Back on Silver's ice at 7:45. Light, freezing rain falling with a slight breeze from the north. About 7-8 folks already there, including a few I'd met and fished with on previous days. With Motor1's arrival we formed up as a group in 35-40' of water. Very slow at first. We were undeterred, confident that the bite would occur in the mid-morning, as it has for several days now.

However, the bite failed to take hold today at the same intensity. While we all caught fish, some very nice keeper perch at that, they seemed very tentative. Instead of the usual 45-60 minute period where we'd catch them enmasse, it was very sporadic. We received many bumps and taps, and were unable to jig these fish into action. In the past, a slight twitch of the rod would bring that fish right back. As we were leaving, we decided that smaller ice jigs and maggots might have been a better bet today, as the bite was light. We were not sure if it was the weather pattern of if the fish had already fed out. Many that we landed had throats stuffed with daphnia and blood worms.

Those that our group got were taken on Kastmasters and Swedish Pimples with perch eyes. Motor1 and I left with about 19 nice perch between us and released some smaller ones.

We did meet JayK (a WL.com regular) out there! We'd seen him out there before, but had no idea who he was. Nice meeting you, kind Sir!

steel_lee

1/21/2011 6:58:00 PM

Nothing like fishing to keep a man humble. You worked your plan and it did pay off, I am encouraged for tomorrow, go with what has worked, at Elokia.

Jay K

1/21/2011 8:56:00 PM

So that's what they were - bloodworms and daphnia; The fish were puking 'em up like crazy. They must have feasted well and weren't really that hungry for eyeballs. It's strange, but the kastmaster was only working for me on Eloika early in the season. Once I hit Silver, the perch I was fishing for wouldn't even give it a sniff. Caught the majority of my perch on a jigging rap; It hasn't been a good lure for me until today. The ice in deeper water held, but I'm not sure after the rain and warm weather today. Was only 3-3.5" in most places deep water (whoever was fishing that hole in 2" of ice, you are a crazy man...). I was gonna fish on the west side of you guys at first, but when the ice shifted under my feet at one of the larger cracks I tracked over to the east of ya'll. I managed to scratch up a baker's dozen and then took off around 2pm; Didn't want to wait for the sunset bite. Thanks for stopping by and saying hello; It WAS nice to finally meet ya'll.

Lundegard

1/22/2011 4:47:00 PM

I may be telling you guys something you already know...if so, my apologies. On my Aqua Vu, I've seen the daphnia and bloodworms "float" or "swim" up from the bottom. So tie a hook about 12" above your Pimple or Kastmaster, and put an eye on that. Drop your spoon to the bottom. Jill a little, making your spoon "bang" the bottom to create a "cloud" of sediment, then let the spoon lay on bottom, but hold the line tight. Then, let 16" of line out, so the upper hook falls slowly to the bottom. Then, slowly, slowly, raise the rod till the line goes tight again. Watch your line for taps. I believe this tends to resemble bait rising from and to the bottom. This works for me when the bite goes very light as you explain. Again.....sorry if I'm telling you something you've already tried.

Jay K

1/22/2011 6:33:00 PM

Lundegard- Thanks for the advice. That technique's actually pretty new to me - the part about letting the hook fall to bottom and raising tight again. I've heard of hitting bottom to stir up sediment, but again that hook drift/lift sounds like a good technique. You fishing the ice this season? Where ya been?

Lundegard

1/22/2011 8:52:00 PM

Any time there's ice, I'm on it when I can. Fish Lake, Patterson, sometimes Banks. Holds me over till I can get the boat out again!

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