EC1

Good Choices! How much did you get the Citica for?

Glad to see you had a great time Joey! Now time to go fishing!

I'm always one that wants to try baits that no one around me will be using. (And it usually doesn't pay off, but I continue to do it ) In terms of swimbait tailed grubs, I'd look into the - Comes in a 3.8" size, smells like a squid product, and is soft as ever! - The fat version comes in a 2.8" size too! (My guess is that would be the closest size to the Gulp Shaky Shad) I don't know where to get them in Canada though. X Zone Swammer - Canadian and I've seen some pretty good results on the ice with them. Reaction Innovations Little Dipper - Looks good, I might try it next year. For normal grubs, I never really use them at all (Maybe once or twice a year) and the Yum grubs have been more than fine with me. How do you plan on rigging these through the ice? I want to try these on a scrounger head, but haven't even tried them out over softwater. If that doesn't work out, I'll be trying it on a normal jighead.

Merry Christmas to everyone here as well! Here's something I drew over the winter break for cards....Why not share it with the OFC?

Ah Will, I believe I saw 0 ice whatsoever there just days prior! It's too bad, but hopefully it melts again because softwater in the new year interests me more than ice fishing in the new year Anyways, Merry Christmas Cliff and Will! Have a great time with friends and family!

Looking good! Can't wait to drill some holes.

I still remember that last year on the 18th of December, I had already been on the ice for the very first trip, but this year's weather definitely is not cooperating as well. Instead of dreading, I decided to search out some open water to drop my canoe in. Arrived just before noon at the pike spot, and had about 3 hours worth of fishing done. Was really a bad trip at the beginning, as me and my buddy casted away for nearly 2 hours without even seeing a sign of fish. Just as we were about to call it quits, I say I'm going to switch up my spoon and make a couple more casts and I caught this guy on the very first cast of the bait change. Was great today, as this might be my last softwater trip of 2011, and I caught a fish!

Sweet, thanks for the update! Itching pretty bad for ice now!

Saw that in my inbox this morning. Lots of rods under 7' too, which is definitely a good thing. Still unsure if I even need new rods for next year though

Thanks for the update! I will be shooting for dropping my canoe in there this weekend if I find a partner!

That really stinks. Hope it wasn't too bad and you'll be able to recover your stuff! I always joke to my older peers that you don't ever want to have kids because you're making the worst mistake by bringing them into such a scary place.

Unless it's a cannon, 13 minutes is PLENTY. But come on guys, we're just beating a dead horse now. I'm pretty sure the point was made, and if he does this again, let's make sure we all jump on it. May I ask politely that one of the mods lock this up?

KVD Bass strategies has been a good read for me. Debunks fishing "myths" and gives some pretty good tips about bass. I'm not finished reading yet, but worth the 20 bucks.

So today I got to get out for the first time in quite a while with one of my very best fishing buds. He even had to play a little bit of hookey to get out. So on with the day. Knowing that the only accessible softwater for me was in the rivers, it was time to make my first trek all year to try for the fish that I never catch. He even sets my float up and lets me make a few drifts at one of his holes and nothing...But once he sets up and makes his first drift, FISH ON. Excuse the picture, there's more to hide than just the location. The day went on, and buddy lands another 1, and I finish my day with 2 chub..The best in terms of numbers I've ever had at a river! No complaints from me, as I enjoyed a beautiful day out being in only a sweater! And I probably need some practice at steelheading.

Good Luck! Just know that people that don't fish will think you're crazy! Last night, I was pulled over by a cop while driving (Because I u-turned when I saw him - I wasn't running, but turning around because of the frozen over lakes I saw) and he saw the canoe on my car and thought I was a little nuts too!

Thanks Beans. Me, being just a kid...just gets very excited the moment I am on the water (I also claim that I have a little bit of ADHD). LOL. I completely see how some people would take the calm, serene route... Maybe in my future. Thanks JDS, and Harrison!

Jealousy. I tried to go softwater fishing yesterday night, only to find everything iced over...But with our weather coming up for the rest of the week, I don't think I'll be on the ice for a long while.

Thanks everyone for the kind words! Coreyhkh, you wouldn't believe some of the things I've been told about what they thought I did. "so you just anchor there and you wait all day?!" "8 hours and you dont get bored?" "can you read a book while fishing?"

Hi all, I'd like to give a little bit of background of myself. I am a graphic design student and I was given an assignment where I had to make a small booklet that showed movement and told a story. Of course, I chose fishing since it was open topic . While given the assignment, I asked MJL specifically for a few of his underwater shots, and Sebastian Wehr of Sword Customs in Germany to send me some pictures of fishing combo art. Both of their works are absolutely stunning! BIG THANK YOU! In the end, I created a booklet that would explain to someone that doesn't fish that fishing really isn't a game of luck and waiting. I related fishing to Science, Geography, and Art. I'll let the rest of the pictures tell the story, Cheers!

It's time for the LX-7! I think it's been said many times for all sorts of different equipment, but spend as much as you can afford to on it! Any finder is better than no finder. I still use a portable Humminbird b/w that freezes when it gets too cold Lol. It doesn't feel right to fish Scugog in 8FOW without my finder now though. And for those that like those Humminbird flashers, I just always have a hard time reading a flasher where your jig goes downwards on the screen when you jig upwards. Not for me, but I bet lots of people love it.

It might also be the fact that I haven't went fishing for a couple of weeks already. Pitching a jig on tiles is the closest thing I've done to fishing so far the last while I don't know where you are posting reports, I don't remember seeing any. It might be that I haven't been on the forum much lately. There are quite a few things that do point me to think negatively of you though. I remember posts of asking about "Dunnette Landing" (A spot famous for meat hunters), questions of whether the ice has formed or thawed at specific lakes so you can cut out all the legwork. You don't even need to post a report if you don't want to. In my eyes, giving to this community is as easy as starting some thoughtful opinions, sharing your knowledge of tackle/techniques, Heck, even congratulating someone for their latest and greatest purchase!

Took me about 10 trips before I got my very first a couple years back. Haven't gotten one since. That's great you went 6 for 9. Go get them again soon!

It's not a shimano or a daiwa. No good. LOL. just kidding. These reels look good, and in my mind they will definitely be awesome, but that T3 daiwa and the Abu Garcia MGX looks much more attractive for baitcasters. If you get the T3 though, just know that leader knots don't go well when they are long enough to be inside the reel. The Abu Garcia spinning reels I couldn't tell you though. I know the pflueger president is updated and they finally tossed the wooden knob. At 69.99 I would definitely buy that first. Just my completely biased opinions. Take with caution.

Beauties Will!

Anyone ever notice that this guy only asks these touchy subjects? I'm sorry I had to say, but I feel if you want to be part of a community, it's a give and take relationship that you have to use. Go to rice lake's shore spots and try your luck there!