02-18-2024, 05:08 AM
Yup, another Rockport trip..took my granddaughter this time, so we were prepared to head over to Strawberry if things didn't look/feel right..got to parking area 0830, which was full, so parked on ditch side of highway..lots of fishers already on ice, but we still wore life jackets hiking out to our spot at 48FOW, and with ice probe to check in front while walking..drilled, 'saw' fish right away, so set tent..perch action very good right away, for an hour, then slowed down, but still good off and on as they moved and came back... mealworm very good again, as was eyeball and scented cut perch meat, best on 'wonderbread' pattern small white jigs...average kept were 8 to 9", but several 9.5, and 3 jumbo 11"ers, of which 2 were caught by granddaughter..she caught 2 doz by herself, and we both were able to release some..when we left at 1230, there were still close to 100 people scattered, mostly the So. end..ice was solid, but only about 4 to 4.5" thick..and I think the new 3" snow layer on top of that was helping keep it hard..at least for now...I can say that the fishing was great for us, and the ice was ok also, but I certainly wouldn't say that anyone else should, or shouldn't go, based on the thickness of ice..solid now, but who knows..we've had some cold nites..9* at 0830, and that helped..Now it's go at your risk, and Be Prepared if you do go...Guluk..