So, who has a plan when going ice fishing?

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Just wondering about those who make a plan and have gps points or other spots that they plan on going to or hitting on the lake before they leave.

Also, how many of you stick to the plan or throw it out the window once you get to the lake.

[mww24]

My plan is to stay as far away from the crowds as possible. I dont have a gps but i fish a lot of the lakes in the summer and winter so i have spots that i can find via shoreline references. early ice i fish a little more by the crowds as a safety precaution but after that i try and spread out.

[noodlerod]

My plan is to stay as far away from the crowds as possible.

EXACTLY

[harvey lee]

I have spots that have worked for many outing and have them saved on my gps.

If I get therte and it has others there or I get crowded out as some can do, then I look at my lake map and go scouting as I may find another sweet spot.

With that said, if I get near a spot I like and others are close, I will not go there as so many will move on top of one if they see you catch fish. I do not throw my fish in the tub if I am using the portable as the fish flop and others know you are catching fish and then one has close neighbor's.

[SFC]

I have a general idea of where Iam going to fish, dont like people in general, so I stay away from crowds. Wouldnt even consider moving in on someone who is catching fish. I go to my next spot and hope to find my own fish. People move in on you no matter if you are catching fish or not.

[Toba]

I start with a plan while looking at my lake map book, and once I get to the lake and see what is going on plan changes every time. It's fun to catch fish in the regular old sports but it's more fun to search them out.

[g_anoka]

I always start the day with some type of plan in mind. This plan could be based on past experience, lake maps, or tips from buddies. Of course crowds, or the fish themselves can cause the plan to be altered.

[simple1]

i have a lot of spots in mind that i like to try. I stay away from crowds also and have found it to be a better option many times. Staying away from crowds has also forced me to try new areas that i did not think would hold fish. Also, i have spots marked on my GPS that did not hold any fish during the hot summer days that I will be giving a shot this Thursday(depending on ice conditions). And finally, people tend to think that the crowds are where the fish are at, except most times its one guy shows up, drills a hole and others congregate to him thinking he found the hot bite or knows what he's doing.

Simple1

[reinhard1]

my plan is to enjoy the day. i have fished many lakes and narrow my choices on hard water. i usualy go to the same spots all the time. where i have had success in the past is where i drill my holes. i move around some but that is because there is usualy more than one spot that i have had success at. there is always a plan to get some fish, but when i get some it's a bonus of enjoying the day outdoors. good luck.

[dishman]

If fishing a go to lake that I know well I usually will fish familiar spots first never spending too much time in one spot until I mark fish. Then starts the fun. I get caught up in fishing spots by memories instead of really thinking about conditions, time of year and such. I have wasted more time fishing a spot because we did great in this spot last year or last week instead of really using my head and thinking things through. The brain is a great thing but for some reason its human nature to want to hang around and pound a spot where you have had good memories even though you may have done well in this spot one out of ten times.

If fishing a lake new to me I will sit down the night before and use my lake mapping software on my computer. It much easier to sit down and look at a lake on a 20" monitor than on my H2O. Ill maybe mark ten waypoints that I want to fish and load them into my H20. That way your not wasting time on the ice trying to find waypoints with a 3" screen.

Dishman

[gurkster]

I usually have a few spots in mind and hit them first, but I also keep an open mind and adjust as I feel is needed. Weather, pressure, etc.

[Chris Barlage]

Always have a plan before I hit the lake. Summer or winter. I give my self a few options and try to stick to the best I can.

[Tipupdown]

Hmm.... How is it that everyone likes to be away from people but yet we still have crowds!!

For me i usually make the plans as i go.. Lots a variables to change plans, snow, eves, people/crowds, wind, etc... I do have a tendancy to keep revolving around areas i have done well in the past with once in a while trying a new spot here and there!

[amateurfishing]

i always have a plan...to catch fish, doesnt always work out though.

[leech~~]

Like many have said, start with a plan and adjust, adjust, adjust! Some of my best spots have come out of adjustments!

[Crappiechopper]

I do generally have a plan when I head out but will adjust accordingly. While I usually avoid crowds, sometimes they can't be avoided. Most of those times it seems that people fish where others are but still don't have a clue. I have come out of the portable after a good day or night and have some of the people around me not do as well and move, which is fine with me.

If none of us seem to like crowds, they can best be avoided by not putting alot of detail in our posts in online forums. Last year I saw several good spots get pounded because of posts online having to much information.