Echo today 1-22

[perchinski]

Needed a change from Rockport, so headed to Echo.  Drilled in about 10:30, west of the ramp, over the 40' range.  Ice at 5+ inches (measured), with a 1" skiff of snow atop.  Got some nicer perch than RP (10+) but also some 4"ers, and not the #s of fish RP is putting out.  No big schools like RP, more like one here/one there.  Bigger fish burping up 2" minnows.  A couple of icers fishing off the dam, another 6 groups around the ramp area.  Kept a dozen fatties, then the bite seemed to quit around noon-30.  So I drove south and pulled off into that new state park, walking out to talk to a few groups fishing there.  Two guys killing it at 28'.  Said they didn't get bit until noon, but then they had to go to one rod.  And that was with 6# line (airplane cable to me) and no spring bobbers.  I think I can do some damage there tomorrow or Friday before the wkend snow.

[wiperhunter2]

Thanks for that report. If 6# line is too thick, what pound test do you use?

[Cowboypirate]

Chatted with a couple on Echo. Maybe the same ones as the report was very similar

[BearLakeFishGuy]

I use 2 or 4lb max for perching. I think Mark uses 3lb.

[perchinski]

Thanks for that report. If 6# line is too thick, what pound test do you use?

I use 2# and 3# line, but I'm pretty much fishing for perch or Mantua gills.

[Jig-fisher]

Needed a change from Rockport, so headed to Echo.  Drilled in about 10:30, west of the ramp, over the 40' range.  Ice at 5+ inches (measured), with a 1" skiff of snow atop.  Got some nicer perch than RP (10+) but also some 4"ers, and not the #s of fish RP is putting out.  No big schools like RP, more like one here/one there.  Bigger fish burping up 2" minnows.  A couple of icers fishing off the dam, another 6 groups around the ramp area.  Kept a dozen fatties, then the bite seemed to quit around noon-30.  So I drove south and pulled off into that new state park, walking out to talk to a few groups fishing there.  Two guys killing it at 28'.  Said they didn't get bit until noon, but then they had to go to one rod.  And that was with 6# line (airplane cable to me) and no spring bobbers.  I think I can do some damage there tomorrow or Friday before the wkend snow.

That second area is where I fished on Monday. Exactly the same depth, and it was non-stop perch for me all morning.

[obifishkenobi]

Thanks for that report. If 6# line is too thick, what pound test do you use?

I use 2# and 3# line, but I'm pretty much fishing for perch or Mantua gills.

I use 6# on all my ice fishing rods and have no issue catching fish.

[wiperhunter2]

Thanks for that report. If 6# line is too thick, what pound test do you use?

I use 2# and 3# line, but I'm pretty much fishing for perch or Mantua gills.

I use 6# on all my ice fishing rods and have no issue catching fish.

  That's what I use as well and have never had any problems with fish biting because of the heavier line, could be ii water that is shallow, 10 ft or so it might have an impact but in deeper water I doubt it makes much difference, imo.

[BearLakeFishGuy]

I need to clarify about the 2# and 4# line. I use braid for my main line. In fact its 8lb Nanofil but that isn't made any longer, so now I use other braid and only use mono on the last 3-4' of mono to tie on my jig/lure/tear drop.