Conference wahoo::fishing

 I use the same technigue for lake trout here in NH. and its 
very productive. Jigging off the bottom has been very productive 
for me also. In fact, my records indicate that over the past 
3 years I have caught about 45% of my lakers by jigging 
alone. The bottom technique is something like this. You put 
on perhaps a 2 1/2" to 3" swedish pimple (the size depends 
on the baitfish your trying to imitate), let line out until it 
hits the bottom. Now take up enough line so that the jig just 
is hitting the bottom when your jigging pole is in the down 
position of the jigging stoke. When you lift during the 
jigging stoke you should be raising you jig off the bottom the 
exact distance of the travel of your stoke (usually about 
1 to 2 feet). Do this for about ten minutes and if nothing hits,
move to another hole. Come back to your first hole awhile later 
and try again. I remember that during one day last year I caught 
three lakers and a perch from one particular hole over the course 
of that day. 

 As far as augers go, I'd say that I purchased my hand 
auger, 7", a couple of years ago and next to having a power 
auger, its the best way to go. I had a scallop or dish type 
auger before I bought the new screw type and was unhappy 
with its performance. The screw type work much better..., for me 
anyway! If you decide to purchase a screw type auger I'd 
recommend that you buy the type that have removable cutting
edges. This advantage helps in resharpening or repair. 
 My feeling about power augers are mixed. I believe their 
worth it if you plan on drilling alot of holes every time 
out and are willing to spend the big bucks. But on the other 
hand, they are fairly heavy and a burden if you have to walk 
long distances to your fishing areas. 

 I have a question for my fellow ice fishing people. Has 
anyone tried these polar, folding type tip ups. I'm not sure 
of the brand name but they are made out of chromed steel 
and plastic/fiberglass type materials and are not suppose to 
freeze up during windy, extremely cold temperatures. Are 
they worth the price ($14 to $16) or should I stick with my 
traditional wooden tip ups?

Thanks in advance!

-BD-

I have been ice fishing in a N.Y. Watershed lake that has Lake, Brown, and
Rainbow Trout, Bass, Perch, Pickerel.  There are many "Herring" (alewife)
on the lake.  The lake is Bowl shaped with weeds all around the shore line
and run till about 15 feet.  The lake has very few true points (structure).

When i have gone ice fishing I went with a group of friends and we must have
had at least 15-20 tip ups all over the lake.  Mostly we caught bass, pickerel,
and perch.  We would basically use shiners off the bottom in the weeds.  We
tried jigging for the trout in deep water (lake has depth of > 100 ft.)

Can anyone out there explain how he would ice fish this lake for trout.

	- Is the bottom the key
	- Temperature (most of the time the temp is 30 - 40 degrees down to 
	  bottom)

I sure would appreciate any help

- Bob -

Steve, I gave up chiseling some time ago in favor of the ix inch MORA ice

auger..this little hand driven unit will cut thru the toughest ice in a jiffy.

I have had occasion to go one on one with a power auger and in less than a foot

or so of ice its about as fast altho a bit more work. If you decide on a hand

auger settle for nothing less than a MORA (is that a plug??). Also DONT

even think of one of either the "Spoon" type auger or anything with a 

"crank" handle....the spoons get dull fast (I mean one trip fast) and are

about impossible to sharpen well, the crank handles are a pain in the ass and

more tiring than the one I like, which is.....the six inch MORA hand drill,

with the Auger type blades and the T handle. The Blades stay sharp (cut yer

foot off if your not carefull) and the T handle lets you get leverage to sut

(cut) if your blade gets a little dull. The blades are removable and can be

sharpened (Only to my satifaction) by US Line company in Mass. (Address on reque
st) I keep a spare set of blades handy when out in case one drills into the odd

stump just below the ice (Hard on blades) or when fishing shallow water

one drills thru the ice and into the bottom (Send em to US Line).

Of course for the idle rich there are power augers but I hate the noise,

and think the fish do too.......hope it helps...goodluck...Ed

The base note describes a rig used for shiners/multiple holes.  I'll be
ice fishing for the first time this winter and like to do my fishing
"hands on".  What equipment do I use with a jig?  Surely not my rod & reel!

In the interest of minimal investment, I want to rent an auger.  Are they
readily available at local rental centers?

Steve

hi to all you other hardy chippers (or drillers) out there. Its almost that 
time.

I'll throw in my two cents about equipment.

Line - I am not sure of the right name. I've been told its called squid or
squib line. It much easier to work with than that thick green stuff that
freezes real easy.


Also when spooling up your tip up, thread a button on your line before your
leader or snap swivel. That way after you sound your hole, you can move the
button to spool and not have to worry about knots. You always get the right
depth.

I use a 7 inch spoon type hole cutter. Awful just awful. You're better off
going out Sunday and reopening someone's Saturdays holes with just a 
blade chisel. If any one knows how to sharpen these things I could use the 
help. 

I have seen a fish (largemouth) that didn't fit through a 7 inch hole.

I do make a trip to Champlain every year (Swanton Vt.), and last year there
was three feet of ice. I sunk my father's power auger up to the motor for
every hole. No hand augers here. Also, around mid February in these parts,
the ice can get pretty thick. Its not a bad idea if you are really into the 
sport to grab a power ice auger. Guy's that jig alot may also find it useful as 
they tend to cut alot of holes and move around. My father owns a jiffy with
an 8" blade. Its nice. Costs around $220.00 new.


If you are going to make the trip to Champlain do it in early March. The 
pike start to move shallow for breeding. We caught and released a dozen
fish a piece in the 7 - 12 lb range in a weekend. Great perch jigging as 
well. Funny thing though, the Canadians on the ice only fish for perch (with 
tilts). They thought we were pretty strange fishing for jacks (pike). Whenever
they caught a small one on their tilts, they'd bring it over.

If you go bring lots of good size shiners and some pin heads for the perch.
I can recommend some places to stay if you're interested.

	Does anyone care to share some hot spots for ice fishing in
	the southern NH area?
	
	I have done a fair amount of ice fishing in previous years
	(I didn't make it out last year) at Robison's pond in Hudson,
	NH. We have had good luck with perch and pickerel and every
	now and then we pull up a couple pound large mouth.

	Has anyone tried Beaver Lake in Derry NH? I want to give it 
	a try, but would like to know if it is worth my time or not.


			Thanks
			Gene

	I gave Beaver Lake a try yesterday for a couple of hours
	at noon time. Although I only had one flag, it was a nice
	day and great to get out. The ice was thicker than I had
	expected, 6 to 8 inches.

	Lets hear from you guys that ice fish southern N.H.
	Where are those hot spots...?

	I tried Robinson Pond in Hudson N.H. on Saturday with
	my daughter. We caught 6 large mouths, the largest
	being about 1 1/2 pounds. Rumor has it that they have
	set a size limit of 15" on large mouth this year, has
	anyone heard anything about this? The guys that were
	fishing about 100 feet from us were catching perch and
	pickerel. All we caught were bass...!

	Let's hear from you other southern N.H. icefishers...

		Gene

I picked up a copy of the N.H. Fishing regulations this weekend. 
I didn't notice anything on bass.  I'll have to check, 15" seems
a little long for a minimum on bass.

I did notice that the minimum size limit is now 18" for Lake Trout.

Has anyone out there tried ice fishing on Nubanusit this year?
I plan on trying it in a couple of weeks and would appreciate any
input.


Keith

MK01-2/G15

	RE:10

	I tried Nubanusit weekend before last. I went with two other
	guys, we were only able to stay for a couple of hours. We had
	about 6 flags, but no fish to show for our efforts. There were
	several other people on the ice, I saw them chacing flags too,
	but I did not see any fish...!


		Gene

    I fish on Little Island Pond in Pelham, NH just about every Sunday.
    Lots of pick and perch, some bass - lots of flags - plenty of exercise
    and you can't beat the fresh air.  Saw a guy last week pull a 7-lb.
    @ 24" bass out of a hole - the thing was huge, a lot of trouble
    to pull through (@ 8" hole).
    
    I bought my boyfriend a power auger with a 10" borer for Christmas
    (not hoping for a *BIG* one or anything).  We've tried hand augers
    and chippers but nothing beats the power auger!!  You go out around
    7:00 a.m. and by 7:30-8:00 all traps are set and flags are flying!!