The Happy Fisherman

Hello Everyone , I know it’s been awhile scence my last blog but things have been crazy busy in my life so I thought I’d catch you all up with what I’ve been up to and what I’ve been catching. So Those who follow me on facebook know I have been non stop busy Scence the ice fishing season which ended with us catching the biggest perch we’ve caught and discovering the sweet taste of white perch.

End Of Ice Season Catch

Then we worked continuously on our boat which worked then died every time we put her in the water by the third time, the motor we thought to be an expensive fix just needed to be JB welded and set for 24 hours. (will be posting boat launch success video  on getreeled.com today.) We tested the boat and all it’s gear that day so no fish but we will be taking boat out again soon to really fish from it this time, now that the testing phase is over.

Old Busted Motor

Fixed working Motor

On top of all that I’m planning my wedding, but still managed to squeeze in a day of fishing once every weekend, problem is here in Vermont the spring weather has really been Funky and what I mean is that one day the weather would be in the 80’s and the next would be in the low 60’s threw spring fishing way out of wack, the only fish we caught worth mentioning is a nice size pickerel caught in the shallows from shore.

The last few weekends we went night fishing from shore at Limoil river in hopes of catching channel cats, we caught one small channel cat that night. but before the night was over a ” Mystery” fish doubled over my 8 foot surf rod and put up one heck of a battle I was netting and my buddy Nate was working the fish when he tried to adjust the drag and Snapped the line.

Limoil River

The following weekend we went back, this time loaded with 65 lb sonic braid ,at first the night Started out the same way nice and slow and relaxing, then Nate got his line tangled in the rocks so I went to help. while doing so my rod began to double over and bounce violently, Nate was Lighter and faster than me so I sent him over to catch the rod, He reached it just in time as the rod itself was coming out of the holder and the first battle ensued. Drag screaming, Hearts pounding, Adrenalin flowing. The Beast reached the net to our amazement it was a 13lb freshwater drum (better known as a sheephead) , almost 3 feet long. shortly after that I reeled in a 9 lb that was 2 feet 4 inches. Awesome fish and wicked battle. The Following photo are our victory and trophy poses from that night.

Nate's Victory Pose

My Victory Pose

"Nate's Trophy Pose"

My Trophy Pose

well that should catch us up for the moment, and I’m almost Finished with installing our pool, which was eating up alot more time than anticipated. and only a few more months left till the wedding i should be back in business and blogging more often. thanks for your time and patience.

30TH Annual

Lake Champlain

Islands

ICE FISHING DERBY

SATURDAY – SUNDAY:

FEBRUARY 13 – 14, 2010

MARK YOUR CALANDERS AND BUY YOUR

TICKETS TODAY!

YOU COULD WIN:

Now in it’s 30th consecutive year, the derby is proud to award over $4,000 in cash and prizes. There are seven categories of which to compete for cash prizes up to $300.00, plus a trophy for the first 3 places in each category. However you don’t have to catch the biggest fish in the lake to be a winner. Your derby ticket qualifies you to win a jiffy power auger at the awards ceremony on Sunday night, You must be present to win.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

you may call one of the following committee members : Mindy and Gilbert Granger ( Martin’s General Store) 802-868-4459; Steve Martell (Bayside Bait and Tackle) 802-524-2222; or George Fowler (The Islander Newspaper) 802-372-5600.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL !

Get your gear ready , Cold weather has brought us an early ice season. I came across this article in the Sunday paper while drinking my coffee and my excitement level shot through the roof . I ran through the house showing everyone, and now sharing this info to you my fellow ice anglers. Our first ice fishing adventure will take place after the new year. Also just got an HD camcorder so Keep an eye out for great ice fishing Videos. (Coming Soon)

Now that winter is here time to reorganize my gear for storage. Here is a look inside my tackle box and some of the lures and tools I use for spring, summer, and fall fishing.

Here is a collection of crank baits, my Favorite ones being the two cranks that look like small perch. I’ve had alot of success with all the cranks shown, the strike king itsy bitsy minnow works great for crappie, the fire tiger color works best in any lighting condition, the blue fox minnows work well on the crappie, blue gill, and perch. The perch cranks that i mentioned before work on everything from bass, crappie, pike, pickerel, and big perch. I love feeling the strike of fish when reeling in a crank bait.

Here Is the Luck “E” Strike ring worm kit. I purchased this kit from Bass Pro Shop and as I’ve said before this is the best plastic worm set and at a sweet price $5.99. We were very success full with this kit especially the blue colored worms in both sizes in fact a 3lb bass hammered the smaller ring worm and it seemed like the 2lb bass were hitting the larger ones, could there be a pattern here? Either way the verity this kit comes with I believe will catch fish anywhere. This is also a great kit for someone who hasn’t used plastic worms before. It’s easy to use and comes with every thing you need to rig many different ways. (Highly Recommended)

This top water frog set was something new I’ve never tried before and I’m still learning how to use them. We’ve had many hits with these frogs but have yet to land one. This Was a Great buy All frogs shown came in one kit can’t remember which store I ordered this kit from but I can tell you it was either Bass Pro Shop or Cabela’s.

Here are other lures which we’ve used over and over, such as the banjo minnow. The banjo minnow catches fish and has great action but I find those weed guard rubber bands a pain in the butt. The plastic lizards are great lures we use them without weights and run them over the top of lillypads and the fish just hammer them, also if you let them sink just bellow the surface and slow retrieve you’ll catch those lazy fish that are not in feeding mode. in this box there is a chatter bait and other odds and ends.

This box contains another kit by Luck “E” Strike, It’s there tube kit i bought this for two reasons. One I’ve never used them before and two there being used more and more in the ice fishing world. Again this kit comes with everything you need to start fishing with tubes, cost a little bit more than the ring worm kit but worth every penny to learn something new. Also pictured here are some bobbers that were on sale at Walmart for twenty five cents, and a Lindy worm blower.

Here are a few of my rods and reels all cleaned and ready for storage, (Not all rods shown) Now that My gear is organized and ready for the spring and summer months it’s time to prep all the ice fishing gear .

Good Luck And Happy Fishing

Ice Fishing Derby 2009

As the anticipation of ice fishing season fast approaches, I can’t stress enough the importance of ice safety, here are a few tips that could save your life or the life of a fellow fisherman.

* Attach a long cord to your sled. Not only does this make the sled easier to pull but should someone fall through the ice you can push the sled to them holding onto the line.
* Carry two picks – spikes protruding from wooden hand holds – to help pull your way out if you should fall in.
* If you should fall through the ice, once you spike your way out or are pulled out, don’t stand – roll across the ice in the direction you came.
* Carry a throwable seat cushion. It’ll add to your seating comfort and give you something throw to someone fallen through.
* Keep your auger covered. The blades are sharp, and can easily cut you, your dog or your children.
* Spray vegetable oil on your auger and snowshoes. Snow won’t stick and you won’t cut yourself cleaning off the show.
* Wear creepers. Slip on, or spiked shoes will keep you from slipping and falling on the ice.
* Bring a phone to call for help.
* A first aid kit
* Watch for weak spots. Weaker ice often looks different than strong ice.
* Carry a spud and test, test, test.
* Watch out for weedy areas. Weeds produce heat and the ice is weaker around them.
* Watch the bottom. If it moves, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY!
* Use your brain when evaluating the conditions and decisions. Never let a desire for fishing incite you to do something hazardous.
* Keep your eye on what direction the wind is from, the speed, the topography of the area, and the condition of any cracks you cross.
* Keep in mind that no number or size fish is worth your life.
* Learn when you make a mistake so you don’t repeat them.
* Wear wool clothes a few layers out from your body. It retains it’s insulating properties when wet and, after your body warms up the water soaked in between your body and the wool, the water will also insulate you from the cold.
* Watch the temperature. While it may not be warm enough to melt the ice, it may very well weaken it substantially because soft ice is much weaker than hard.

When the ice is questionable:

* Go only in waters you or somebody you’re fishing with know.
* Remember to go out only as far as you can make it back if you’re wet.
* Exercise extreme care if you go in water over your head or in a current.

These tips and more can be found here: https://www.lake-link.com/icefishing/IceFishingSafety.cfm

Remember be safe and Happy Fishing