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When conditions are right
dpmule
Member Posts: 6,738 ✭✭✭✭
We can have a “live well” for Mack’s on the ice. That way we can cull the small ones as the day progresses.
My Bullriding Grandson caught over 20 and I got 10 or 12, the grasshopper has learned well.
we ended up taking 11 “eaters” home from 20” to 16”, made a pile of fillets
Mule
Comments
It looks cold there.
I have never ice fished, I always wanted too but man it looks cold. Its about 72 and no humidity here in NC, just a beutiful day.
That looks like you guys had a blast. I spent quite a bit of time sitting on an overturned 5 gal bucket dropping my line through a hole in the ice. Now if I were to go, I would want the heated shanty and easy chair to sit in. Instead of thinking I am becoming a wimp, I prefer to think I am getting wiser.😁 Bob
I have spent many entire nights in a nice heated ice shanty sipping cold beers and catching all sorts of fish varieties. Smelt are a favorite of mine caught 2 at a time on a speed reel. Spearing Northern Pike is fun as well. Never speared Muskie but my older brother has 2 hanging on his wall that were record sized speared on Lake Skegemog.
I have also fished out in the cold without shelter and still enjoyed it. Dressed in layers with warm thick socks is the only way to go!
Sam06,
it was near 0 when we departed the trailhead @ 06:00 and rode the snowmobiles the 26 miles into this lake. During the day I am guessing the temperature warmed to low 20’s as the holes would skim over after a bit.
It was a beautiful day, light wind, light cloud cover and just enough sun midday to need sunglasses.
We fished until dark and then rode out, unfortunately we never got into any of the better fish this time that weigh between 10 and 25 lbs, but we are headed back in as soon as the barometer starts dropping considerably.
And just to note, we only keep Mack’s up to 10# to eat, they grow so slowly, we release all the big ones unless gills get damaged during the fight. The ones from 3# to 10# are fantastic eating, after that because of their fish diet and the fat they accumulate they start to taste fishy.
Mule
Today would have been a good day to go fishing here its about 78 and I bet the crappie are biting today.
What is a Mack? We have Mackerel here but its an ocean fish that is the only Mack I know of.
"Mack" is short for Mackinaw aka Lake Trout, Sam.
Looks like a good time, Mr. Mule!
Was going to ask what a mack is. Down here, we have local names for several fish, Cypress Trout (bowfin), Limb Bream (kinda obvious), T1rd Rustler (yellow cat), Saddle Blanket (big crappie), are a few.
NeoBlackdog is 100% correct and he should be hitting Flathead lake to take advantage of the generous limits, l know I would like to.
I will get some photos off the hard drive and post.
Here’s Riley boy a few years ago with a 43# from down on Flaming Gorge. He just had to beat the 38# I caught earlier that day.
Mule
That thing's a PIG, Dave!
The boat's in the shop right now getting an upholstery facelift. As soon as it's out I foresee a trip to the Flathead to see about hookin' into the maks.
Nice job guys!
Heck yes, way to go.
I was in Minnesota many years ago and got invited to go ice fishing.Fishing is one of my favorite things to do,but being from the south I could not make myself go out on a frozen lake.It must be genetic.I know it's probably safe and I see you drove your F-250 out there,but I aint going.
As long as you hear the ice cracking, and the 3' end on your jiffy power auger doesn't reach water, you're good to go!
@buddyb
Here’s a couple from a few years ago, same lake in mid late April .
I built this custom flighted auger extension specifically for this lake.
picture #1 there is still 6-8” of ice yet to drill.
Sam06 it got to 84 in my chunk of NC. Going to be only 60 for Friday.
Mule, why do you live sideways? 😉
Some parts of the country we frequent is steep 🤠
Admit it, you were just keeping your bait fresh.