Got over to Mantua this morning with my boy and a bud of his. Just a few folks got there before we arrived ~8:30. Parked along the south dike, walked out to good solid ice, with a few inches of “mostly” frozen snow/slush. Few places you’d break through for a quick pucker. But most of the old snow/slush trails had solidified to hard crunchy surface.
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We headed out past most of the folks, and found some open space. Lots of folks out, but lots of room to roam too. Loads of blips on the finder and the fish came, and went. We plopped in 15.5 ft, and drilled our starter holes. I camped out while the kids climbed in the tent, then moved, and moved - I didn’t move all day, but had consistent blips and bites. Loads of dink perch around 3 inches. But nabbed one pushing over 8", and a few other nice ones. Also found some bluegill love, and inevitably - got pestered by trout too.
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It was cold cold in the early morn, but warmed up quite nicely, and the kids were toasty in the tent, never did fire up the buddy heater. Were gonna leave around noon, but managed to drag out a couple more hours of fin-chasing, and everyone got a chance to catch at least one!
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Chatted with a few folks on the ways in and out, and seemed like everyone was getting some action. Not the most stellar day, but some fun tugs, and pretty consistent bites (if you’re willing to wait for the fish to come through). Loads of whiffed hooksets, but no charge, so . . . swing away!
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Good day on the ice, and nice way to end the year.
Plus - the boy had enough fun, he wants to hit some ice in the morning. Hyrum is a likely target.
Happy New Year ya’ll! Be safe