Catching Fish Through the Ice

Male bonding

You've done this before: spring fishing trips, deer, and turkey hunting. It's what real men do - spend a weekend away from the wives with no obligations and expectations. This time around: ice fishing.

Your buddy Angler Bob gave you directions to his favorite ice fishing spot after talking your ear off about "Sneaky Pete," the one that got away. He lent you his ice auger, and you've drilled holes through deep ice and some a few yards from a weed bed. A sled is packed with equipment and necessities, and compliments of Angler Bob, you and your buds will be sharing a group ice shelter.

Luck vs. skill

Truth be told, most feats of man against nature have left you and the guys short of the daily limits. It's a new dawn. Armed with fishing sonar & depth finder, your luck is about to change.

• The depth finder lets you see your lure and the fish that are approaching your bait.
• If you see fish approach the lure and they do not bite, rethink the bait you are using.
• Pay attention to the colors on the flasher of your depth finder. A weak green signal is a fish off to the side, a stronger yellow signal means he is closing in, and a red signal means he is directly under the hole.
• Many lines that do not move indicate weeds. Watch closely; fish could be hiding in these areas.
• That mark that's way up off the bottom of the lake: that just could be "Sneaky Pete" coming around to taunt you.

Fishing from a half-hour before sunset to dark can be a productive time, and the backlight on the fish-depth finder helps you with nighttime readings. Fluorescent bait lures curious fish to your hook. Your newfound ice-fishing skills will have you pan-frying the catch of the day by moonlight over Angler Bob's cook stove, anticipating tomorrow's successes.