After waiting around all day Saturday to have the furnace fixed, I finally made it out onto the ice for the first time this season yesterday. As this is only my 3rd year ice fishing, I must say I could get used to this December start time. In the 4 or so hours I was out, I likely had my best day on the ice. My first 2 fish landed were both keepers and they kept coming throughout the morning. Grand total was 15 keepers and at least another 30 or 40 thrown back in. At one point, I saw all the perch scatter then watched a large pike swim right below my hole, but by the time I switched to a pike bait, he was long gone. Most were caught on small Trigger-X grubs (Sail was clearing them out a while ago and I stocked up) and the rest were on a small pink jigging rap. Slab Grabbers worked too, but only on the dinks. Looking forward to going out again tomorrow.
Cook's Bay Dec 31, Happy New Year
