glad to hear from you again. ill drop your a line over on your page
DeleteNice to see some good fish coming out. That ice looks thin man. I don't think I could walk it. lol
ReplyDeletefew scary moments for sure. thanks for the comment. is streamer365 your site?
DeleteLove It
:) Scary, I bet. At least you don't have to auger to much.
DeleteThanks Blake, it is my site.
awesome, i had just found your site a couple months back an have spent some time looking at some of the serious flies you showcase there.
Deleteim adding your site to my blog roll links so i can get the rss feed and keep up with your new posts
streamers are my favorite types of flies to throw, hands down the most aggressive bites
I am jealous, even if you guys are walking out there on a hard frost. Great shots of the fish.
ReplyDeletedont worry savage, you'll get your chance soon enough
DeleteLove the glass bass shot. Nice mixed bag of species...that would be a banner day for me.
ReplyDeleteAs for the ice itself - I'm far too cautious to go out when it looks like that!
it was slow fishing and really did have to work (or wait) for our bites, but i still consider it a banner day as well. these fish were something special when you can look back on them on the computer.
Deleteas for the ice we learned it was completely safe unless we were standing next to each other
Looks dangerous, yet rewarding.
ReplyDeleteSome how I don't think ill say you over to the dark side.
DeleteKeep up the good fishing and reporting.
ReplyDeleteSame to you navyfisher
DeleteBlake
ReplyDeleteAbsolute amazing you get those fish to take anything in sub-zero waters, of course fish are fish and not human, so that explains the hits. What were you using for a lure and how cold was the air temp? Thanks for sharing a great trip
We haven't been above freezing for awhile but just by a couple degrees. Bass came on large roaches and waxies for the panfish.
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