First Ice Outing of the season ( Central Illinois)

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ratsotail
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First Ice Outing of the season ( Central Illinois)

Post by ratsotail »

Wow, judging by the few reports thus far this year I might have actually beat a few guys out on the ice at my southern latitude. I hooked up with a couple guys from work, who are from northern climates, South Dakota and Minnesota, and not too squeamish about fishing early ice. We arrived with perfect conditions at a small reservoir named Ramsey State Park about a half hour after sunrise; light snow, low winds and 3-5" of clear ice.

We didn't catch anything huge on the day, but really had a good day with the panfish. The snow and low light conditions kept the fish biting most of the day. Here's just a few pics from the outing:

Here's my pile of Bluegills and Redear at about noon today.
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Here's my buddy Ed with one of the Crappie caught:
Image
My friend Jim with a Largie before release:
Image

The season can be very short in this area so I'm hoping for one more cold shot of arctic air for a longer than usual season. Please send cold air this way Santa!

Tight Lines,

ratsotail
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baz fish
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Post by baz fish »

Nice bunch of pannies there bud :) .
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Gord
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Post by Gord »

nice pile o' pannies lad! :)
I'm a goin' fishin', mama's goin' fishin' and my baby's goin fishin' too.

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HotelTango
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Post by HotelTango »

Nice haul of pan fish.
All fishermen are liars except for you and me, and to tell you the truth, I'm not sure about you.
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fatluke
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Post by fatluke »

Great start Jeff...

I can still taste your cold leftovers from a few years ago.

I'm sure you thoroughly enjoyed your first batch of hard water pannies.
MEAT - Grind it, stuff it, smoke it.
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Mike P
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Post by Mike P »

Nice to see you are onto the ice fishing Jeff.
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esox50
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Post by esox50 »

Great looking sunfish, Jeff! Have you ventured elsewhere in central Illinois? (I'm from Champaign)
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ratsotail
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Post by ratsotail »

esox50 wrote:Great looking sunfish, Jeff! Have you ventured elsewhere in central Illinois? (I'm from Champaign)
Esox,

This was my first trip out this year and I haven't ventured as far as Champaign yet. I do have a long weekend planned further north...maybe Argyle Lake near Macomb. Do you have any suggestions for lakes in your neck of the woods with a good selection of species to terrorize 8) :lol: ?

tight lines

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ASK
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Post by ASK »

Nice Pics and report guys

ASK
Just Dive................
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Eli
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Post by Eli »

Nice pannies.
I dig your buddies choice in rods as well. Picked one up myself this season and that noodle action can't be beat.
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ratsotail
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Post by ratsotail »

Eli wrote:Nice pannies.
I dig your buddies choice in rods as well. Picked one up myself this season and that noodle action can't be beat.
Eli,

Those Ice Blue rods are sweet aren't they. I became fond of them in Ottawa when by buddy Slop introduced them to me. I kind of spread the word when I moved South again. You can't beat them for the price, the action and ability to land a bigger fish too.

tight lines

ratsotail
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Moosebunk
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Post by Moosebunk »

That's a solid first ice outing Jeff. Nice!!!
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S.M.05
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Post by S.M.05 »

Nothing like that first haul of fish through the ice..... :D

Great report,
I can just imagine the feed later that night.
The sweet is not as sweet without the bitter!
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