TJ, I think you and I are on the very same page. There is a substantial difference between ice fishing for BG, vs. cold water fishing for BG. The ice itself is not a hindrance we have to deal with in order to catch Bluegills, it is the foundation of the methodology.
But while this year is the exception, there are many winters where my area never sees safe ice. This means that either I join the ranks of those who spend their time marking days off on the calendar, waiting for spring, or I try and come up with something else.
For the past several winters I have been working towards refining a system of gear and techniques to try and help me catch cold water, open water, Bluegills. And while I'm a long way from figuring it all out, I believe I have learned a thing or two and usually manage to catch fish all winter long, ice or no ice.
This is the approach that I wonder about, regarding catching CNBG in the winter.
