Fishing Forum

Full Version: Why I like to start fishing early
You're currently viewing a stripped down version of our content. View the full version with proper formatting.
Fished Strawberry today with a couple other anglers. From 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM -- I landed 6 fish
From 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM -- I landed 5 fish
From 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM -- I landed 0 fish and only missed one bite.

Largest was a fat 23 inch cutt and two were rainbows.

Ice is getting ugly. Any holes drilled during approximately the last couple weeks will immediately break through if one steps on them. One often breaks through the top layer of ice, that is 2-3 inches thick and then there is about 8 inches of slush under that. In some areas, especially near previous holes the slush is much deeper than 8 inches. There is still about 18 inches of solid ice, but with the upper layers melting it is a watery mess.

Got to try out my new rod holders (I was kind enough to donate my previous ones to some lucky angler a couple weeks ago -- left them in the parking lot at Strawberry[frown]). I changed the design and really like how they turned out. I used threaded ends to make the connections, which makes them extremely stable and easy to set up and take down.
[signature]
It looks like they are real back savers. You wont have to bend over so far to grab your pole...Great Idea. Thanks for donating your other ones. I am sure some one is enjoying them some wheres.

Craig
[signature]
Where did you fish? I am thinking about getting out tomorrow morning.
[signature]
Nice work on the holders. Looks good. Too bad the fish didn't make them see more work.

Are you done for the year on the hard deck or are you up for one more trip?
[signature]
South of The Strawberry Marina.
[signature]
Probably done for Strawberry -- might consider Huntington Reservoir (Quite sure it still has plenty of safe ice). Need to get my boat out soon and make sure the replacement outboard runs.
[signature]
Great design.. [Smile] Thanks for sharing. I may have to make some for next winter.
[signature]
Thanks for the report and sharing your rod holder design.
It gives me some ideas for improving my rod holder arsenal.
[signature]
Nice looking set up Kent. I thought it was Tubedudes float tube with all them poles!!![cool]
[signature]
now thats funny. thanx for the gigle...[:p]
[signature]
Where are the pics of the fish? That is what I care most about. The ice looks rotting for sure.[bobscared]
[signature]
I figured that most folks are getting tired of seeing Strawberry cutts on here, so I didn't even bother taking a picture.
[signature]
[#000080][/#000080]
[#000080][/#000080]
[#000080] Good looking set up Kent. You are actually turning into Tube Dude Junior. I heard you were shopping for a tube... [cool] and buying fins, and cat fish rigs.....[Wink][/#000080]
[signature]
[quote SportfishinSteve][#000080][/#000080]
[#000080][/#000080]
[#000080]I heard you were shopping for a tube... [cool] and buying fins, and cat fish rigs.....[Wink][/#000080]

[/quote]

Steve, you need to upgrade your sources -- they are feeding you false information.[laugh] BTW -- I already have a cat fish rig, I just need to go fishing with someone who can get me into one over 10 pounds.
[signature]
Just curious as to why it looks like you screwed the connectors together rather than gluing on your slip fittings?
[signature]
Yep, I used screws to make the connections. I did this for two reasons.
1) I have had glued connections fail on me before (undoubtedly, did a lousy job of gluing them in the first place).
2) It is much easier to replace and/or repair a broken section if screws are used. This is the primary reason that I used screws.

Recently, I noticed that TubeDude is now using screws in making his PVC connections, and in discussing this with him it made sense to me to do the same.
[signature]
[cool][#0000ff]Hey Junior, nice work on the PVC. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Just thought I would share a pic of my current incarnation of ice rod holder...assembled with screws. I have experimented with numerous designs and modifications but this one works best for me. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]It is a "quick draw" model, so that you can reach down and set the hook quickly, without having to take the end of the rod out of a tube. Great for light biters and fast feeders. The two "risers" are not glued or screwed. They pull out for packup and set up quickly on the ice. All other connections are secured into position to prevent rotation or folding.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I also prefer to have the rod horizontal over the hole. The bites register better with less line hanging up in the air to catch the breeze, etc. In fact, you can even jack up the back to lower the tip to just above the hole. Just build up a little snow berm.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The other modification is the addition of "snow spikes"...the PVC extensions. They dig into the snow to make a more solid grip. But, even on hard packed snow and ice the tripod effect makes for a more level holder. Whenever I use a wider base, or a framework of PVC resting on an uneven surface, I have trouble getting a good stable setup.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
Thank you. As you know, my previous design was quite similar to your latest. If I am right next to my rod I also prefer my rod to be horizontal in my rod holder. However, on several occasions, I have had my rod almost go down the hole when an aggressive fish has hit; especially, if I am a few feet away at the time. The new design results in a little less sensitivity at the rod tip; however, the chances of the rod being pulled down the hole is greatly reduced. The rod easily slips out of the holder and if I choose to I can just leave the rod holder temporarily attached during a quick hook set. If desired, I can change the angle of the rod to almost horizontal by propping up the back of the holder a little with ice shavings or snow. My prior design had feet and I will be adding them to these new ones also. Feet definitely add stability to the holder, help in keeping it level on the ice and assist in preventing it from sliding towards the hole when a fish bites. That said, I have only used this new design once and I may decide, after a few more trips, to go back to a level-rod design.
[signature]
[cool][#0000ff]Just goes to show ya that there is no universal system for anything in fishing. Everybody has their own personal styles and preferences. And, there is no setup that works 100 % effectively for all conditions and situations.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One thought I have been running through my planning receptors is the use of some kind of short metal spikes...for ice conditions. You could drill holes in the PVC ends, to receive the spikes when needed and then just carry them for hard surface situations.[/#0000ff]

[#0000ff]Another "modular" addon might be a loop with a weight...a heavier counterbalance...to add to the end of the rod handle for those times when you are not right next to the rod and fear having it pulled down the hole by a biggun. A few ounces added to the very end of the rod would greatly increase the amount of pull necessary to lever the rod up and into the water. And something on a loop would slide off or fall off easily on the hookset.[/#0000ff]

[#0000ff]I have a couple of other potential designs kicking around in the back of the PVC lobe of my brain. I will be experimenting further on the next hard deck season.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
I can provide what you are askin' for - since I joined in on this trip and snapped a few shots. [Image: smile.gif]

There were several firsts for me this trip. I'd never fished the Berry in Winter. And I just had to see this deep ice that was still up there while I was wearing shorts at my boys' soccer games in the Valley. I was astonished that the ice was totally solid even on the edges - at first light - but what a difference a day makes.

We arrived not to much later than Kent to see him in action. My bro and I joined him with fish on very soon.
[inline KentBendo.jpg]

Those that know me understand that I'd rather be beaten that get up before light, but I'll do what I gotta do to learn what I don't as yet know from folk more experienced than myself.

Another first for me was actually catching fish that early! I'll tip a respectful hat to those with experiences different than my own, but until now I've been on the ice at 0'dark30 AM and each time the fish joined us after 9 or 10 am! [Wink]

[inline cut1.jpg]

This was the first time my bro caught something this size on ice - so he was pretty darn happy to get on fish! [cool]

It was quite at windstorm going on at my place as I headed up the canyon - but there was nary a breeze on the lake. It was so warm that I don't recall even putting my gloves on. And by the time the sun got straight over our heads - the ice became what I expected in the first place - a whole lotta slush.

(BTW: Kent was so kind to let us use his power agar! [Image: smile.gif]) Fortunately, the knowledge of that deep ice was what kept us feeling secure. Because when we left in the afternoon it gave us the heebie jeebies to have the ice give way to the slush as we walked - not to mention a jar on the back to not know what footstep might mean getting wet up to our knees! [:p]

[inline Meltin.jpg]

We didn't see another fisherman all day. And if you can tell by this image, there was a whole lotta meltin' going on, and it taught me just how fast a lake could open up.

I can't say if there's been a hard freeze again, but I wouldn't venture out to the Berry again without a rubber float tube around my waist and helicopter support to get me back to my car! [laugh]

Bummer that we didn't catch more fish, but it wasn't for lack of trying and moving around. I stuck it out hoping for just one more so I could do on o' my photoshop "fish stories ala Roghet," but it was not to be.

It was a slow day my some standards, but by brother called it a fantastic day. And, I'm not one to not have appreciation. My previous record at the Berry was 4 fish. This time I caught 5. Hey, it's progress. But that's an invitation and a challenge to someone else to get me and my boy on one o' them "30 fish days." [Wink]
[signature]