It's not all fun and games

[DTro]

I've come to realize there are two types of Ice Fishing:

1. Fun Social Ice Fishing

2. Get out there and work at finding some fish Ice Fishing (most times fun, other times frusterating)

On a quest for solitude+fish, last night I found myself crashing through head high cattails, shoulders loaded with gear, bucket in one hand, Nils in the other.

Unknown lakes with zero foot traffic are a very high risk/reward type of deal. I was in high hopes of making a Backwoods Bull Bluegills post, or a Crashing through the Cattails Crappies story.

The high risk nailed me in the behind and was only able to find 5ft of water.

But now I know I can cross that spot off my list.

The quest will continue....

So since we are on the subject. What do you prefer? Getting at it and moving around to find some fish, even if that means maybe not catching anything.

Or do you prefer the social aspect of the shantytown and catching what fish might move through.

I guess I prefer the solitude and getting away from the crowd with a few gatherings mixed in.

[Sandmannd]

I guess I like both. I love the FM get togethers and meeting folks. But times I like to get out with a buddy and hole hop till we find some fish. I don't get a lot of time to fish so it's hard to put the time in on just searching new lakes.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Darrin, I guess it really depends on the mood I'm in.

I very much enjoy the solitude of just myself on a bucket catching fish, stopping to smell the roses, and being outdoors and not at work. You are absolutely right, the risk/reward factor is huge. It's work, it's a lot of work, but once you find active fish it's very much worth it.

On the other hand, there are days the Mrs and I go out in my perm house and just enjoy spending time together and with friends that come out. We leave all bad vibes on shore, no worries, no work, just fun times with the fellas and their ladies. These times the fishing comes second to the friendship and laughter.

So, to answer your question of do I like the solitude or the social aspect???? Yes.

[CNCMike]

I personally prefer the solitude and the adventure of new lakes. The closest I come to fishing in Shantytown is when I go with my dad or my fishin buddy Jay. And even then we generally go where no one else is.

Ultimately, I prefer "Getting at it and moving around to find some fish, even if that means maybe not catching anything."

[anyfishwilldo]

I love the solitude, but I think even more, I love taking my 3 daughters out fishing. It is definately more work than hole-hopping, and trying to find fish. They get to reap the rewards of my previous hard work. They are 10, 6 and 3 so they just want to catch, not find. Usually, I don't even get to put a line of my own in the water. IMO, its worth it!

[Duffman]

I hear ya dtro, I also put the hard water fishing into two different categories; serious and social.

Social fishing is where I don't really care if I catch a fish, I'm usually there to enjoy the comraderie of friends, and put some newbies on some fish. This usually involves fishing where there are others, where people are tossing a football, or iceskating, or just having a good time on the ice. It's fun watching people have a good time out there.

Now when it comes to serious fishing, I do my homework and find a spot where I have a good chance at getting quality fish with hopefully not another soul in sight. I enjoy my alone time in my solo, this is the time to catch fish, I don't want to talk to or see another person. There are times when I'll do some searching, but I prefer to hopefully have set up in the right spot the first time.

If it's super serious fishing, I'll break out the Pak Shack and try to hit a lake I don't think has been fished yet this year. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes it's a lot of work for nothing except some new knowledge - as in "I'm never coming here again"

[metrojoe]

A buddy and I spent a day last winter puddle jumping. It was a lot of fun getting out and investigating these small lakes that next to nobody fishes. I honsestly couldn't see doing this every weekend throughout the hardwater season, but a day or two is alright.

[Shack]

 Originally Posted By: dtro

I guess I prefer the solitude and getting away from the crowd with a few gatherings mixed in.

I go on solo runs more often than not, but having someone with you to share in the "hot bite" is needed at times. If I am alone and fish start biting, I am on the cell phone with my buddies right away, in hopes one of them might make a run out.

When it comes down to a "get together" or a "shanty town", it would depend on the people. This ice season, I have not made it out on my solo runs as much as I have in past years, due to a major home project I have going right now. I have cleared the calendar for the FM kid’s event and Cool Cats and I am looking forward, no busting at seams to go to these events. I would also like to make it to at least one Metro event also. More so for the fact of meeting fellow F.M.'ers, than catching fish. Heck, the polls could stay home for all that matters. Catching fish would just be an added bonus. I guess I do not expect to catch much at a big event (large ice fishing contest’s included), its more for the fun. Solo or in tandem runs, fishing and relocating are first on the list. Whether in a shanty town or in the middle of no where’s vill.

[Northlander]

The older I get the less search and destroy I do. Still do a fair share and some of my best spots were found this way. These days it seems like I like to hit reliable spots and set up and make small in the area moves rather than moving to another lake or side of the lake. Now if I had a snowmobile I would be more willing to hop around.

I also see myself doing more socializing during and especially after a outing by BSing at landings, pubs or resorts.

Man Im getting old.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I guess for me it depends on the people I'm fishing with. I've got some buddies where we'll go out and fish real hard and hope to fill a bucket. I've got other buddies where we'll go out and fill a bucket with empties. Either one is fine with me.

[juggs]

I don't know if I would even ice fish if I had to sit in one spot all day. To me the most fun in fishing is putting the pieces together and making it work. It's great to get out with the guys but you still don't have to be stagnant. Case in point, last weekend we had a bunch of guys together but moving around within an isolated area to find the fish. We did and hit the jackpot.

[Fish&Fowl]

Definitely prefer getting away from the crowds, even if where they are is almost a guarantee of catching fish. I don't like fishing next to people I don't know, and to me half the fun of fishing is trying new spots and new techniques. This way, when someone does move in, I can keep searching for new spots and trying new things, ultimately learning as much as I can about the target species in a given lake.

I do occasionally do the social fishing, and when I do I don't care much about catching fish or taking anything too seriously.

[Seeker of Clayface]

I prefer the solo trips, although a few weekends with the Buds on LOW or Mille Lacs is a blast too.

I love the feeling of putting in the research and then striking it rich on my own little spot. Most of my friends do not have the patience for experimentation or the desire & energy to hole-hop. Which is sad because they all have the right gear & gadgets! Of course, when I'm having a good day, I feel the need to make a few phone calls, to rub it in a little. "Hey, guess what I'm doing right now". Hehe.

[sjburnt]

.

[federline]

I need to have all kinds:

- solitude-seeking perm shack fishing: I know I'm recharged when time stops mattering, usually the next day after a night in the shack.

- solitude-seeking hunt-n-hole-hop: figuring it out on my own and expanding my comfort zone

- social perm shack sitting: usually the convergence of multiple guys who just need to get away with buddies, fish become a bonus

- the social hunt-n-hole-hop: divide and conquer! This can be extremely fun when you get multiple heads trying to figure out a lake - rewards can be great!

Take away any of it, and it's not as fun anymore.

[fishinJohn]

I had a good laugh over the cattail crash. I have gone to a popular spot once this year and caught fish right away and non-stop until I left. I will only go back if I am very frustrated with many failed attempts to find fish. Yesterday I drilled holes over 25% of a small lake that should have been loaded with bluegills but I did not even mark a fish! Fun using the auger though I guess I pick a lake that has the population of fish I want to target, knowing the time of day I will be fishing and considering ice conditions how deep do I want to fish or what would be good structure to work? Which area will be easier to access if snow is deep? I head out and if people are there so be it as long as I can find a spot without intruding. Sometimes I go with a plan b if it looks too crowded. Usually this isn't a problem because I chose a bad spot and there aren't any fish.

[Papa Grump]

Darren- I sure wouldn't mind crashing some more cattails at the other lake we came across last night.

[hanson]

Its all about trying something new man!

You fish long enough and often enough, you have to challenge yourself to become a better fisherman and keep things interesting. Whether thats a new species, new lake, new lure, or whatever. Thats really what I find fun about fishing is experimenting, and maybe thats why I find the river so much fun to fish. Just when you think you have it dialed in, she throws a curve at you and it is back to square one.

So you tried a new lake and struck out. Keep doing that and you'll stumble into the honey hole of honey holes and you did it all by yourself. No baitshop help, no forum help, no fishing report help. Its just you vs. the lake and hopefully some fish too!

[Squirtis]

Hanson,

Very well said. I was talking to a friend today about this bery thing. It is a great challenge and can be very rewarding.

All the Best,

Curtis

[kwiggy]

 Originally Posted By: anyfishwilldo

I love the solitude, but I think even more, I love taking my 3 daughters out fishing. It is definately more work than hole-hopping, and trying to find fish. They get to reap the rewards of my previous hard work. They are 10, 6 and 3 so they just want to catch, not find. Usually, I don't even get to put a line of my own in the water. IMO, its worth it!

I can relate to this post. I absolutely love taking my kids out fishing. While it amounts to killer work and little fishing for me, when they pull a jumbo perch through the whole and want to watch me take the hook out, or when we release the little ones and they holler "Go get your big brother!"... I can't help but chuckle.

I wonder how many other people get the awesome experience of hearing a squeaky child's voice yell, "Fish On!"

Or, when a 2 lb northern is lost at the hole and the tears start to flow, it reminds me of how I felt when I was a kid and a 2 lb northern was an absolute MONSTER!

What this post simply brings to our attention is that there are many ways to enjoy ice fishing and they can all be fun.

[minnbowhunter]

Your post reminded me of a conversation I had with my dad last deer season. It went like this...If God told you that you would not shoot a deer this year, in fact you will not even see a deer, would you still hunt? We both agreed that of course we would be in the woods come opening morning and hunt hard just like we always do. Its not about the deer/fish. Its more that we need to be there to sit alone at times, and to enjoy each other's company at other times. We need this time to slow down our lives and create memories that we can talk about later when the fishing is slow. I was fishing with my son last weekend and it was real slow going, Few fish and fewer keepers. My son looks at me and says "Hey Oldman remember that trip to Red when we drove 6 hrs and got our limit in 20 minutes. It's all about the memories.

[DTro]

 Originally Posted By: Papa Grump

Darren- I sure wouldn't mind crashing some more cattails at the other lake we came across last night.

Let's do it on Sunday.....I'll give you a call