Iowa Ice Bonanza

[Schoe]

Last Tues. Mike Serle,( Illinoisgiller, our pan fish adviser) and myself traveled to South central Iowa for an Ice fishing adventure. We hooked up with a couple of Mikes friends, Marty and Randy, that were familiar with the lakes we were to fish. So, we drove through some really neat looking country side until we got to our target lake and saw Mikes buddies already out on the ice.

Keep in mind this was about noon, but we were still high on expectations.

We gathered our gear and off we went. This was the first time in probably 25 years that I have gone ice fishing except once on Lake Erie while I worked in Ohio about 12 years ago.

After meeting and greeting a couple of fine fellows we got set up for business and I had my first shot of using my own Vexilar. This turned out to be the biggest highlight of the day with the leg up it gives to the ice fisherman.

I'm not going to bore anyone with a blow by blow but I watched my first fish come into the cone area and I dropped my T.H.E. Jig tipped with a small piece of Wax worm down in front of the fish and slowly retrieved it away from him and stopped and here he came, smack, I caught my first Vexilar Bluegill which turned out to be the biggest of the day probably nudging a half Lb.
The fishing was very slow but not unusual for that time of day so we decided to move to another lake a few miles away.

Not to discount the next lake Marty managed to surface a few keepers while the rest of us caught a few small ones before we disbanded for the day.

Mike and I went by a place called Kent Lake County Park just West of Tiffin Ia. and thought we would stop there on the way home which we did.

There is the big lake and three other smaller ones that we had in mind to fish. I have to confess that we stopped at their visitors center on the way out and talked to a very nice fellow who I believe is the Co. director of the park. We had a nice chat with him and was very pleased with his helpful hints as to where the best fishing for Bluegills would be found on the lakes. We took his advice and went to one of the smaller lakes which we thought was the "Honey Hole" he was telling us about. We punched several holes that the Vexilar didn’t show anything and finally Mike drilled a half doz. Holes down through the center of the pond and checked them for fish as he went and nothing,we were puzzled .

Time was getting short with daylight so we decided to stick it out at the last Mike drilled. As we were getting all set up I noticed a fellow walking down the hill toward us. As he approached my Vexilar was going nuts with lines from the bottom up five ft. so I maneuvered my jig and Pop, I got one and then Pop, another and I think I had 5 or 6 on the Ice before he closed the 50 yards. He turned out to be a very nice park employee that was curious as to what brought a couple of fellas from Ill. out to their park. Of course our answer was Bluegills, and he chuckled and said well the good Bluegill lake was the center lake down a few hundred yards from where we were. Mike and I had messed up our directions and was fishing the wrong lake. Oh well, we were having a good time where we were and it was too late to move so we stuck it out there till the sun went way down and our hands started to freeze.

We assured the park Ranger we would be back again and pass the word what a neat park Kent Lake was.

I think we caught 30 some gills there the last hour but couldn't’t have had more fun if we had a bucket full.

Here’s a few photos of the day.Notice T.H.E. jig I caught my first and biggest of the day. Schoe

[CrappieKeith]

Well now for a guy that hasn't ice fish in better than a decade I'd say you picked up on it pretty quick.
Isn't that Vexy the bomb?
Like takin candy from a baby!

[Schoe]

You are absolutly right Keith. It is the perfect Ice fishermans tool. Without it I would doubt if we would have caught much. Schoe

[Illinoisgiller]

I might ad that we drove a lot of miles and bounced from lake to lake turning it into a scouting trip as was planned .I picked up my new Vexilar FL8 Pro Pac and like the slightly brighter display. Marty is testing his new Markum. I'm not sure of the nomenclatures but it is a #5. So far he likes it.
I'll also make note that we recieved a warm welcome from the Johnson County Park folks. They have a bluegill population problem on two of the 3 ponds they are building. Although the gills are small by Iowa standards ,they are plump and healthy.:party0011: The main lake is hard hit, and best left to the local folks that enjoy it. It is a pleasure to visit Kent Park. This is probably due to the hard work the park employees do to keep this park in the pristene condition it is in.
If you get a chane to get out that way, it is just west of Iowa City. Take the Tiffin exit and proceed west on rout#6. Stop at the visitors-education center and they will direct you to the right ponds. Be sure to sign the guest register. It is a small measure of our appreciation. Mike

[Fishaholic]

sounds like a great day, let me know the next trip there anytime soon!!!!! im game !!!

[cattracker16]

Yeah fellas let me know when you plan on going again, i'm sure i could be bribed to go fishin with ya. i've only fished the main lake didn't even know they had extras to fish.

[Schoe]

There that was easy enough.

As most of my buds know I went back to work part time last Fall, and my employer was generous with letting me off when I wanted but still my fishing time was invaded pretty good.

Sooo, yesterday I gave my notice that as of the end of Dec. I will no longer be employed there.

When our crew returns from Minn. I will be back in my old retired flexible mode and plan to expand my ice fishing time greatly. I know of some super places in Wis. that should produce well through the ice as Giller and I tore them up quite often when we made our trips up there in the summer months two years ago.

There are so many places to try out its going to be hard to choose. So think of a time and place and we will give it a go. Schoe

[GOT_A_Fish]

Shoe, Congrats on your second retirement. :party0045:
Fishin is more important and much better than workin.

Hope to get the chance to hook up with you guys to put some holes in the Icethis winter....

[CrappieKeith]

WTG Schoe!
I'm sooooo jealous!
When I retire ,I hope it's right into guiding.Can I start tommorow?

[gofish]

way ta go fellas........aint never seen a time giller went an gills didnt come home lol

[wewamohawk]

Nice Looking Fish There Schoe And Giller And We Are Glad To Hear That You Wont Be Working And We Are Wishing All You Guys Aand Your Familys A Nice Christmas ;;; Maurice And Lucy

[Schoe]

One thing I failed to mention when I made my post on our Ice fishing excursion was that of course we were hungry after a gruel-ling day fighting those ferocious Gills and were trying to decide where to fulfill this urge when leaving the park heading back to I80 we came to Tiffen a quaint little town just west of Williamsburg Ia. There it was, L & J Kitchen BBQ House. This is a very neat and spotless restaurant serving all types of food and featuring BBQ Ribs which Mike and I inhaled for dinner.

I have eaten Ribs from all over the country and have never eaten any better. I liked them so well I took a whole rack home with me . Their sauce is home made and very palatable.

Anyone traveling that way should do their selves a favor and stop in. You can't miss it coming on Rt. 6 through Tiffen as it is on the south side of of the street in the middle of town.

I am terrible remembering names but the owners are very friendly and nice people eager to please .

I did get some Photos. Schoe

[Illinoisgiller]

Those ribs were GREAT! I'll be stopping by with the wife sometime when we are passing by. Thinking about those ribs, we need to find a weather window for a get together at the Kent Park ponds.:party0011::party0011::party0045::party0045: :icon_biggrin: Mike

[Schoe]

Great idea Mike, now someone needs to pick a date and we can work around the weather. Schoe

[Fishaholic]

lets get that rollin guys, Im off work till Jan 2nd

[Illinoisgiller]

Wife said it might hit 27next Sat. Friday even warmer at 34, but some might not be able to make a week day. I can work around most days.
Up for suggestions. Mike

[Fishaholic]

well we can always plan more than one day to fish doesnt have to be there!! Like I said im off all this week till the 2nd so im looking to get out anytime I can!!!! Just let me know.

[Schoe]

Well Mike, what do you think of taking the Motor home down Fri. and we can check things out and get a jump start for Sat.

It's sitting out at J&J Campers where I had it winterized so we won't have any running water but thats no problem. I will have them fire up the furnace and make sure thats working fine.

I have that big carrying rack that fits the rear hitch to haul all the big gear.

Let me know and is anyone else interested ? Schoe

[Fishaholic]

im interested!!!!

[Schoe]

Good deal Jason, three can stay in th M. H. comfortable and 5 if they really like each other.

Jordan just went home to ask his mom if he can go. Thats not a problem as he can sleep with me so there's still plenty of room. Schoe

[Illinoisgiller]

We'll have to check and see if there is any electric availabe. Schoe has 50' of the size electric cord he needs. Would be neat if we could park in the parking lot at the visitor center IF there is electric availabe there. Camp grounds just might not be open this time of year.
I don't recall seeing a motel at Tiffin ,but it's just a short jump to Corralville ,and they have scads of them. I and Schoe will be doing some checking. Mike

[Schoe]

OK, Jordan's in so he can sleep with me. So you and Mike will each have your own bed.

I sent an E-mail to the park Ranger asking if there is a facility open close to the rest rooms. Schoe

[cattracker16]

sat would be a good time for me, and i only live bout 40 or so minutes from there. whose got the wax worms?

[Illinoisgiller]

Kenny, I think I can get a couple tubs from Margaret here at the local bait shop.
I'll also gather up some extra rods and tackle.
I wish they had a heated fish cleaning station. lol (I don't ask for much:confused0024: lol)

[gofish]

got a boy goin in the hosp. overnight the 26th so if everything goes ok i can probably run my daughter home fri. afternoon ta rockford......wifey told i been drivin her nuts so i can go if i want.....aint even looked at my auger since last winter,have ta git it fired up an new line on my poles.......got room fer possibly 1 more schoe?

[Fishaholic]

I should be able to make the trip, ganna have to leave out saturday about noon, my brothers 8th bday party, just found out about it!!!!
u ganna be up there early enuff to fish friday???????

[Fishaholic]

is there anything else needed to bring???
I can get some wax worms if needed,, need to know asap. so there put back!!

whats plans for friday night dinner?????
I have some Italian venison we can cook up, just gatta put it it crock pot for couple hrs be good and easy to do!!!! Let me know,

this is a lot harder to plan, being winter, cant really sit around a campfire campin in tents....

[Schoe]

Well you are right Jason. I will probably make some Sausage Gravy and Biscuits for Sat. AM at the camper but for lunch and dinners theres a neat BBQ Restaurant a short way from the campground in Tiffen. Schoe

[Illinoisgiller]

Joe, I have two Strikemaster Lazers. I use a 6" all the time. I got a 5" on sale once thinking it would be so much lighter and faster.
Conclusion- Lighter? yes.. Faster? no lol You are welcome to use it and I don't think there will be any problem getting those small gills through the hole.
I don't think a gas auger would be worth the effort there. Mike

[Fishaholic]

figured going out be easier but thought id throw the suggestion out....let me know what we need!!

ill have my auger too, so theyll be plenty to go around

[gofish]

preciate it giller....probly still bring mine ifn i can git er goin...i normally drill a ton of holes...try an git my tip ups, shadgut an such together fer cats....whats there sides gills? hope theres bass an perch lol.got my sled out last night...man its rough,gonna need ta buy a new cover soon.daggone mice in my shed did a number on it.:icon_mad: possibly stayin the night thurs. in rockford or somewhere up there,have ta wait an see.

[Illinoisgiller]

Bass are catch and release ONLY.lol They are trying to create a good fishery there and want the bass to control the gills. Don't know about the cats though, we'll have to check. The main lake, Kent Park Lake is supposed to hold plenty of cats. Mike

[gofish]

thats all i wanna do with the bass anyway is play with em lol......99% of the time i let em go.....sometimes they gotta go home fer some bassn eggs fer breakfast though lol......readin they got a few walleye there too....:icon_biggrin:

[cattracker16]

Should i burro the well digger so we can have a 14" hole? doh never mind mike said a gas powered one would be a waste.

[jason454ci]

Should i burro the well digger so we can have a 14" hole?

Ifin you bring that and they gots flatheads there I might have to make the trip. :icon_biggrin:

[gofish]

cattrackers showin his redneck colors a lil bit aint he? git-r-dun!.....bringin my hand auger at the least (8") ya can git a purty decent cat thru that

[Illinoisgiller]

Thanks to the wife, We have two tubs of nice wax worms .For those lil gills we can cut them in half and catch 2 or 3 on each piece. You do the math. lol lol
I left the house for the bait shop and got lost.:confused0024: By the time I figured out where I was I was at a spot on the canal I fish some. :party0011:Since I carry all my stuff with me I called her to get worms for me and went fishing. Mike

[wewamohawk]

Sounds Like You Guys Will Have A Nice Time Ice Fishing And Merry Chirstmas From Maurice And Lucy

[Fishaholic]

hows the ice conditions for this weekend????????
is there ganna be any or we ganna have to bring the boats..lol...

[Schoe]

Tomorrow, if I don't hear from the Ranger before then I will call and see how the ice conditions are and report. Schoe

[Pegleg]

Hey Fellers, From what I'm reading in this report ice fishin sounds kinda dangerous. I'm not a ice fisherman so I may be wrong. Good luck. http://www.iowadnr.com/news/currentfish.html

[Fishaholic]

thanks for that pegleg, svaed that site, never seen that before, be usefull for future referances...

[cattracker16]

yeah i already read there stuff wish they'd update there wed site alittle. 18th is a few days ago. seen a few boats on the miss up by the dam muscatine pool. i figure they's fishin fur walleys. and good news the power company is back up and runnin. coal fired hot water discharge.... hmmmmmmm do i need to get the boat out of the pole barn?

[Schoe]

Yeah it's not looking all that good for this weekend on the hard water. Perhaps maybe some Walleye and Sauger fishing.

A friend of mine brought me five nice Saugers this evening that I will have for dinner tomorrow. Schoe

[gofish]

makin some phone calls right now? i got rods,lures an tackle.....anybody got a boat ready!? :evilgrin0039:

[Schoe]

Fellas as much as I hate to we better put this trip to Kent Lake on the back burner till we return from Min. Jan. 7th. By then hopefully we have some good ice.

I just don't want to see anyone getting hurt or worse. We will have plenty of time this winter to re schedule. I will try and send PMs to all that were planning on attending. Schoe

[Illinoisgiller]

Good call Schoe, For those that don't know, the center pond we were hoping to help them with is best approached from the small stream feeding it at the upper end. With the warm weather we've had, someone will end up with wet feet at best and worse possible.
Just didn't work out this time. Mike

[GOT_A_Fish]

I agree this is a good call disapointing :confused0024: but safe, we don't want to be a part of the polar bear club or at least I don't. Hopfully we'll get a good freez and temps that stay below frezing for a while. I'm itchin to get out there on that hard water....

[Fishaholic]

thast too bad guys was lookin forward to some fishin, better be safe than sorry right!!!! hopefully can get this planned again!!!

[gofish]

fine with me guys....ya know im SCARED of water :confused0068:..........might git some ice roun here soon if the long range forcast is right.gittin the walleye gear out now,....git that poor boat ready cattracker...fishin fer eyes in a snowstorm ,dont git no better than that. thats when ive had my best days fer numbers an size lol:icon_biggrin:

[cattracker16]

I hadda move a old car outta the way but batteries are charged and boat should be ready to go.

[Fishaholic]

u guys have fun tommorow, ganna get dumped on with snow, better get some pics,,,,be careful

[Illinoisgiller]

Kenny, Take some sand with you . Those ramps can be icy this time of year. Mike:confused0024:

[cattracker16]

got it covered i got the snow blower in back of truck and joe has 40 # of ice melt. wish this snow would've waited for a couple days, but what the hey we got fishing to do

[capt.kirk]

Good Luck to all and stay safe,and you can keep the snow over there Kirk

[Fishaholic]

ill take the snow if we can get frezing temps to harden the ice back up, u guys do be safe out there, its getting nasty out here!!!

[gofish]

yep it was fun drove right thru it lol...started as soon as i got to my daughters in rockford an got bad quick! seemed worse by rockford an cleared some till i was bout 20 miles from moline.....missed not havin my carpenters box in the back fer the extra wieght lol