A New Seasons

As the temperature drops and the first snow flurries fall, puddles start to freeze overnight and my mind, like so many others across the ice belt is focused on ice fishing. Specifically, for bluegill. Easy to catch and found in practically every lake, the bluegill is one of the most sought after fish by ice anglers all over the country. Typically biting well all year and being pound for pound (ounce for ounce) one of the best fighting fish found in both salt and fresh water alike. Landing a large one, a true one pounder is every anglers dream. The most productive areas normally are the shallows and cover (weeds, brush, or sunken logs). These spots tend to increase productivity. I will generally start in ten to twenty feet of water over a weed bed. I'll drill a few holes and drop my camera down to see if there's fish in the area. When I find them, I'll drop a size 12 or 14 tungsten jig tipped with maggots or wax worms. When the fish are really active, I'll switch to plastics. I start with dark natural colors (usually start with black) in clear water and bright colors (usually a glow spot) in dirty or stained water, I'll make my adjustments from there. Having the lakes of the Irish Hills Michigan in my backyard, I have access to some of the best pan-fishing in the country. Which has allowed me to learn and adapt to constant changing conditions. During the middle winter months or on small lakes that receive a lot of fishing pressure you may want to go small, a size 16 will do in a pinch. Once you find where the fish are, experiment with size and color until you find what they want. Be sure to stay mobile. In my experience when you open a new hole, the most aggressive and usually the biggest fish are the first to bite and then the hole slows down or the size of the fish greatly decrease. Move around, the fish will hold in the same general area for a period of time, doing this you will find your bucket filling up and getting heavy by the end of the day. I wish everyone the best of luck this coming season and tight lines to all. Until next time friends….