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| During the winter time, fish
stay very close to the bottom. Water is most dense at 39.2 degrees F.
Once the lake is completely frozen, the warmest water will be 39.2
degrees, and will be on the bottom of the lake. The water temperature in
a frozen lake will range from 32 degrees (right under the ice) to 39.2
degrees (water at the bottom of the lake). Because fish is cold-blooded,
it will congregate where it is most comfortable (warmest). |
| Try and locate a bend or
break in the weed-line
and fish it. (As opposed to just fishing the deep edge of the weed-line).
Unless you're blessed with clear ice with no snow on top, about the only
way to know where such a break is, is to use a depth-finder or know
where it is from summer. One interesting note is that if the water is
clear and relatively shallow, you can see down into it quite a distance
by doing this: lie down on the ice, and look down the hole, shading the
hole with the hood of your parka. At first you won't see anything, but
be patient. After a minute or so, your eyes will adjust and focus
(following your bait down as you lower it is a big help to focus), and
you'll be amazed at seeing your bait and the bottom.
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| Bite Detection is
Critical |
| One of the most important
factors in ice fishing is detecting the bite. Many anglers use what is
known as a spring bobber. A small piece of piano wire attached to the
tip of the rod with a red bead or paint on the very end. These are
effective, yet they tend to get in the way when you do catch a fish and
bent out of shape easily. I prefer using an extremely light
"noodle" rod instead. These rods are so light you will find it
hard to imagine catching a large fish, but believe me they work just
fine. The trick to landing a fish through the ice depends more on having
your drag set properly on your reel than the stiffness of your rod. This
is due to the sharp angles in which the fish is pulling against the side
of the ice hole that buffers the force against the rod itself. If you
choose to use the stiffer rods than I suggest using a small float/bobber
at the ice hole. |
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