Starting off 2012 right: Strawberry slot busters

Not too often you get a chance to drive to Renegade in January. So not letting an opportunity pass us by, Kent and I decided to head to Strawberry. We were definitely not the only ones excited about fishing Renegade this time of year as it turned into tent city a little later in the morning. We got to Renegade a little before 7am and were greeted with relatively warmer temps than normal for this time of year. I believe Kent and I both got fish on our first drops of the day but it was slow picking for a while for Kent, but I had relatively steady action for most of the morning.

N.E.T.O (Randy) and his cousin Arron showed up a little later in the morning and fished with us the entire day.
As the day went on the weather warmed to above freezing, there was no wind the entire day, and the fish were biting all day long. Not much else you can ask for out of the Berry. The days total was around 85 for the four of us, around 90% were cutts, and there were probably four or five slot busters, the largest of which went 26 inches.

[inline “26 incher.jpg”]

hell ya buddy looks like you hammered em! me and utcatman are headed there tomorrow for a 12 hr ice trip.. Any inside info would be great pm me if you get this before tom morn!

Nice job

Yep, Kory schooled us today. He caught 39 and I struggled to land 24. I got a rough start, by forgetting about gravity and sleds. Started down the hill and my sled slid into my heels and I tripped and somehow I guess I got run over by the sled, because all I know is that fishing rods were everywhere and my sled rod holder was destroyed.[frown]

Couldn’t ask for better weather. Started out at 3 degrees and finished at 47. Sure didn’t feel like January ice fishing at Strawberry. The bite was pretty steady all day, just slower (at least for me) than it was last Wednesday.

nice catching guys !

We fished the marina area yesterday and did OK, but not as good as you.

Can’t beat the conditions and weather for this time of year.

how deep of water were u guys in if you dont mind me asking?

I fished Renegade today as well. Arrived around 8:15 (temp was up to 7 by then). I walked way over to the east. Fishing was not quite as good for me. Four Cutts and one Bow with quite a few bites mixed in. Beautiful day to be on the ice.

I hope you guys saved a few for me. I’ll get to go again tomorrow.

It varied between 15 feet and maybe 30, I didn’t use a finder so I am not sure what the exact depth was for the deeper spots, Kent probably knows as he was looking at his flasher all day long.

Arron and I talked about how awesome the day was all the way home ! Was nice fishing with you and Kent! Doesn’t get much better than it was today !

You edited your post so you must have found the photo [:p]

Lol!..stupid smartphone! I didn’t see the picture till after I replied asking you to post the picture! That was a BIG fish! I just about crapped my pants when I found out you let it go!

nice to see you letting the big one go i try to let them go also but my kids like keeping them

Fished in 23’ of water. Had to move around a little before it picked up.

. . . he was looking at his flasher all day long.

Oh wait a minute - I get what you’re saying… slap me.

Nice fish, great report. That is a hunky beast! Must have the hot hand landing those pigs through the ice! Well done!

Nice, Ktrout! Congrats! I don’t think I’ve ever busted the slot at the Berry, or my daughter either. [:p]

Not sure if you meant for us or MGB to reply to your question on water depth. We fished in water from 15’ to 30’ deep. Most of my time was spent in the deeper water. I caught them on the bottom and between 10 and 12’ down.

sounds like a awesome day at the berry.. Nice fish..

Looks like a great day. I’m going to go stay at my Dad’s cabin this weekend on the Solider Creek side.

Nice Cutt! How thick is the ice now?

It was between 6 and 8 inches.