Back at Hog today. Nearly a dozen guys out enjoying the ice. I had yesterday's hot holes kicked out and a line in the water at 9:00. Didn't even need to use my auger. At exactly 10:00 I was loading my gear into my truck, to include a limit of 5 fat winter rainbows! They ranged in size from 12" to 14.5", not real big but VERY fat, healthy and full of fight. As I loaded, two guys were making a beeline across the ice to my holes, and had lines in the water before I drove off....that was a hilarious thing to watch!!!

I hit the first two fish in 6' of water, just above the weeds, in the first 10 minutes. At about this time another guy headed off with a limit. Then things went dead for a full half hour. Having seen this before, I set my depth at only 3'. I could look down into the hole and see my jig. Bam, bam, bam, bam....four strikes in less than 10 minutes with three fish on the ice to finish up! They had suspended and I just needed to find them.

I'm outta here in March, enroute to thicker ice in Alaska, so here's the ticket. Keep it light, keep it small, keep it moving and keep it out of the weeds. All of today's fish, including one I lost at the hole, took a small chartreuse teardrop jig tipped with a single Pautzke's salmon egg. My bait expenditure today? Exactly six salmon eggs. One of my jigging rods is equipped with a spring style strike indicator...I know if they even breath on it. The other is equipped with a small foam quick-release indicator that I normally use for fly fishing with chironomids. It pulls down easily and, upon hook set, releases to slide down the line where it doesn't interfere with the rod while playing and putting that fish on ice. Both rods have 4 lb. test.

My favorite technique on Hog is to cut three holes in a line, about 10-12 paces apart, or in a triangle formation. With the water only 6' deep, it's easy to "lift and shift" every minute or so. If I had to quantify it, I'd say that 75% of my takes come immediately after dropping in. If nothing takes after a few jigs, I'll move to the next. This works very well for me, and the fish evidently like the extra movement.

Sorry so long. I don't consider myself an expert but I cut my teeth in northern Pennsylvania, where ice can exceed 36" and ice fishing is hugely popular. Out here I often see guys struggling, see them leaving fishless, and see gobs of weeds on the ice where folks are fishing too deep. Keep in mind these are slow, cold, winter fish, living in 35-36 degree water. Once again, think SMALL and LIGHT. The fish will love you for it!

Good luck and stay safe out there!

The Jigmiester

1/5/2011 8:49:00 PM

Raffen guy. I love reading your posts! The Inspiration is telling and those are some awesome tips for novice anglers and experts alike. After reading your Silver lake post, I can relate to coming back down to earth> I once nearly won a Snake River Bass Masters classic with my brother on Lake Lowell Idaho. After splitting 3 K in prize money, I was brimming with confidence and it kinda went to my head. But Later,after a fruitless day fishing Banks lake for bass, a six year old girl plopped a red and white bobber and crappie jig right next to my boat and Landed a 5 + pound largemouth on a snoopy rod! Each of us has thier day, and I just wanted to thank you for sharing sir. Jiggy

MarkFromSea

1/5/2011 8:54:00 PM

Awesome report!

Jay K

1/5/2011 9:00:00 PM

Great report; Don't mind the length at all - prefer it. Thanks for the tips on fishing for trout through the ice - that's something I've not done before. I find it interesting you find 'em in such shallow water; I understand the like to cruise under the ice looking for food, but thought they'd still like to hug bottom for warmer water. You moving permanently to Alaska?

bionic_one

1/5/2011 10:40:00 PM

We're going to need you to go ahead and get a camera. Thanks :-)

raffensg64

1/6/2011 6:48:00 AM

Jay K, what you're doing for perch will work for trout. I do prefer perch over trout, when I can find em big enough to bucket!. @Bionic One, I think I'll tote my camera out today. The ice is more camera friendly than my pontoon boat! I had some close calls, nearly losing my camera, when taking pics of my boys wearing out some Medical Lake monsters this past Spring! Haven't take it since.

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