LM Bass thru the ice?

[FLAG!!]

Anyone ever go out and specifically target largemouth bass thru the ice? I have never but some guys near me last late ice were hammering them on rods and tip ups and it looked like a blast. Looked like small shiners on tip ups, but couldn't tell.

We've caught a few thru the ice over the years on traditionally good summer bass lakes (big marine, etc) but never more than one or two.

Thoughts? Any rhyme or reason or do you think it's more of randomly stumbling in to them when targeting pike?

Thanks and happy turkey day!

[herefish101]

It really helps to fish them in lakes with healthy populations, then exactly as you posted..... Fish like your going for pike just use a little smaller bait, and get on top of some structure. I had tons of fun last year chasing flags... Give it a shot...

[Steve Foss]

I fished for them and pike in the same outings with tip-ups on the Gordon Flowage in NW Wisconsin. About half pike, half bass, and the bass ran to 5-6 pounds. Either 4-5 inch live shiners or dead smelt or cisco. The bass hit them all, big or small!

[Jeremy airjer W]

I run into them while pan fishing. They are a whole lot of fun when you have a nice one on an ultra light. No matter how many times it happens my eyes just about pop out of my head when I see the mouth come up through the hole.

Down sizing bait is key when using tip ups. You will know when a school comes in when flags start going up like crazy.

[PerchJerker]

I've never had much luck for bass on the ice. I don't target bass and I don't use tip-ups and live bait very often, so maybe that has something to do with it???? I run into a few bass here and there ice fishing for panfish but that's about it

[jwmiller33]

I have never specifically targeted bass thru the ice, but last winter I pulled a few dandy LM bass up while I was targeting panfish.

I got these two fish a couple hrs apart on a small private lake in the Brainerd area using a Northland forage minnow and euro larva.... They were an absolutely blast reeling in on my ultralight

[Jim Hudson]

Always best early and late ice - especially on weedline areas. Jigging wise, panfish lures usually equate to the best success.

[FLAG!!]

Beautiful fish jake, would love to run into a few of those like you said and thanks for the feedback guys. Fun to think about while it's 51 degrees outside.