By Rodney Oathout
As I am writing this, it is nearly 50 degrees outside so it’s a little depressing to already have the itch to be walking on ice. On a good year, we would be drilling holes within two weeks of this month’s issue being released. Lets hope for some cold weather!
First ice could be my favorite time of the ice fishing season, and arguably the best fishing as well. I usually pack a lot lighter, leaving the shanty and gas auger at home, especially since we are only on a couple inches of ice. I particularly like to target trout and big northerns this time of the season, usually fishing pretty shallow and close to shore. I typically do very well for both species in shallow water during “early ice”; not to mention I am not too keen on venturing out to deeper water when I am on no more than two inches of ice. Remember, just because you’re on two inches of ice, doesn’t mean you’ll have that much ice with your next step, so always be cautious.
When targeting the trout, I use small to medium sized minnows below tip-ups hooked with a small treble hook, size 12 or 14, with a longer than normal light leader, usually four to eight pound test. When targeting northerns, I use larger shiners and suckers with a larger treble hook, size six, and heavier line- 12 pound with a 30 pound fluorocarbon leader. Those are just my personal tactics, everyone has there own opinions and methods of what works best for them.
I think the fishing is so good during this time because there hasn’t been a lot of fishing pressure yet, and the lakes haven’t been taken over by screaming snowmobiles.
Hopefully, by the time I’m writing my next article, I’ll be writing it from my shanty. I’m sure you all can’t wait to be out there chasing flags either! ‘Til next time, FLAG!!!