NE Ohio Ice fishing
Jan 30, 2022 10:48:02 #
I was finally able to get out on the ice again. It had been about 14 years since I had ice fished but the Jones has been to much this winter so I had to get out there and feel that “tug”!
Myself and two other buddies headed out to a local inland lake Friday after work. I’d tell you the name but my buddy who took us there would not be ok with that. He’s a real secretive guy with his spots. There was only one other shantey on the whole lake!
We loaded up our gear onto a couple of sleds and headed up the hill to the lake. It was about 300 yards up a hill to get to the water and then about 1/4 mile across the lake to get to our spot. 9 inches of really good ice so no fear of falling through. The pull in was hard work and I started to remember you earn your fish when ice fishing!
We set up my buddies 8 man shantey, the heaters, drilled our holes and started fishing about 3:30. Using glo tungsten jig heads #6 tipped with live minnows, tail hooked. Freshly charged jig heads definitely out produced the non charged. My friend gave the other two of us a lesson on reading his Vexlar Sounder We caught a couple gills about 4:15. At about 5:15 the dinner bell went off and sounder filled with fish, the crappie arrived. From 5:15-8:15 we caught 26 keeper crappie and a yellow perch. Released a bunch that where less that 8”. The bite was still on but I knew it would be a treck getting out of there and home. (My kids have basketball and cheerleading on Saturday mornings.)
We packed up and headed out. I knew the end of the walk would be down hill and looked forward to that but the 1/4 mile across the lake was brutal!!!! We had gotten a couple inches of fresh snow on top of the 6” already on the lake. I think we had to stop 8 times to take a break. I was really worried the guy my age was going to have a heart attack!!
We made it. Best workout I’ve gotten in years. Does make me envious of those who can just snowmobile out to there spot. Ice fishing would be down right easy and comfortable that way! Was 65 in the shantey and could have bee 80 if we turned the heaters up. The freezing is only in the way in and the way out RJS.😉
Myself and two other buddies headed out to a local inland lake Friday after work. I’d tell you the name but my buddy who took us there would not be ok with that. He’s a real secretive guy with his spots. There was only one other shantey on the whole lake!
We loaded up our gear onto a couple of sleds and headed up the hill to the lake. It was about 300 yards up a hill to get to the water and then about 1/4 mile across the lake to get to our spot. 9 inches of really good ice so no fear of falling through. The pull in was hard work and I started to remember you earn your fish when ice fishing!
We set up my buddies 8 man shantey, the heaters, drilled our holes and started fishing about 3:30. Using glo tungsten jig heads #6 tipped with live minnows, tail hooked. Freshly charged jig heads definitely out produced the non charged. My friend gave the other two of us a lesson on reading his Vexlar Sounder We caught a couple gills about 4:15. At about 5:15 the dinner bell went off and sounder filled with fish, the crappie arrived. From 5:15-8:15 we caught 26 keeper crappie and a yellow perch. Released a bunch that where less that 8”. The bite was still on but I knew it would be a treck getting out of there and home. (My kids have basketball and cheerleading on Saturday mornings.)
We packed up and headed out. I knew the end of the walk would be down hill and looked forward to that but the 1/4 mile across the lake was brutal!!!! We had gotten a couple inches of fresh snow on top of the 6” already on the lake. I think we had to stop 8 times to take a break. I was really worried the guy my age was going to have a heart attack!!
We made it. Best workout I’ve gotten in years. Does make me envious of those who can just snowmobile out to there spot. Ice fishing would be down right easy and comfortable that way! Was 65 in the shantey and could have bee 80 if we turned the heaters up. The freezing is only in the way in and the way out RJS.😉
Our set up inside. Only needed the big heater. Was to hot with both.
Vezlar Sounder. Old school but affective if you know how to use.
You can barely see the only other shantey on the lake off in the distance.
Us cleaning up to leave. Sleds we pulled are pictured. It’s actually a one man shantey. Would have used to explore if we didn’t get lucky in our first spot.
My share of the fish. Buddy only wanted crappie. Big one is 13”. Most between 8 & 9”. Filleted out it’s a solid 2 dinners for my family.
Jan 30, 2022 10:56:16 #
Quite an adventure J. And a nice bag of fish too…im not familiar with ice fishing , but is sounds like a lot if effort. I admire your dedication to the “ tug”…think ill wait til April 1st when i can slip my boat. 
Jan 30, 2022 11:03:29 #
Slimshady
Loc: Central Pennsylvania
Not pics J and it sounds like you had a good time. That’s really all that matters. The fish are a bonus. Thanks for sharing
Jan 30, 2022 11:17:25 #
Cool setup there Thank for the pictures and the fun of getting to fish 🎣🎣🎣🐠🐠🐟🐟🐋🐋🇺🇸🇺🇸🦅🦅
Jan 30, 2022 11:56:11 #
J in Cleveland wrote:
I was finally able to get out on the ice again. I... (show quote)
If you enjoyed it J, i am happy for you. Looks to dang cold even with that heater at 65*, get me a blanket.
Thanks for the share J some good pics there. Cold but good.
Jan 30, 2022 11:57:22 #
J in Cleveland wrote:
I was finally able to get out on the ice again. I... (show quote)
Nice Job J. Great setup and beautiful fish! Many up here use quads to pull their sleds. They climb rough terrain better than snowmobiles, but are slower once on the lake. Great story, and thanks for the pictures.
Jan 30, 2022 12:06:47 #
Fredfish wrote:
Nice Job J. Great setup and beautiful fish! Many up here use quads to pull their sleds. They climb rough terrain better than snowmobiles, but are slower once on the lake. Great story, and thanks for the pictures.
quads ?
Jan 30, 2022 12:13:44 #
Jan 30, 2022 12:15:27 #
Jan 30, 2022 12:15:49 #
Jan 30, 2022 12:25:47 #
Jan 30, 2022 12:26:57 #
Jan 30, 2022 12:32:21 #
Fredfish wrote:
Nice Job J. Great setup and beautiful fish! Many up here use quads to pull their sleds. They climb rough terrain better than snowmobiles, but are slower once on the lake. Great story, and thanks for the pictures.
We do the same when possible here. I have a “quad” but I am a Yankee😂🤣😂! But that lake it’s not allowed. In a public park surrounded by mansions.
Jan 30, 2022 15:00:42 #
Jan 31, 2022 07:26:31 #
Jer
Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸
J in Cleveland wrote:
I was finally able to get out on the ice again. I... (show quote)
Congratulations, J. Good story with good photos.
Thanks.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.