MJL Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 After an incredible fall of steelhead fishing, there was one itch that needed to be scratched...Ice fishing Lakers! This weekend I made my first trip onto the ice for the elusive char (at least for me). The last 2 yrs I’ll admit that I really did want to bash my head in for all those times I skunked – When you skunk 10 times in a row, or battle the elements sitting on a bucket outside, or wonder why are all those hundreds of fish on the fish finder won’t bite my bait? It really makes you think, “why the heck am I out here?” As sick (and sad) as it may sound, the past month when I wasn’t fishing, at work, or studying for one small financial exam, it was spent with an ice rod in hand on the couch in front of the TV (mostly watching the food network). I was visualizing the laker chase and practicing my ‘twitch’ and ‘craaaaaaank’ techniques. It definitely paid off Saturday morning 4am, with ice tackle packed in the car, EC1, Frozen-Fire and I made our way to the frozen hunting grounds of the lake trout. The early departure time was mostly for a hearty breakfast and some strategizing at Timmy’s.LOL During a beautiful sunrise, EC1 got into the first fish of the morning (didn’t take any pics – it was a big one). 10 minutes later, I see a line on the fish finder racing almost vertically towards my bait. I crank the reel and the chase ensues...The ending was very sweet. I got my first laker of 2012 – I also Christened my new Daiwa spinning reel too After I release that fish down the hole, I drop my bait down and see another line on the sonar rocket up from 110ft to meet my lure at 40ft...The 2 lines on the fish finder met and for a few seconds the one line was just suspended there not really doing anything ...Not knowing what happened, I just reeled up and low and behold, there was a fish! Back to back lakers – Never in my life would I ever expect that. I never caught more than 2 big lakers in one season...My expectations for success when it comes to ice fishing are extremely low.LOL Action was fairly consistent despite the growing number of people congregating around me. I saw plenty of fish on the fish finder and lost a few too. Out of everything, dealing with the sonar interference from other units was my only complaint which was easily solved my just moving away from the crowd. Got into some smaller fish with missing fins (pectoral or adipose). At the end of the day, EC1 packed up his Clam popup hut along with his stove and fishing tackle...Frozen-Fire was helping him...I asked how long it would take to pack up. EC1 said it might take 15mins. Since they didn’t need my help, I grabbed a rod and found an open hole Frozen-Fire made earlier in the day. Dropped my bait down, jigged it a bit, saw a fish racing up to it and I cranked my reel like mad...The fish took it and I hooked it! So far, that was the only time I wish I had a more powerful rod...The fish ran like a demon possessed in all directions under the ice. It’s amazing (and somewhat scary) to see a huge fish gyrating beneath your feet through the ice Turned out to be my PB laker through the ice...Possibly my biggest lake trout ever . Took a couple quick pics and slid it back down the hole...The people in the surrounding area may have heard a small celebration from us With the action I had on Saturday, I was willing to go back for another round on Sunday...Frozen-Fire wanted some redemption for skunking on Saturday...Victor wanted redemption for skunking on lakers all of last season. Sunday morning it was the same deal of an early, but very filling breakfast. It didn’t take too long to hook up once we were set up...I hooked up first and within seconds, so did Vic . Ended up with a double header . Big congrats to Vic on his first ever laker Frozen-Fire did manage to catch one laker as well, finding some solace that he didn't totally suck this weekend. He however was not impressed when I hooked a laker from his hole with his rod and lure.LOL Sunday was nothing like Saturday. The fish finder screen was mostly blank with only some fish showing minor interest (possibly whitefish?). I moved around a lot and even ran a 2nd line with a live minnow on the end but nothing came to fruition. We spent the afternoon fishing for small anorexic perch close to shore before packing it in.LOL Still one of the most amazing weekends I’ve ever had since I started ice fishing...If you had asked me what I thought about ice fishing 2yrs ago, I probably wouldn’t have given it a 2nd thought...I have to thank fellow OFNer, JET for getting me into it and teaching me the ways of the laker chase before he moved to BC Hope you enjoyed Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danc Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Simply awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Caster Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Nice PB!!! Fantastic fish and I bet you'll be thinking about that double header for a few nights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Days like that are the reason we endure the skunks. Beautiful fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frozen-fire Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) If I skunked again on Sunday, I might've given up for good! A few quick pics before sliding it back down the hole: And yes, I was very glad that you lost that laker at the end with my rod and my hole LOL. Edited February 7, 2012 by frozen-fire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigugli Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Looks like Saturday was the day. Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Is King Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Well done guys! Looks like a great trip! Congrats on the PB!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jet Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Totally awesome stuff Mike! It's funny how bad days motivate us to go back just as much as good days. And what a payday you earned for yourself! I'm sure those sonar chases are still replaying in your head. There's really nothing like it. Now wouldn't it have been so awesome to capture that PB tank battle on video???? I'm sure Ant has heard enough of me harassing him to capture it all on video. I need something to watch while passing the time out here in BC!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spincast Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Congrats on your PB - some nice fish there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) Mike, that WAS the pose I saw! I should have come over and introduced myself! Good job bud, you had those lakers dialed in for sure. I saw that guy in the blue come over and take a peak after you landed your 2nd fish :) Edited February 7, 2012 by BillM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12footspringbok Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Nice work guys! I think I may have been parked next to you guys sunday morning. Action was insane until about 9 then there were quite a few lulls but still some fish coming through. A side note... I can't help but think that access will be the next crossed off the list to non-residents after the lack of respect for peoples property I saw when leaving sunday... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Well done boys! I'm jealous . The Laker gods were certainly with you. Thanks for the read. Gheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Great report Mike and company. I'm not the least bit jealous but I'm 100% envious. You work at it, you deserve it and then some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirCranksalot Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Pls post the GPS co-ords so I can go catch some!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Pls post the GPS co-ords so I can go catch some!! Follow the crowds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EC1 Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 I wanna know why all these pictures with the background shows NO ONE ELSE on the ice. I really felt uncomfortably close to other people that other day... But all in all, great weekend. Definitely my best week of fishing I've had on Simcoe in my life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adempsey Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Sounds like a good weekend to me! Hoping to get out there myself soon! Thanks for posting the report. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 I wanna know why all these pictures with the background shows NO ONE ELSE on the ice. I really felt uncomfortably close to other people that other day... Content Aware in Photoshop can do some amazing things! Trust me, there were probably 300 people out that day, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
young_one Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 simply awesome! where is my invite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Good shooting guys!!!! Great report and the smiles say it all! thanks for posting! HH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiel Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 simply awesome! where is my invite. .... and mine. Good going guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 it surely was an unforgettable day. Can't wait to go back for more!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigger Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 From skunk to champ! Better than any day on the ice ive ever been part of. Some sweet lakers, sounds like you put in some quality time to figure them out. Congrats, well deserved! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctranter Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 Looking good Mike! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trapshooter Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 First of all, awesome lakers! Secondly, I absolutely love your enthusiasm! Your success is well deserved, congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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