By Troy Peterson - “Mr. Bluegill”

The lakes and ponds still have open water but the temperatures are colder than a late December day. Most people would never think of fishing bluegills on days like that in a boat or even off shore but are out there on the frozen water with even colder temperatures every chance they get. The transition from open water to first ice can be as short as a few days. What changes in those few days that the fish all of a sudden appear at first ice? Absolutely nothing! Those fish have always been there but have not had anybody fishing them. However, as soon as there is ice just thick enough to walk on, fisherman flock to the spots with only a bucket, a hand auger and their fishing poles only to sit out in freezing temperatures to fish down a six inch hole. What is the difference between that and sitting on a bucket on the shoreline or in a nice padded boat seat? Why not fish those spots before the ice forms and pressure from other ice fisherman drives those fish out? It’s a little more difficult but something anyone can figure out very easily.

The most important factor in fishing just before the ice forms is to use the same type of technique as if you were fishing through the ice. STAY LIGHT! Some fisherman practice this all summer and excel over the other anglers that bring out the walleye gear for the bluegills. Everything that you put on your poles for icefishing can be put on an open water pole as well. Start with a 6-7 foot ultra-light rod with a very fast tip. This will allow you to cast the small tackle longer distances. The reel should be a small spinning reel spooled with 2-4 lb. test line, preferably 2 lb.. In most cases you should be fishing in water no deeper than 4-6 ft. so slip bobber is not needed. Small floats like the Thill Mini-Stealth work best and have very little resistance for the light biting bluegills. The fish are still going to be a little aggressive so you can get away with some larger profile jigs. The Demons, Ratsos or Shrimpos are all great choices for this time of year. Tie one of these jigs below the float without adding any additional split shot. The only thing that is left is the bait. Spikes or waxworms should be available at most bait shops this time of year or you can find some online bait stores that will deliver fresh bait to your door overnight.

Finding the location of these late season fish is quite simple. Think about where everyone starts fishing as soon as the ice forms. Those fish move in to the shallow areas of weeded bays and channels usually about a month or two before the ice forms. A good idea is to take the boat into the area where you will be fishing and look for larger pockets inside the weeds; if a boat is not available; wading with waders is another great way to sneak up on the fish. These spots are not only where you want to fish now, it is a good idea to mark those pockets of weeds either with a gps or mentally so you can come back to them once the ice has formed. Unlike the normal early morning bite, fishing usually gets better as the day progresses and tends to be the best in the late afternoon due to the water warming up from the sun. The little bit that the water warms up is enough to speed up the metabolism of the fish creating them to feed more.

To catch these fish you must think as if you are fishing down a hole. It is important to try and keep the bait directly below the float, yet twitching it ever so slightly to attract the fish. This takes a little practice but can be mastered by anyone. There is no special way to twitch the bait so don’t be afraid to try any speed or the amount of movement you make. Just remember to try and simulate a jig as if you were ice fishing. If the spinning rod is not working out for you try using a cane pole set up in the same fashion as the spinning rod was. With the cane pole you can set your bait exactly where you want it and almost jig it as if you were sitting on a bucked with an ice fishing pole.

Don’t worry, ice will be here soon enough. To calm the nerves a little try a little fishing before the ice forms. The positive sides of fishing like this in not having to listen to ice augers all day or having anyone else fish out of your holes! The fish are there for the taking and with a little hard water strategies can be caught before any of the ice fisherman ever show up. Stay light, stay shallow and stay on top of the fish! Once ice has formed you will already know what those fish want and have the edge over the oncoming ice fisherman.
 

Good Ice'n

Mr.Bluegill