Ice Fishing Help !!!!!!!

Just got a hand auger and me and a buddy went out to try some pond fishing since the ice will probably be gone by the weekend here in Missouri. We fished two ponds that have plenty of crappie in them (at least they did in the fall). Neither pond is particularly big, maybe an acre, give or take. We went to the deepest part and started to drill holes. The first pond was 10 feet at the deepest point and the second pond was 15 feet. I have a vexilar and didn't mark any fish. We started punching holes elsewhere with the same results–marked nothing. We punched holes all over that pond. We finally stopped and started fishing the deep holes. No bites, nothing. We fished everywhere on that pond–nada. Fished two inches off the bottom and slowly moved it up incrementally over the whole column.

We were both using a blue/white tube jig tipped with a crappie nibble. Should we have used something different? Wax worms (there are none available where I'm at)?

Finally, on the second pond we each managed to pull in a small bass. It was very frustrating as I thought this would not be a difficult experience.

Obviously I have no clue as to what I'm doing, but would like to learn. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Some days are like that, sounds like your doing things right. When fishing ponds or small bodies I try and start in the deepest water and go from there. I use wax worms alot it seems to help when the fish are not on fire. Don't give up it's a great sport and a fun day with friends....good luck.

What time of day was it? Ice fishing is always very early late.

Lose the tube and just stick a spike or Gulp grub on the jig head. Around here, guys have been catching off structure.

Thanks for the responses. We fished in the late afternoon.

I don't think either pond had much structure, but would the fish still hang out near the structure even if it is in shallower water? The little reading I have done says that they'll leave the structure in the winter to go to the deeper water.

What surprised me most is that I didn't mark any fish on my fish finder. Is that common? I understand there are days they just don't bite, but I've still had days where I at least marked fish. Could it be possible that they somehow died out?

I'll have to see if I can get some grubs. We're supposed to have temps in the 50's this weekend so I'm guessing it's "bye-bye" ice fishing for this year.

I doubt that the fish died out, just last week I fish the city lake where I catch crappie and gills during the spring but that day I didn't mark a fish. When that happens I look for another area to fish. It happens, why I don't know It was the middle of the day so perhaps if I would of stayed late the bite might have picked up. It's crazy but still beats working.......:crazy:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wigglewart

I doubt that the fish died out, just last week I fish the city lake where I catch crappie and gills during the spring but that day I didn't mark a fish. When that happens I look for another area to fish. It happens, why I don't know It was the middle of the day so perhaps if I would of stayed late the bite might have picked up. It's crazy but still beats working.......:crazy:

---

When you say that you move to another area, does that mean to a different pond, or to a different area in that pond? We had holes drilled all over that goofy thing about 15 feet apart. We didn't drill holes where we knew the depth was only a couple of feet–could they have been there? How long do you usually fish a hole before you figure it's time to move–10 minutes, half-hour, longer?

P.M. sent

Co worker drilled 2 dozen holes on his pond a week or so back. No fish, not one. He knows they are in there, its his pond! Hand auger also. Not sure what he was fishing other than an ice jig- tear drop. Sometimes they just don't cooperate, for whatever reason.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ehall

Co worker drilled 2 dozen holes on his pond a week or so back. No fish, not one. He knows they are in there, its his pond! Hand auger also. Not sure what he was fishing other than an ice jig- tear drop. Sometimes they just don't cooperate, for whatever reason.

---

I guess in a bizarre sort of way it feels good that it happens to someone else besides me. I know there are days when the fish don't bite, but I don't want it to be because I'm not using the right technique. One would think when you're dropping stuff in an aquarium the fish would react. Tomorrow I'm going to try again and will report back the results good or bad.

Some days are like that. You didnt mention if these ponds are bowl shaped or if they have drops, weeds? Pay attention to points or cover on the drops. Sometimes they have their dorsal fin scraping the bottom of the ice, could be why you didnt see anything over the deeper water. On ponds they dont always leave the shallow water, there are always shallow fish.

Also some days they will bite so light they wont move a spring bobber. Get some rubber bobber stops and use 1 of them. Just place the rubber at the depth you want to fish. If they are biting super light the rubber will just barly quiver, almost like your eyes are playing tricks on you. You will think????did that just move??? If they are shallow you can also get back to the right depth quickly. Be glad for the short ice time. The longer the ice is on the more the fishing will slow. Best times are at day break and again just before sun set. Also no snow on the ice can make it more difficult to get bites.

Also if the ice is good ice,, no air bubbles. Just pour some water on the ice and the ducer will shoot thru, you dont have to drill. Saves a lot of time looking for them.
Just carry a gallon container with you.
If you dont have any vertical jigging baits, small minnows or bee moths would be the best to use.
Never go alone, if you go thru you cant get out by yourself. If something looks different in an area of the ice surface,, thats telling you something is wrong with it.

Wow, thanks for all the responses and tips. I went on Friday afternoon with the same tune different pond-caught one little bass. Tried deep, shallow, slow, fast, up, down, left, right, and managed to spend 4 hours making the claim that it was still better than working. Still scratching my head a bit, but we'll keep trying as opportunity presents itself.

I hit the ice on Friday. I drilled a hole on a steep break from shallow water with timber on the edge. I dropped a small jig and minnow down 30ft to the bottom and went to reel it up and it was heavy. I set the hook and continued to fight the fish to the top. the fish would feel light then heavy then light again. I thought for sure I had a big walleye on. I was yelling at my buddies and telling them the fish was almost to the hole. when I got the fish to the hole it turned out to be anchor rope with a ten pound anchor attached to the end. whats the odds!!!

Some lakes and ponds give up their secrets only after you put the hours in. We have a lake like that where I live. The locals who live on the lake know where to find them. The rest of us learn a bit more each time we come and leave. If you can't see the fish hanging on the bottom or suspended somewhere in between, stands to reason they might be right under the ice and therefore a bit skittish. I use a long pole (54") for ice-fishing so I'm not standing right over the hole. Good luck. We may have good ice all the way to May here in WI if things keep going the way they are.

Attachment 151327I have been having success in 4.5 to 6 foot and especially on the areas that drop off.. So no wax worms or super worms try the pet store! Pet Smart seldom runs out... Shiners been ok... the 1/32 red headed and white body jigs been hot.. I pond fish all over by mound city Missouri... Find the areas that drop off and fish shallower... Ive caught over 500 keepers last 3 weeks with the groups that I have gone out with.

pet stores are he best places to buy bait. it is cheaper then bait stores and they have a large selection of worms and bugs to choose from.