02-05-2006, 12:05 PM
[cool][#0000ff]No doubt about it. There are a lot of things different about ice fishing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]ZONKER: The reference to "morning bite" is a current thing. All of the other successful anglers on Jordanelle have been reporting that the best bite has been early in the morning. That can vary from lake to lake, species to species and even day to day. Lots of factors involved. Also a good excuse when you don't get many later in the day.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There is no doubt about it. The deeper the snow on top of the ice, and the thickness of the ice itself, contribute to lower light levels. However, there is still twilight visibility down to some pretty deep water. Many ice anglers carry AquaView cameras and send them down to locate fish and watch their actions and reactions to the lures. The water is also clearer in winter, with no wave action and lower plankton and algae levels.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]SONAR THROUGH THE ICE?: Many sonar systems will "shoot" through ice. However, you need to have the transducer either positioned in a puddle on the ice or inside a water-filled bag or bucket. You can't just carry it around, waving it over the ice like a metal detector. Also, the readings are not as good. You can get accurate depth readings but the sensitivity to show fish is reduced.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]FINDING FISH: Locating fish beneath the ice is not much different than in open water. You do better if you know the contour of the lake bottom, and depths...along with the habits of the species you are targeting. It helps to have recent reports of what depths the fish are holding and the best areas. Then, using your powers of clairvoyance, you predict where the fish will be and drill a hole. If you see fish on your sonar, you drop your bait and/or lure to the proper depth and begin fishing. If not, and if you are too pooped to drill any more holes, you fish anyway, hoping the fish will come to you.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]SPOOKING FISH UNDER THE ICE: Some species are a lot more sensitive than others. Some fish actually seem to be attracted by the commotion of drilling holes. Trout can be either on any given day. Sometimes they begin smacking the jigs on the first "drop". Other times you have to wait for them to return to the area. It has been my experience that the less noise you make, the better the fishing is likely to be. I have had hot action ruined by other anglers that crowded in, used a power drill to punch a lot of holes and then did a lot of walking around and making noise. The fish signals on my sonar just disappear and do not return. That's when I try to find a new spot and hope the "social group" does not follow if I start catching more fish.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]DOES SONAR SPOOK FISH? Sonar works by sending electronic pulses toward the bottom and then measuring the distance on the return. It records not only the depth, but any "obstructions" (fish) the beam hits on the way down and back. Fish are sensitive to noise and vibrations. There is no doubt they hear or feel the pulses of the sonar. I also believe that some fish are more likely to be affected by it. However, sonar has helped me locate and catch a lot of fish, and I have taken a lot of them by vertical presentations, right under the sonar beam. So, I guess it does not drive them all away.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]ZONKER: The reference to "morning bite" is a current thing. All of the other successful anglers on Jordanelle have been reporting that the best bite has been early in the morning. That can vary from lake to lake, species to species and even day to day. Lots of factors involved. Also a good excuse when you don't get many later in the day.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There is no doubt about it. The deeper the snow on top of the ice, and the thickness of the ice itself, contribute to lower light levels. However, there is still twilight visibility down to some pretty deep water. Many ice anglers carry AquaView cameras and send them down to locate fish and watch their actions and reactions to the lures. The water is also clearer in winter, with no wave action and lower plankton and algae levels.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]SONAR THROUGH THE ICE?: Many sonar systems will "shoot" through ice. However, you need to have the transducer either positioned in a puddle on the ice or inside a water-filled bag or bucket. You can't just carry it around, waving it over the ice like a metal detector. Also, the readings are not as good. You can get accurate depth readings but the sensitivity to show fish is reduced.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]FINDING FISH: Locating fish beneath the ice is not much different than in open water. You do better if you know the contour of the lake bottom, and depths...along with the habits of the species you are targeting. It helps to have recent reports of what depths the fish are holding and the best areas. Then, using your powers of clairvoyance, you predict where the fish will be and drill a hole. If you see fish on your sonar, you drop your bait and/or lure to the proper depth and begin fishing. If not, and if you are too pooped to drill any more holes, you fish anyway, hoping the fish will come to you.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]SPOOKING FISH UNDER THE ICE: Some species are a lot more sensitive than others. Some fish actually seem to be attracted by the commotion of drilling holes. Trout can be either on any given day. Sometimes they begin smacking the jigs on the first "drop". Other times you have to wait for them to return to the area. It has been my experience that the less noise you make, the better the fishing is likely to be. I have had hot action ruined by other anglers that crowded in, used a power drill to punch a lot of holes and then did a lot of walking around and making noise. The fish signals on my sonar just disappear and do not return. That's when I try to find a new spot and hope the "social group" does not follow if I start catching more fish.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]DOES SONAR SPOOK FISH? Sonar works by sending electronic pulses toward the bottom and then measuring the distance on the return. It records not only the depth, but any "obstructions" (fish) the beam hits on the way down and back. Fish are sensitive to noise and vibrations. There is no doubt they hear or feel the pulses of the sonar. I also believe that some fish are more likely to be affected by it. However, sonar has helped me locate and catch a lot of fish, and I have taken a lot of them by vertical presentations, right under the sonar beam. So, I guess it does not drive them all away.[/#0000ff]
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