Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Ice Fishing 2011 - 2012

We got some snow Saturday, then temps began to plummet. Was below freezing Sunday through today, last night down to 3. So I thought I'd be stupid enough to give it a shot, although I was doubtful we'd have enough.

Drilled a few test holes, just under 3", shuffled a few more feet. listened intently for crakcing, and drilled. This time a little more, closer to 3", shuffle, listen and drill again. Never did exceed 3, but it was hard first ice, so I tied myself off to the dock and ventured out, solo - again, because I'm stupid like that.

Have had a pretty dense planktonic algae bloom for the last several weeks, so visibility was only around 30" and the AquaVu hole had to be pretty close to the fishing hole to be of any use. Last year I had over 8' visibility this time of year...the zooplankton today was so thick I could see them crawl all over the camera lens and swim by in clouds. I suppose they are feasting on the plentiful algae and the cycle will soon crash and visibility will improve? At any rate, very cool to witness this beneath the ice.

Once the gear bomb was set up and my stupid proved stronger than my fear of thin ice I managed to focus long enough to jig up a wee BG. I was able to target on the Vexi, jig it up a foot - he followed, then just barely could make it out hitting on the camera. The plankton and zooplankton is so thick it makes low light viewing pretty fuzzy. Still, it's a cool process using all the toys together when it results in a fish.

Tonight is more single digit temps and I'm hopeful it will add a half inch or more and I'll fish much harder tomorrow afternoon and can afford to be less stupid. Hope to find some YP or HBC. Certainly must improve my single punk BG effort from today.

Is anyone else on the ice yet?


- Stupid