rong
Minnow
Posts: 26 
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Post by rong on Jan 8, 2014 9:28:16 GMT -6
I had never fished in sub-zero temps so I thought I'd give it a try last night. It was minus one as I headed out.  And actually was -7 as I arrived at the pond at 9 pm.  The crappies were there waiting for my arrival.  It was an evening of fiascos, mainly from the cold. The shanty was wet when last packed up and frozen shut. I thought it was going to tear from trying to force it open. One ice reel that is normal fluid in the cold would barely turn. Then came a birdsnest. After re-tying that mess, I touched my line to the lantern and cut it.  I think half my time was spent dealing with the stupid crap. Anyhow it was fun despite the cold and only landing 4 fish. Without much wind, the cold was almost bearable.  |
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Post by BFA on Jan 8, 2014 9:40:45 GMT -6
Brrrrrrrr. Sounds like you'll be ready for next time though which should make the whole experience a bit better. Do they make small portable heaters for those things?
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impractical
Bullhead
www.theimpracticalfishermen.com
Posts: 72
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Post by impractical on Jan 8, 2014 9:52:02 GMT -6
I tis kind of cold out here too. It got down to 34.5 today but it felt like 34.
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rong
Minnow
Posts: 26
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Post by rong on Jan 8, 2014 10:07:57 GMT -6
Brrrrrrrr. Do they make small portable heaters for those things? Yes, I have a couple of them but rarely use them. I find my self night fishing more than day fishing so I have to use a lantern. Normally, a single mantle propane lantern makes enough heat for my one-man flip shanty. Last night I could have used a double lantern + a heater.  |
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Post by BFA on Jan 8, 2014 10:14:40 GMT -6
Or get some battery powered underwear
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JustinCarf
Bass
Saltwater fish, beware. I'm on my way!
Posts: 165
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Post by JustinCarf on Jan 8, 2014 12:54:03 GMT -6
Or get some battery powered underwear They already have heated socks, that are controlled with a remote. I'm sure heated underwear are going to be released next year, followed by heated bra's. |
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rong
Minnow
Posts: 26
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Post by rong on Jan 9, 2014 5:01:33 GMT -6
So I hit the spot again last night, thinking it was going to be warmer. -3 was the temp this time out. Last time out the total was 4 crappies. This time I iced 4 crappies within the first 5 minutes. The first 2 dozen fish came nonstop, then you had to work a bit for them. 37 crappies total, plus a keeper sized bluegill. Biggest fish was 10". Most were about 8" on average. All caught on spikes on glow jigs in the dark. |
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Post by BFA on Jan 9, 2014 8:34:49 GMT -6
Nice! Did you stay in the same spot all night or move around?
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rong
Minnow
Posts: 26
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Post by rong on Jan 9, 2014 10:40:11 GMT -6
Nice! Did you stay in the same spot all night or move around? I fished about 20 yards north of where I fished the night before. I fished the first random hole I drilled and it was 13' deep, catching 31 fish from that hole before it slowed. I drilled closer to shore and found that to be 18' deep with no visible fish. Drilling a few more holes, all were at 18 meaning my first random hole was a lucky shot being right over a 5' hump in an 18' deep section where the fish were piled up. I'm going back with my handheld gps to mark the hump for future years fishing. So to answer your question, I only fished two holes. It's pretty deep for a retention pond. I found up to 22' the one time I dropped my kayak into it. |
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rong
Minnow
Posts: 26
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Post by rong on Jan 10, 2014 11:24:19 GMT -6
I went back for the 3rd night in a row. 22° felt like July.  I brought my handheld and marked the "crappie hump" so I can find the spot in future years. I wasn't as ambitious, so didn't stay too long. The fish were a little less ambitious too. 15 crappies made it topside. Call the exterminator! This place has a roach infestation!  This is what you get when you dump your minnow bucket into a pond or lose one of these off your tip up and it survives. They are aggressive and fun to catch. |
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I think half my time was spent dealing with the stupid crap.
