Hole hopping strategy

[walleyeslammer]

I love to hole hop and I feel I am at least marginally proficient at it, but there's one thing that I always go back and forth on. That is when it comes to cutting holes. Do most of you go out and cut 10-20 holes and then fish them or do more of a dig as you go approach. I go back and forth and I just can't decide what's best. Just looking for some opinions.

[muc33]

dependant on if you are running on a weed bed, or shelf... We either make a line and start at one end and keep in line, or a circle and make the loop!

[Eric Wettschreck]

First we dig, then we fish.

Drill em all first. That way things get a bit of a chance to settle down under the ice without the racket. Also, if you're following a school as they move you will want to fish and not drill.

[erickol]

I'll start by drilling a [PoorWordUsage] load. then follow with the flasher. If the flasher is showing me what I want, I'll grab a rod or two and follow the feature(s). tonight I only punched maybe 25 holes, in two main "routes", one giant "L" , and one zigzag paralleling a weed line.

[Finlander]

I like drilling a big circle. Start shallow then arc around to deeper then back to shallow! 10 holes.

[WallyGader]

I like drilling a min. of 10 holes before fishing. But before I drill any holes I run around with my fl20 and a squirt bottle and check depths.

[Borch]

I drill from 20-50 depending on where I'm fisihing. If I'm by myeself it's a drill and then fish. If I'm teaming up I drill and others check with electronics and quickly drop a bait to see if anything shows or bites.

[Fredd]

I'll drill up to ten at a time when I'm by myself. Today I nailed crappies 2 minutes after drilling a hole only twenty feet down the weedline in 16 feet of water, so they didn't seem too spooked.

[mr_jman]

I do the same as Borch but usually drill about 10 at a time. I like the zig zag pattern. If I get a few hot holes I may punch a few more in the immediate area to get a few more cracks at them! Having 2 people helps a LOT when searching... one can drill and one fishes or marks depths in the snow for future reference!

[zamboni]

I set my stuff down, and drill my first hole, then start drilling others in either a straight line or a half circle pattern. Then go back to the gear and grab the MarCum and starting with first hole stick transducer in and go from there. I drag my stuff behind me as I go in case I find fish I can quick setup

[Deitz Dittrich]

I'm a dig then fish guy as well...

[backlash 1]

After you guys have the holes drilled, what are your 2 most productive search lures for checking out these holes? (for panfish).

[Fredd]

I like to use Bro bugs or fat boys. Something on the heavy side. No fish on the locator, might not even get the line wet.

[Ruegs23]

I like to drill in a zig zag pattern. Maybe ten holes, depends how big of any area I am covering. Then I go back to my sled, grab the fl20 and a rod and start checking the holes. If no fish on the vex, I keep moving. If it is an area that I know generally holds fish, I might wet the line before I see a fish on the vex.

[jigging-matt]

I like to drill a bunch of holes then fish also. Usually set up once we find fish, then do a pattern, usually a circle around the house. That way if the fishing is slow inside the house you go for a walk, when you get cold you come back to the house to warm up and try inside for a little bit.

[Northlander]

I drill a bunch then fish them. Unless there are people around then I either drill 4 or 5 close and fish or go elsewhere. I hate drilling holes to have others come along and pull fish out of them.