Scouting tips

[jvm1]

As we patiently wait, for ice I've been doing some scouting of small lakes around my house. I'm curious as to what people's preferences are and things they look for. Do you try to set up near the point or on the inside turn when spearing, Maybe your preference is the weed edge on a large straight area near a deep break where pike might be cruising through. Is there a better place than other?

[MJ1657]

In my opinion any of those options can be equally as good on any given day. 

That answer was a lot of help right.

[jvm1]

Good thing I marked all those areas on the GPS then, Let me see if I can post a pic of the map I made. It's pretty cool. 

 

[MJ1657]

I like to be right on the weed edge. Meaning one side of my hole is a wall of weeds and the other side is open. 

[jvm1]

Pic 1, what the lake looks like in the lakemaster card

Pic 2, is the 3 waypoints above WP031 in the lakemaster card

Pic 3 is the same 3 waypoints in the map I created.

 

[mwal]

JVM1

On map 3 what depth is the weed edge?  wp 108 is on a large flat at 11 foot. lots of area for the pike to roam. I like to find where the flat gets smaller a funnel area. I like to be close to the weed edge if possible like MJ1657 suggested as well. Although I have had luck just using structure to guide pike onto a flat with no weeds. Weeds seem to give a guy confidence. The pike are big time cruisers and seem fat and happy if there are weeds or not LOL

Mwal

JVM1

I really like the Navionics on my cell phone to help me on the ice. I seldom carry a handheld gps anymore. I also picked up a aqua view micro camera to see what is down there before cutting a big hole a giant time saver a must have.

 

Mwal

[jvm1]

Mwal - Weed edges are between 10-11, usually closer to the 11 foot mark. I like the navionics app too but they have the same map which is about as accurate as the data the DNR uses for their regulation's studies.

I picked up one of those cameras this off season too. Will save me some unnecessary cutting hopefully. This lake is actually 46 feet deep and has 4 very well defined points. 

[mwal]

I would check out the 2 spots on map 3 where the 12 ft is printed top and bottom of map . The top one has nice projection and inside corner. all depends on the weeds there. The bottom 12 ft is just a steeper gradient to the 11 ft weed line . Time to get the boat on there.

 

Mwal

JVM1

You will like the camera. They are not designed for long term viewing but let you drill a test hole and take a quick look around the neighborhood. Also lets you know the water clarity without laying on the ice and trying to stare down a hole and getting soaked or if you are out there at dawn and can't see with your eyes the camera can. Best tip Mj1675 showed me at a get to gator couple years ago . Lots of good info on this board.

Mwal.