Page 7 - Fishing Report - 1-18-16

FIRST ICE Tips: from Dave “Hardwater” Lefebre, member of the Ice Force Team

I have not been out, too busy this week with editing process of a new fishing show coming
soon…shhhh-don’t tell anyone, lol. Saturday was the first day with ice potential, and if I
could have, I would have gone somewhere this morning, but I’m stuck in meetings.

First ice is probably my favorite time to get out, but also the most dangerous, so be extra
careful. I’ve already gone out in the boat just before the freeze, so I know exactly where
the “good” grass is and where the holes are. This stuff changes every year; anglers who go
back to the same spot every winter are in a rut and likely not catching as many fish as
those who pre-scout areas before ice.

Do you want to be “that guy” in the middle of a large crowd catching fish when everyone
else is scratching their head? The most important thing at first ice is taking advantage of
the pre-scouting opportunity in a boat before ice forms…idle around those typical ice fish-
ing areas and know it all like the back of your hand. Too late for that this season, but file
that away somewhere for next winter.

Crappie fishing is typically good early. Bluegills can be good all a
through the season, and don’t get me wrong, I love big blue-
gills, but I save that for when crappie fishing gets tougher. For
the slabs, I like bigger baits like the 2-inch Yamamoto Grub
and VMC Nymph Tail, normally in whites, clears or chartreus-
es. I use a heavy head, even in the shallows, but with a small
profile. You can’t beat the Tungsten Tubby 1/32 oz. head. I’ll
use glow, chartreuse and maybe some pinks and reds to add
little flare and contrast. Finding crappies is more important
than the bait, though both are critical at times.

During the day, covering water and having a bunch of holes is a favorite approach of mine
at first ice especially. I take note of hotter holes because I may want to camp on them at
prime time – dawn and dusk. Remember crappies move around a lot but are easy to
pattern, so pay attention to every bite. Are they in the holes near grass? Are they in the
thick stuff? Are they suspended? If you don’t have one, get yourself a good ice flasher unit
for crappie fishing – otherwise you are fishing blind. I use a Marcum LX-5. There are more
expensive ones but I keep coming back to this one!
Best of luck on the ice, be safe and follow my little ice fishing community and feel free to
message me anytime or post photos and reports, too! https://facebook.com/
ErieIceFishingAdventures/.