I have to believe good friends Jim and Mike C were happy to leave work early and head for the hard water. Looking at the weather from out of a window was too much for us to bear, it was time to shut things down and get outside around 2pm. After the last couple trips for pan fish I keep saying it doesn’t get any better than this but somehow it keeps getting better. The crappies were on an absolute tear hitting with authority, it was like they haven’t ate in months. The MarCum would show 2 lines coming together once we had things figured out, the jig as it fell and hungry crappies charging to the bait, when the 2 lines met it was fish on
Mike C
Things did change some from the last trip. The crappies moved just a tad shallower and they were along a drop in 16-18fow with the strike zone being at 10 feet. I started with plastic which worked well for me Sunday. All it did this night was produce 7-7.5 inch gills, not what we were after. Mike C was getting action on a dead stick with a minnow once we found were the fish had moved to. A change from plastic to my next favorite, mini mert and minnow head was made but not producing anything of size. Things were starting to look a little iffy at this point until the magic bait was found.
Crappie falls prey to forage minnow
The first drop after snapping on a forage minnow with a minnow head put slack in the line as a crappie raced up to the offering. The hook was set and the bend in the rod with some drag going out was the sure tale of a good fish. As the days get warmer and the ice gets softer the crappies keep getting bigger The average fish slamming tonight was 11 inches. There were a number of 12 inchers caught and some pigs over the 14 inch mark. I’ll say it again, “it doesn’t get any better than this”
Average Crappie caught
I had a blast playing catch and release while watching Mike C and Jim put one heck of a fish fry (if not two ) together for themselves. I’m sure if anyone was around and could hear us we sounded like some school boys having a good time playing with fire crackers The weather was awesome with temps in the 40’s and an overcast sky. The company was even better with jokes being made every time someone tried to pull a slab out of the hole being to lazy to bend over making the jig fly free from a paper mouth It’s heck getting old, hey Jim and Mike Come on weekend, I hope to have more pictures to post here
Good luck fishing people
Bret
Location
:
Wisconsin
Water Body
:
Mississippi River
Species
:
panfish
Technique
:
ice fishing
-------------------- Bret Clark - IDO Ice Pro Staff "Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway."
Yes it is Buddy Bret - but we're doing it gracefully.
These past couple of weeks have been awesome. Every time out it just gets better and with good friends and a or two "it don't get no better than that". I've never had any fish mounted so the largest crappie (which is the largest I've ever caught) is going on the wall in my rec room. Enjoy the late ice fishing - it's awesome. There's still about 20" of ice but that will change with the precicted temps so be careful.
The area is a back water bay and deep with some wood around the shorelines. The wood is holding gills but the crappies are still off to the edge of the drops.
-------------------- Bret Clark - IDO Ice Pro Staff "Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway."
Does anyone know where I can buy a GPS tracking device? I also need to know what type of vehicle Bret drives. Great fish guys! Those are some dandy slabs!!!
The last few reports might have been fish away from community holes but, the community holes will be producing fish now also
Look for deep holes and make sure to take your plastics, some jigging spoons and minnows. Pay attention to your electronics and don’t be afraid to move around even if only 20 yards or so and you will find fish. The ice out bite is always hot but keep in mind, it is necessary to keep an eye on your surroundings and ice conditions. Things can change in a hurry.
-------------------- Bret Clark - IDO Ice Pro Staff "Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway."
Today 3/15/08 proved to be another fun late ice bite. Set up close to the same area as the original report produced a few nice crappies and some good sized gills
Good friends JP Mason with son Sean, Paul with his son Steve and, Blue Fleck Joined me later in the noon. The fish were still in the same depths and 10 feet below the ice held the majority of fish.
It was cool to see the boys on a good gill bite. The first 2 pictures are Sean then Steve holding a couple bull gills they iced I have to believe them 2 young men had themselves some fun.
The next 2 pictures are Blue Fleck with a couple good crappies. The majority of fish biting were short but we did manage some 11 -11.5 inch specks.
The next picture is something I always have to deal with when Blue shows up. After releasing this fish I did my best to get my hands clean but that green just wouldn’t come off
I found the slender spoon to be doing a good job today, my favorite crappie color is pictured here.
Fun was had by all, it was a lot a hoot watching the boys…..JP Mason too I believe there were more pictures taken that will show up here!
-------------------- Bret Clark - IDO Ice Pro Staff "Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway."
Well there isn't much more to say than "Thanks Mr. Clark". Yesterday afternoon was picture perfect. Paul and I wanted to get out one last time on the hard water and wanted to take the boyes along.
We hit the ice just before 1:00 PM. As soon as Bret knew we were on the ice, you could see him and the Strike Master hard at work. By the time we got to him, he had hole punched all over the place the the four of us.
It didn't take long before the boyes were all settled in with their dad's electronics. Now I remember why I have a flasher.
Below are some of the pictures taken. The first picture is of Paul and his son Steve. The next two are of my boy Sean with a couple of his. Here are a couple more of Steve, then one of the boyes, sitting around caughting fish. The last is part of the fish fry we were able to pull together.
This was a perfect day with GREAT friends. Thanks again Bret for the time on the ice this year. As always, I learn a little something everytime I get out with you. As you can see, Paul and I try to pass this information on to our kids.
Blue, it was nice to get out with you again.
JP Mason
-------------------- "Fishing Stories told here. Protective foot wear may be required"
It was cool to see the boys on a good gill bite. The first 2 pictures are Sean then Steve holding a couple bull gills they iced I have to believe them 2 young men had themselves some fun.
Way to go Sean and Steve, showing those old guys up. Way to "git r done" boys.
Crappies Pool 8 March 12, 08
) together for themselves. I’m sure if anyone was around and could hear us we sounded like some school boys having a good time playing with fire crackers 
Re: Crappies Pool 8 March 12, 08
Yes it is Buddy Bret - but we're doing it gracefully. 
, not much ice time left. 
Re: Crappies Pool 8 March 12, 08
I have to believe them 2 young men had themselves some fun.
