Sketchy ice and a pair of eyes for the pan!
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 2:16 pm
Hit the Quinte ice for the third time this season this morning. Two weeks ago today we were fishing on 4-5" of nice black ice. We fish a high current area and likely one, if not the worst spots on Quinte for consistent ice. Two weeks ago were not quite able to get to our "early ice secondary spot", and our "primary spot" was still open.
This morning we made it to the secondary spot, but were treading lightly on 2-3" of ice. It's been years since I have been on that thin of ice, but all safety precautions were in place and we have been fishing this area for 26 years, so we know where and where not to step.
I had a screen full of perch when all of a sudden my rod was almost ripped out of my hands. A nice 3 lber for the pan. An hour or so later, Same deal, but this one was 4-5lbs. Since these were the first two keepers from the hard stuff, I kept them both. The bigger one was borderline too big for my liking, but Wifey (and I) have been craving a feed, so I had to bring these home to keep her happy. I also caught 4 others in the 10-12" range that I'm hoping to meet up with again next season.
In the three trips I have been out, we have probably landed upwards of 30 walleyes in the 8-12" range. A sure sign for a great couple years ahead.
Stay safe out there folks, the up and down weather in the Quinte region has really put a damper on the ice production. There are plenty of safe areas, but also plenty of danger zones. That being said, it's been quite a few years since I have been on the ice at this spot before Christmas.
Hoping for one more trip tomorrow morning to finish off the 2016 fishing season and step right into the 2017 season on Monday morning, weather and ice permitting of course.
This morning we made it to the secondary spot, but were treading lightly on 2-3" of ice. It's been years since I have been on that thin of ice, but all safety precautions were in place and we have been fishing this area for 26 years, so we know where and where not to step.
I had a screen full of perch when all of a sudden my rod was almost ripped out of my hands. A nice 3 lber for the pan. An hour or so later, Same deal, but this one was 4-5lbs. Since these were the first two keepers from the hard stuff, I kept them both. The bigger one was borderline too big for my liking, but Wifey (and I) have been craving a feed, so I had to bring these home to keep her happy.
I also caught 4 others in the 10-12" range that I'm hoping to meet up with again next season. In the three trips I have been out, we have probably landed upwards of 30 walleyes in the 8-12" range. A sure sign for a great couple years ahead.
Stay safe out there folks, the up and down weather in the Quinte region has really put a damper on the ice production. There are plenty of safe areas, but also plenty of danger zones. That being said, it's been quite a few years since I have been on the ice at this spot before Christmas.
Hoping for one more trip tomorrow morning to finish off the 2016 fishing season and step right into the 2017 season on Monday morning, weather and ice permitting of course.
