Scouting for the 2013 /14 season.

Not sure what kind of curve ball the ice gods will throw at us this winter so we have been scouting out some new areas so we have it covered. If the southern ponds don't freeze hard , we will have some back water river coves to drill. The quality is there, and so are the numbers. Hope we can get right on top of um when the water gets stiff!! Got a lot of new gear that hasn't come out cause of the last few mild winters and hope to share more pics and some gear advise.

http://i565.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps2902f20d.jpg

http://i565.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps15cb7dda.jpg

Great idea and great fish, Paul. I've been doing the same thing. I've taken my new Elite 5 ice machine out on the boat with me the last couple trips and marking spots i can walk to on the ice this coming season. Our lake is a flood control lake and most years it's unsafe to venture out to the channel where the deeper brushpiles are. They'll drop the lake at least five foot so my shallowest spots are only a foot or two deep. I marked spots that will be from 10 to 15 ft deep with or near brushpiles, hopeing these places will still hold the panfish. These spots are producing some very nice catches right now. Hope they continue to produce when they drop the lake and ice forms.
Attachment 142551
Attachment 142552

Where ever ya find um just before it ices up is usually where you can still find um under the ice. The bigger fish we are after seem to go on very selective feeding binges that only last and hour or 2 with the changing light. We have been targeting saltwater fish like Tog for the freezer and White Perch for the past month , but will switch back to Crappie very soon . The water is is hovering between 45 and 50 now. Our trip destination and specie is determined by the wind velocity and direction, comfort trumps the bite as the grey hair fill in my scalp.

Paul your making me feel bad. I have lost my big fish spots due to low water. But a couple more weeks and I will be back on them.