Ok I have been as patient as i can but… COME ON ICE !!! 
I have been hitting all the sporting good stores / web site buying all the gear i can.. New Vexilar FL-8 Genz pack,
new rods & reels,new boots and around $100.00 on baits and Im sure I’m not done spending yet.. Just dont tell the wife..
.. oh almost forgot the big one.. 2007 Toyota Tundra.. I got stuck to many dame times last yr in my car.. NOT THIS YR !!
so when was your first ice trip last yr?? I think I hit causey around christmas last year.. im sure the higher lake ice up sooner.. So i say agian " COME ON ICE "
I was fishing at the Gorge on New Year’s day around Mustang Rigdge. One day before I was around Lost Dog.
I think the first to freeze is Huntington we had a pretty good winter last year but this year seems warmer Im guessing and being optimistic not until around turkey day …
some of the uintah lakes will freeze sooner but huntington right around the second weekend of november but its alot warmer this year
The first real fishable lake is Huntington and in the last ten years it can be fished on turkey day…
But to play it safe watch for the Mystic Minnows for the updates again this year…
We got on the hard deck last year the day before turkey day. It was atTrial Lake, I don’t think thats doing to happen this year with all the recent rain.[frown]
We hit the Berry on the 26th of December and there was about 2 1/2 inches of ice in the bay and the main lake was still open. Caught over 100 fish less than 100 feet from shore. Amazing! The next weekend we had to walk accross the bay to get into them.
Can’t Wait! [sly]
We had four wheelers on mud creek the 30th of december and was walking on it two weeks prior you can always call the lodge and they will tell you if there is ice they are usually alittle scepticle but they will tell you
OK - I know I am going to get “flamed” for this so please do it in PM. I am wondering why people are excited for the ice - what does the ice offer that the soft water doesn’t? Also it seems like ice fishing really limits the methods and equipment for fishing…kinda like vertical jigging with a short rod/spin reel all day…I know…I know…I am honestly trying to learn and interested as to the draw of the hard deck as if I seek first to understand I will learn much more - so this is sincerely a post to better understand the draw of the ice. I do want to learn as I am definitely a soft water guy but will consider the ice…
I guess every one has there reason for wanting to hit the ice but for me is being able to access areas of the lake I normally wouldn’t be able too. No Boat just a pontoon so being able to get to just walk to one of my favorite spots is enough for me to want the lakes to freeze over.
Also its fun just B.S.ing with people on the ice. Almost like a block party.
The draw of the ice is difficult to define. I think we had a whole post on this last year.
For me there are several draws. The first is that I seem to catch more fish and bigger fish while ice fishing. Second, you can access areas that are impossible to access without a boat. Third, there is nothing like vertical jigging from a solid non-moving surface - it makes the presentation so much easier. Fourth, ice fishing equipment is awesome with the sonar, power auger and tents. Fifth, there is a special feeling of being on a frozen lake in below-freezing conditions and having the lake to yourself, when that happens. Sixth, the BFT ice fishing tournament is SWEET! Seventh, the hook-set when ice fishing is so much fun, and trying to get a big fish through an ice hole is a fun challenge. Eighth, there are few things more beautiful that being on a frozen lake on a nice day. Ninth, did I mention that I catch bigger fish. And tenth, you get to meet fellow BFTers.
My advice, get out at try it as often as you can this winter and you will soon find yourself asking your wife for ice fishing gear and praying with the rest of us for cold weather.[;)]
For me there are several draws. The first is that I seem to catch more fish and bigger fish while ice fishing. Second, you can access areas that are impossible to access without a boat. Third, there is nothing like vertical jigging from a solid non-moving surface - it makes the presentation so much easier. Fourth, ice fishing equipment is awesome with the sonar, power auger and tents. Fifth, there is a special feeling of being on a frozen lake in below-freezing conditions and having the lake to yourself, when that happens. Sixth, the BFT ice fishing tournament is SWEET! Seventh, the hook-set when ice fishing is so much fun, and trying to get a big fish through an ice hole is a fun challenge. Eighth, there are few things more beautiful that being on a frozen lake on a nice day. Ninth, did I mention that I catch bigger fish. And tenth, you get to meet fellow BFTers.
This sums it all up right here. Couldn’t have said it better than this. Oh and I catch bigger fish too [sly]
lol only 100 bucks? i just did my before ice-fishing shoping.. got it done with only 850.00 bucks.. new ice armor snow sute, a Quickfish 3 ice hut,(on sale at sportsmens for 182.00) new blades for the auger, the rest in tube jig’s line and other things needed. lol
i’m just about set.. all i need now is the ice.. oh and to re-deck my snowmobill trailer and get it ready! but i got time to do that yet.. [sly]
here is one for ya.. take a 36" micro lite pole put 2 or 4 lbs line on it and catch a 3 to 5 lbs fish on it! that is what ice fishing is all about.. it’s a chalange to get to and fish areas.. and there is that rush ya get standing on 2 inch’s of ice and ya hear it crack right under ya! [crazy]..
Like other members have said it “kinda like a block party”. Also I enjoy it because when my kids get tired of catching fish they can run around outside the ice shack and play on the sleds while I continue to fish. The fish under the ice don’t seem to mind all the snowball fights and snow angels either. Oh ya and I have never been able to “grill up t-bone steaks on the soft water”
nice!!! very nice!!
I am pretty intense when I fish and if I’m not catchin’ I’m changin things up or movin along…thinking all I would do is drill holes and chase tipups all day LOL
When I am fishing I take it very much as a sport - fish and I are opposing teams…I find my “relaxation” in being so focused on the challenge that I forget about the stresses of work. I usually eat holding my sandwich in my mouth as a am reeling and take a bite as my lure is sinking at the beginning of a retrieve…
I do plan to hit the hard deck a couple times this winter but something about casting a shoreline hard that is full of weeds and laydowns where accuracy of casts are a must while the sun beats down on my sandaled feet, shorts, hat and t-shirt draws me much more than being bundeled up…but I do it for snowmobiling so I will try it for fishing…as I definitely like lite tackle and the fight.
What’s the draw you ask? In a word - PERCH!
No big fish fight; no finesse to catching them; no holes to small to ice them. But they are at the very top of my fish fit to eat list. And I can find them through the ice where I can’t in warmer weather. Slimmers are put back immediately regardless of size.
DIDO to all that !!!
Maybe Hookjaw will take me to his secret spot on the berry..
I hear ya, bro. I am chomping at the bit! Another three weeks or so and Huntington will be good to go. Scofield will be good at the same time IF it gets cold enough. Otherwise a week or two later… I will be at Huntington on the Saturday after T-Day.