I arrived at BIP Outdoors at 6:30 AM this morning to buy some lively shiners and jigs. This was my first time in BIP Outdoors. I was impressed with the live well system and the ice fishing tackle. With no time to waste, I was drilling holes by 7:00 AM. The ice was 12 inches thick with 6 inches of slush. The air temperature was 62 degrees. And the fog was thick. I have never ice fished under these conditions.
Using my Jiffy Pro4 auger, I drilled a set holes in a straight line from near the shoreline towards the center of the lake. I drilled a second set of holes parallel to these holes a short sprint away. This proven pattern allows me to fish the entire water column and cover a wide area.
I rigged my Jacks Traps tip-ups with shiners and set them up on the first set of holes. My first fish was a black crappie. My second fish was a yellow perch. And then swam in the pickerel! My first pickerel weighed 1 lb 9 oz. My second pickerel weighed 2 lb 2 oz. And my third pickerel weighed 2 lbs and 7 oz. This fish was so powerful, it move the entire tip-up!
After each pickerel, I quickly replaced my 10 lb fluorocarbon rigs by slipping the Tactical Anglers power clip off and on the swivel secured to the tip-up line via Palomar knot. Tying knots on the water is slow. Tying knots when your hands are cold and the wind is blowing is even slower! Time is fish!! Re-rig via swivel and clip!!!
With my tip-ups in my peripheral view, I jigged the second set of holes from shallow to deep and back again. My first fish on the Eurotackle tungsten ice jig was a ferocious yellow perch. This presentation hooked several more perch and sun fish.
This was my first time on this lake. This was my first time ice fishing under these conditions. I exploited a pattern from my fishing journal and caught fish. Fishing patterns will help you hook fish! But, good gear and technique will help you land fish!! Go fish!! 😉
