The 4 F’s

What are the four F’s? Well they are family, friends, fish, and food. You put all of that together on the ice, and you have a great time!

So, my friends, family and I were at the 2019 Maple Lake ice fishing derby in Maple Lake, MN last weekend. It started out with a few friends and I getting on the lake around 6:30 A.M. just so we could get a decent spot. The fishing contest starts at 12 and ends at 3. We got our spot and mapped out where we would be drilling the 30+ holes. We drilled a few holes, talk a bit, then drill more holes.

As the morning went on, more and more people showed up onto the ice, not to mention the 100’s of others already I their wheeler ice houses. Some more friends and family were showing up and one of them started the Weber grill to put the chicken wings with a dry rub on them. Then, my dad showed up with the fryer! We fried a little bit of everything Pike, Crappie, Bullhead, and for the first time Salmon. All of it was fantastic and like we always say, “if you go home hungry, you don’t like food.”

The Tournament started at 12. We started baiting the Hooks with Suckers and Shiners bought at Runnings of Monticello, MN the night before. At the sound of a bang, all lines god down (including the 30 in our group).

After a bit of waiting, we ended up catching a 3.6 lb Largemouth bass and an almost 2 lb. Pike. Each were registered but didn’t cut it for winning anything. Still loads of fun though!

So if you are looking for a fun day on the ice and want to participate in a great Tournament make sure to check out the link! And if you’re not sure where to go or what to use, leave a comment and I’ll be happy to give you information!

Ice Fishing the Cabin

So, last weekend was the “kick off” for my ice season. My wife, a family friend and I went up to the cabin to fish. It is up by Fergus Falls, MN, one of my homes away from home. We went to catch Crappie but caught a few bonuses and made memories.

I had been on the ice before last weekend, but only for a few hours. The first time was for Thanksgiving weekend and the second was in Menomonie, WI. Both produced fish, though, that is for another story.

It was Saturday morning. I had woken up at 7am with the excitement for Paul to come pick my wife and I up. See Paul had just gotten a new Dodge Ram and we got to go up in that. It was very comfortable as we made our way up, telling all the fishing stories we had all had years past.

We got up to the cabin at about 1030-11 AM. We unpacked all the things not needed for fishing and turned the heat on in the cabin. After getting a few things situated we were off to fish!

One of the neighbors was kind enough to plow a road out to the “Crappie” spot. So we took that out, though it was still to early for Crappies. We decided to fish in the bay in front of our cabin. We set up four Beaver Dam and 2 Frabill tip ups. We were going to give it until 230 and then go head to the Crappie spot. At about 130 we all started to get hungry, so we started to make sandwiches. Now keep in mind we have not had a flag go up yet. Then it happened as we were all huddled by the tail gate of the truck. “Tip up UP!!!” I yell, and start to run ( it just happened to be my Tip up.) I get to it, lift it up slow, and set the hook. I feel the tug and know the fish is on. It fights for a bit and I get it out of the hole. It’s a Large mouth bass. First fish of the day, and we haven’t even finished lunch yet!

After that we have a few more flags go up, but miss the fish. It becomes 230 and we pack up and go to the evening bite spot.

We drop all the gear off and my wife and Paul bring the dogs back to the cabin. As they do that, I stay and set up. I use my Auger and drill three holes for where the Ice house will sit, and one out side for a Tip up to be placed. I rig the Tip up with a BlueTipz transducer.

My wife and Paul get back just as I am finishing up and we start the fishing (again). With the heater going and the hum of 2 Flashers going, the Alarm goes off for the Tip up. I run out, set the hook and pull up a nice 20″ Pike. I end up bringing the whole rig back so I can concentrate on the Crappie bite.

For the next 2 hours it was non stop fish. Sizes any where from 9″-14″. We ended up with a Three person limit and released a bunch back.

The success to our fishing was planing and equipment that we used. We all used a 13 fishing rod and reel combo. The rest:

• Moon jigs
• Venom floats
• Tiger eye glass jigs
• Fireline micro ice

• Crappie minnows

After our fun catching, we went back to the cabin. We filleted all our fish and divided them into ziplocks. As we finished cleaning we popped some Frozen pizzas in the oven and had a happy hour. Some of the neighbors came over and we all talked and laughed at the night of fishing we just had. It is, and always be, the place for some of the greatest memories.

Getting ready for the first opener!

The WI Opener is this Saturday the 5th! This week I will be putting New line on my ultra-lite rod. Going for trout I like to use a light line around 3-4 lb. test. This, with a smaller rod makes it easier to fish tight spots. I make sure I have a Clear bobber and plent of plain Hook in a size 4, this way the hook won’t get to far in the fish’s mouth and makes for an easier set. This year I will be using the Fishing Buddy Cooler to put my worms in. (Make sure to follow to get the full review on this, early next week!) I bring my waders, and rubber boots to walk around in the water. Usually I’ll wear a hoodie or a medium weight jacket for the morning chill. A bucket with ice and pop and I’m good to go!