First Out - Mantua 12/29

[CoyoteSpinner]

Finally got a chance to hit the hard-deck, so I was at it bright and early. Well, it was still bright when I went out. Actually made an afternoon trip out of it.
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Slipped and slid my way out the icy path toward the knoll, stopped along the way - camped out in 15 feet of water for a time, but - alas, the finder was showing scarce movement, so - I made some. Poked a few holes westward where signs of activity showed - nothing, so I rolled on to nose up to the Knoll. Thought I'd aim more for the drop from shore. Good plan - a few shadows appears, then more blips and arcs.
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Bobbers started bobbing, I started whiffing. Gotta get the timing back. Soon iced a fat Gill, then another, and a couple more, plus a feisty perch that grabbed and ran. Came in waves, but it was busy busy at times.
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Things mellowed, I poked a few holes even closer to shore, but ghosttown there. For the next couple hours I got pestered by a LOT of 4" class Gills. Finicky little bites, almost have to predict the hookset. I threw back twice as many as I kept, small perchies too. Then one slimy trout made an appearance.
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I wasn't last on the ice, but not far from it. Good day out, nice start to the ice season.

[bornfishin]

Thanks for the report good job finding the slab gills.
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[SkunkedAgain]

Nice Yote, looks like you haven't lost your touch... Good job... J
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[CoyoteSpinner]

It's like falling off a bike, . . . onto a log, . . . and then into the river, and . . .

Mighta thought I was flying a kite in a tornado for all the whiffs, swings, and misses - and so many 'tap taps' that were missed. For a time I just kept re-baiting to be robbed.

Never did drop the camera down. Woulda been a good day for it once I popped the tent.

Most all the folks I talked to on the way out were saying "slow slow". I don't like to take anyone's word for it, I'll prove it for myself. Mostly had a green rat-finke, and a red Marmooska. Gill like the rat, Perch dig the Marmoo. Or both.

[lavaman]

Nice job..glad you could finally get out.

Glad you got into 'em. Seems like it's starting to slow a bit, from everything I've heard over the last week. (compared to mid-December).
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[Duckbutter]

Good work! I hit it for the first time Christmas Eve with my 2 and 3 year olds, my brother in law and my 14 and 9 year old nephews (all three never been on hard water). All I can say is Mantua is forgiving. I was so busy with everyone else I only fished solo for about 30 minutes and caught 1 finless freddy, but the newbies all had a blast, and they are hooked on the bluegill.

My brother in law's first gill was this toad. 9.5 inches.


Is this the new Pelican? Bigger and healthier fish. Anybody know the approximate age on these hogs? Just wondering if there may be a long lived guy that could compete for a state record in a year or two. I know they do, however, have short life spans.
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]The Utah state record bluegill came from Mantua, in 1993. The quote below is from DWR website.
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BLUEGILL 1993 2 lb 7 oz 11 1/2" 14 5/8" Jack Rask Mantua Reservoir[#0000FF]
But there have been bigger ones caught both there and at Pelican...and not recorded.
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[CoyoteSpinner]

Yeah - cuz the "almost" catch and release record doesn't count if the catcher doesn't do the releasing! And not into the grease! Teeeheee.

It is both a fertile and forgiving lake, especially with an abundance of gills. Though - as some would tell you - it gets a lot more pressure than 'back in the day'. But even so - to see such a die off of big bulls this spring, yet - it's still producing, and a strong 'teen' class coming up.

I don't know - but I'd guess a big gill like that is on order of 5 years. I've heard Perch cycle at about 4-5 years. But I'd think Gills might go longer, or should I say taller...

[lavaman]

Its because of that die-off that we're seeing bigger than avg gills this winter. Less feeding competition equals bigger Gills.
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[SkunkedAgain]

I think I resembled your swing and miss routine the other day at Hyrum. Had five hits in a row I never felt a thing. Then it left. Hard to hook those little ones. I need to get something bigger so it can take the jig. So do you want to hit the pig or Mantua? Either one is fine with me. Probably wont catch much at the pig, but who knows we might get the lucky day. Later J
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[CoyoteSpinner]

I've got New Years day off, and can't think of anything better I'd rather do than get on the ice - somewhere. I haven't tried Hyrum yet, though I'd want to take the trek further out if I go there.

I have no clue about Porky, though I'd love to try sometime - haven't heard how solid it is, usually have scary stories about the edges there.

Haven't heard any peeps of Newton - long hike down, for . . . who knows.

I'm fine with Mantua again. I'm sure it's headed into the slowdown, But I think there's still catching to be had. Matter of Lure, Location, and the Light tough - the three "Ls" []

[albinotrout]

I wanted to get out this christmas season/break with my son but we both got the gumboo this year so that is out of the question. Glad to see that you can get out at least and have a little fun.
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[SkunkedAgain]

I agree with all your analysis, I think Hyrum's fish size is really on the small side this year but there are fair numbers there. Porcupine Kokes are small but browns can be good size. Mantua is on the decline but has been nicer sized fish so its a crap shoot to me I would try any of those just tell me which one you're leaning towards because I wouldn't mind trying any of them. Later J
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