Pond Boss
Posted By: MNFISH2 Northern Pics - 01/09/17 05:19 PM
Thought you guys in the south would enjoy seeing how some of us MN boys enjoy our ponds in the winter.

Spearing BCP, BG, YP and LMB with a Hawaiian sling. 34" of water depth and 10" of ice.

Note: This is a registered fish pond so any kind of harvest is legal. This is NOT legal on public waters in MN!!!





Posted By: teehjaeh57 Re: Northern Pics - 01/09/17 05:33 PM
Too cool! Is the beer just chilling or does it have some other function?
Posted By: wbuffetjr Re: Northern Pics - 01/09/17 07:47 PM
Very cool! I guess you cut that out with a chainsaw??
Posted By: Dave Davidson1 Re: Northern Pics - 01/10/17 12:47 AM
Pretty neat. But ENJOY?
Posted By: MNFISH2 Re: Northern Pics - 01/10/17 01:21 AM
The beer was in the photo for effect. A lot of times we augur an "extra" hole(s) for the beer. Not to keep it cold but to keep it from freezing. At -10F doesn't take long for a beer popsicle crazy

Ice saw like this is what we use. Good workout
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saVVYdsvR2U
Posted By: MNFISH2 Re: Northern Pics - 01/10/17 01:28 AM
"Enjoy" the fact that we are in this miserable cold while you bask in the heat. grin
Posted By: Bill D. Re: Northern Pics - 01/10/17 01:29 AM
Originally Posted By: MNFISH2
The beer was in the photo for effect. A lot of times we augur an "extra" hole(s) for the beer. Not to keep it cold but to keep it from freezing. At -10F doesn't take long for a beer popsicle crazy


Another new project for you man! Inventing a beer warmer! Probably a limited market though. Doubt you would sell many to those Southern guys!
Posted By: Dave Davidson1 Re: Northern Pics - 01/10/17 03:24 AM
Neat saw.

We weren't doing a lot of basking a couple of days ago. It hit 7.3 degrees at my place. At noon, I drove 70 miles to find out what the situation was. My entire water system was total ice. My pump was the main thing. I had drained everything in the well house and blown the lines if the house. However, the valve leaked a little and the pump was frozen solid. I'll be back in a couple of days to check it out.

You know that windshield washer anti freeze that is supposed to protect down to zero degrees? I put some in the toilet tank and bowl to keep it from expanding and breaking. That's after I get most of the water out. That stuff, blue in color, was frozen to a really hard slush. What do you guys use for something like that?
Posted By: Bill D. Re: Northern Pics - 01/10/17 03:41 AM
Originally Posted By: Dave Davidson1
...
You know that windshield washer anti freeze that is supposed to protect down to zero degrees? I put some in the toilet tank and bowl to keep it from expanding and breaking. That's after I get most of the water out. That stuff, blue in color, was frozen to a really hard slush. What do you guys use for something like that?


Dave,

Lots of products on the market cheap. Here's a link to one.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tech-RV-Marine-Antifreeze/17179674
Posted By: MNFISH2 Re: Northern Pics - 01/10/17 04:23 AM
Originally Posted By: Dave Davidson1
Neat saw.

We weren't doing a lot of basking a couple of days ago. It hit 7.3 degrees at my place. At noon, I drove 70 miles to find out what the situation was. My entire water system was total ice. My pump was the main thing. I had drained everything in the well house and blown the lines if the house. However, the valve leaked a little and the pump was frozen solid. I'll be back in a couple of days to check it out.

You know that windshield washer anti freeze that is supposed to protect down to zero degrees? I put some in the toilet tank and bowl to keep it from expanding and breaking. That's after I get most of the water out. That stuff, blue in color, was frozen to a really hard slush. What do you guys use for something like that?


Sorry to read that Dave. I know we need to use proper language but GOSH DARN IT...that is reallllly cold. How often does those temps hit in your area? Bill D hit it...my choice is the RV pink
Posted By: Dave Davidson1 Re: Northern Pics - 01/10/17 11:07 AM
Thanks Bill; that's about what I pay for the other stuff.

7.3 and other temps in the single digits is pretty unusual, even rare. We generally have some temps in the mid teens every year. And, to me, even the teens are danged uncomfortable. It never lasts long. Right now, it is 65 outside. My ponds only had a small amount of thin ice because the water started out so warm. I have no idea how to drive on ice and have no desire or reason to learn.

Unlike you guys, we seldom get much snow. We get an annual ice storm which shuts down the D/FW metroplex. It generally comes with high winds. Lots of frozen overpasses in town and nobody has snow tires or chains. Our fireplace are mostly ornamental.
Posted By: wbuffetjr Re: Northern Pics - 01/10/17 01:08 PM
Originally Posted By: MNFISH2

Sorry to read that Dave. I know we need to use proper language but GOSH DARN IT...that is reallllly cold. How often does those temps hit in your area? Bill D hit it...my choice is the RV pink


Mnfish I use the "pink stuff" to winterize all the lines at our cabin. That stuff also gets slushy from what I have seen. Has yours done that?
Posted By: MNFISH2 Re: Northern Pics - 01/10/17 02:59 PM
I guess I never looked that close. I blow out my water lines and pour it into the stool. Never had a busted bowl.
Posted By: Dave Davidson1 Re: Northern Pics - 01/10/17 05:23 PM
Nor have I. But I did get a busted tank.
Posted By: Sunil Re: Northern Pics - 01/11/17 02:30 AM
Were you successful in spearing anything??

I heard there's going to be "Naked & Afraid - Minnesota in January"

While there really are a naked man and woman, it looks like there are two women.
Posted By: MNFISH2 Re: Northern Pics - 01/11/17 03:05 AM
We are trying to capture the spearing on film. This is proving to be very challenging. Long answer to your question. Nothing this day.

Naked and frozen will be the new title of that show.

Honey...It's shrinkage from the cold....really
Posted By: RC51 Re: Northern Pics - 01/11/17 01:19 PM
Is 34 inches deep enough? I was under the impression in colder water fish go deeper? You may never see anything in that spot if that's the case?

RC
Posted By: wbuffetjr Re: Northern Pics - 01/11/17 01:45 PM
Have you ever heard of the Wim Hof method? The guy swims under ice and hiked Everest in a pair of shorts! So, if the spearing doesn't work out, you could jump in that hole and still end up with a good video!
Posted By: MNFISH2 Re: Northern Pics - 01/12/17 05:24 PM
Originally Posted By: RC51
Is 34 inches deep enough? I was under the impression in colder water fish go deeper? You may never see anything in that spot if that's the case?

RC


IME here in MN, the fish spend A LOT of time in the "shallows" (less than 2'). Winter and summer. This clip isn't that great but shows some fish cruising the spear hole (left side of vid)

https://youtu.be/_6u8PdMaLiA
Posted By: MNFISH2 Re: Northern Pics - 01/12/17 05:26 PM
We made a spoof video just like your talking! The video is on our facebook page I can PM you the name of our page if you like.
Posted By: wbuffetjr Re: Northern Pics - 01/12/17 09:21 PM
Originally Posted By: MNFISH2
We made a spoof video just like your talking! The video is on our facebook page I can PM you the name of our page if you like.


yeah man would love to see it!
Posted By: wbuffetjr Re: Northern Pics - 01/12/17 09:23 PM
Originally Posted By: MNFISH2
Originally Posted By: RC51
Is 34 inches deep enough? I was under the impression in colder water fish go deeper? You may never see anything in that spot if that's the case?

RC


IME here in MN, the fish spend A LOT of time in the "shallows" (less than 2'). Winter and summer. This clip isn't that great but shows some fish cruising the spear hole (left side of vid)

https://youtu.be/_6u8PdMaLiA


This is very interesting! Makes me think maybe I should have put my diffusers more towards the shore.....
Posted By: DonoBBD Re: Northern Pics - 01/12/17 10:51 PM
Yes the best splake I have ever caught has been in less than 3 feet of water.

I do find it best to cut the hole. Chum the hole and cover with pine bows then snow and come back in a day. The pine will keep the hole from freezing over and walk to the hole don't drive right up with the sled. Drop the line in a keep it bouncing off the bottom. Work like a charm.

Cheers Don.
Posted By: MNFISH2 Re: Northern Pics - 01/12/17 11:41 PM
Great tip! I've never fished Splake but that technique may work wonders on LMB in the ponds.

Shallow water fishing is as much hunting/trapping as it is fishing, IMHO. I love the challenge and have watched most of my biggest fish take the bait, pond or lake fishing.
Posted By: MNFISH2 Re: Northern Pics - 01/21/17 05:08 AM
We got it done last night! Our first black crappie, under the ice, with a Hawaiian sling. 4.5' deep. Working on the lighting to lay down a little film. What a blast!!

Posted By: Sunil Re: Northern Pics - 01/21/17 03:14 PM
Head shot!!!
Posted By: Bill Cody Re: Northern Pics - 01/21/17 04:05 PM
Can you cut corners with the ice saw or do the corners have to be made with an auger? Best place to buy an ice saw?
Posted By: MNFISH2 Re: Northern Pics - 01/21/17 06:46 PM
Corners need to be made from an auger or chisel. Not sure the best place to buy an ice saw.
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