First Ice Crappies

[Bryan P]

Checked some lakes around Central Mn and found one with 4-5" of clear ice. Grabbed my gear and headed out for some first ice action. Felt good to wet a line and even managed a couple crappies to scratch the itch. Sucks the weather is going be warm next week or so. Going make a lot of lakes unsafe, so be safe anyone adventuring out. I might wait till this warm snap is over before I head out again. 

 

 

[Patrick Bennett]

Where was this at?

[Tom Sawyer]

Where's the spud bar?Especially with this warm, windy weather ice can change alot during the course of the day

STAY DRY BUDDY

[AlwaysFishing23]

Another excellent video by the man himself.... Bryan P. Keep up the good work! Tight lines and stay safe out there my friend. 

[IceHawk]

Have to agree with Tom on this one early ice equals spud bar and better yet a partner throw  rope float cushion and spud bar.  Ice thickness can really vary this early especially with the weather we've been having. Great to see you got on some fish and nice video but definitely be safe!

[Bryan P]

2 hours ago, Tom Sawyer said:

Where's the spud bar?Especially with this warm, windy weather ice can change alot during the course of the day

STAY DRY BUDDY

 

Agreed! This warm weather is going make a lot of ice unsafe. What you didn't see on camera was all the ice checking I did before setting up and there was about dozen guys behind me. Lake had some great ice but after this week im sure it wont be. Sucks warm weather came in like this, we were on track for a good ice season. 

[Bryan P]

2 hours ago, AlwaysFishing23 said:

Another excellent video by the man himself.... Bryan P. Keep up the good work! Tight lines and stay safe out there my friend. 

 

Thank you sir, Will do! Bummer warm weather will delay everything now but least I got a trip in early like that. 

[Bryan P]

1 hour ago, IceHawk said:

Have to agree with Tom on this one early ice equals spud bar and better yet a partner throw  rope float cushion and spud bar.  Ice thickness can really vary this early especially with the weather we've been having. Great to see you got on some fish and nice video but definitely be safe!

 

Yes, safety was first. What you didn't see on camera was all the ice checking I did before setting up and there was about dozen guys behind me so was a nice feeling too. This warm weather coming will delay everything now but felt good to get out early like that.  

[eyeguy 54]

Looked like spud marks to me when I watched the vid. Be safe guys  

[Bucketcastle]

I think Bryan has it under control without a spud bar....calm down moms.  All someone has to do without one is slowly work your way out drilling holes along the way, and have a plan if you go through.  Thats the biggest, have a plan if you go through.

 

But, nice Bryan keep up the good videos!

[gim]

7 minutes ago, Bucketcastle said:

I think Bryan has it under control without a spud bar....calm down moms.  All someone has to do without one is slowly work your way out drilling holes along the way, and have a plan if you go through.  Thats the biggest, have a plan if you go through.

 

But, nice Bryan keep up the good videos!

 

I'm not about to personally attack someone because they are making a poor decision here but lets be honest with ourselves: if the ice is questionable and unsafe and you need to make a plan in case you fall through, you definitely shouldn't be out there.  A few crappies just aint worth the risk.  Just last week 12 people had to be rescued off URL and another guy went through.  Stay on dry land until we get an extended cold snap in December.  The ice and fish will still be there in January fellas.

 

[Bucketcastle]

@gimruis come on, you always have to have a plan incase you go through, whether it be yourself, atv, or truck.  Even if the ice is 2 feet thick because you never know.  Most of these people dont think of what they should do in case of an emergency.  Think and be prepared for anything.  And yes, no fish is worth your life.....unless its jaws that thing kills people

Edited November 19, 2019 by Bucketcastle

[popriveter]

This is exciting to see!

 

I'm the rare guy who loves early ice and mostly stops fishing when the trucks start coming out on the lakes. I care more for catching fish than I care for hauling and setting up gear. 4-5" is ideal for a fisherman like me.

 

I normally enjoy fishing open water throughout November. I'm getting a frustrated at how long we've been stuck in between.

 

I live in the metro and have not set foot on the ice yet. I'd imagine we have 2-3" on most of my "first ice" spots, but I'm not bold enough to test them out this early. I'm hoping to catch some fish through the ice this November because I've been looking at iced-over lakes for more than 2 weeks now, but overnight lows of 35 degrees aren't helping any. 

 

Might need to drive north a while.

 

Either way, it lifts my spirits a bit to see that good fishing is starting not too far away.

[Bryan P]

@Bucketcastle lol...Thanks Man. There was a lot of ice checking before this video was made too. Pretty much 4-5" everywhere I drilled. 

[Bryan P]

@popriveter  Thanks man,  Glad I could get you pumped for the season. It was exciting to get out that early this year. Really sucks this warm weather came in and going set us back though. We were on track for a really nice ice season too. I was out in the Metro on 4-5" for few days last week before it got warm. Ice is still there just looks nasty now. Really bummed. You may have to drive north for some decent ice. Either way fingers crossed for cold snap soon. Be safe and goodluck this season!