Kicking off the season with some first ice Splake

[S.M.05]

There are a few lakes I know well enough to feel comfortable fishing early ice. I decided to start off this season on

one of them fishing for some first ice splake.

 

Loaded up the gear last night to ensure a quick departure for this today's adventure.

I spent the early morning driving through a tunnel of snow in the headlights that seemed to be sucking me in like some

type of tractor beam until I finally arrived in gods country.

 

 

The hike in for first ice trout always has me pumped.

 

 

Got to the lake and noticed the usual wet spots (springs)

 

 

After punching a few holes with the spud and finding 4-5 inches of ice it was game on

 

 

Time to spoon feed these suckas

 

 

The trout were on! Caught a least 15 but no matter how many I released I just couldn't get that upgrade I was after so I kept these 5 cookie cutters and called it a day.

 

 

It sure felt good to be out on the ice again.

 

Tight lines and be safe out there.

 

Note: Most of the lakes I drove by were still not ready with all the snow we had, but this area really didn't get much snow until today.

[Joeytier]

Great stuff. What type of spoon is that?

[S.M.05]

Not sure the name. I picked it up some years ago and switched out the hook with something a little more fancy.

 

Wish I could find more cause the trout luv them.

[Sinker]

Its nice to make the first tracks into a spot like that. Looks like a great day!

 

S.

[cram]

Looks like a perfect day. Awesome.

[jbailey]

wicked, i can't wait

[davey buoy]

Nice catch,Were you running the spoon as is?, or tipping it with a minnow or something else ?.

[fishindevil]

It's awesome when a fishing plan comes together !!! Some nice fish for sure !!!! First ice was always my fav time as well !!! Tight-lines

[chris.brock]

great report, 15+ fish is steady action,

I have an old pike spoon I love and they don't make anymore, it sucks when that happens

[manitoubass2]

Holy calamity scream insanity!!! Wicked neeeeiiiice fish/report!!!

[Jds63]

thanks for that report ....

my favorite time of year handsdown ... can't wait

[Fang]

I believe that would be an old Rebel Arrowhead spoon and it looks like you flipped it. Wide part was the original bottom. I have some old weedless ones still

 

Good spoon and hard to find

[Rod Caster]

Great report. Those first photos look awesome

[Richie Razor]

That is a pretty crazy looking spoon, I think Costco sells something similar in a set.... Nice splake - I love fishing them and of course eating them!!! Hopefully my lake is good to go soon!!!

[Gnote]

Nice fish man. First winter fish always feels good

[S.M.05]

I prefer minnows for my set line and tipping spoons but with the hike into this lake I took a doz. worms instead to keep the weight down.

I know worms for splake??

 

Burned through the whole doz. on the set line using only the chewed up bits for tipping my spoon.

[S.M.05]

Rebel Arrowhead spoon - Nailed it dude.

[Joeytier]

Worms are killer for splake!!

[chris.brock]

Worms are killer for splake!!

 

that's cool, I didn't know that

 

any special way to rig them?

[Joeytier]

I just hook them once on a small treble for set lines. Works great. On a lot of lakes you can ice fish them just like brookies, I find.

[limeyangler]

DROOOOOLING!

[Moosebunk]

Ahhhhh geeeeeeezus Mikey.

 

 

Always crackin' 'em good before anyone else.

[Freshtrax]

I might come up near you for New Years again.

[fishnsled]

Now where is all my ice fishing stuff?? Time to get organized. Great report!!