musconetcong ice report

[icebadger]

I hit lake Musconetcong today there was 4" of ice on the north side by port Morris. I fished in 4' with not to many weeds to deal with.Drilled 9 holes and only two of them were unfishable with to much weeds to deal with. I started with a 13 fishing magic man 30 in perch pattern then went to a clam tungsten Jig with a ratso body on it. I caught 32 perch and 2 sunnies. The perch ranged from 4" to 11" and only one sunnie was bigger than my hand the other was real small. The fish were active in the morning and as the day progressed the bite slowed down a bit, later on the sun went behind the clouds and the action slowed down. I was out on the cong yesterday and the state park on the right side had 4" as well but there was a lot of sketchy spots so i did not go out to far. This is what i was talking about in a post before the up and down temps are no good for making ice and the days are getting longer form here on out. I hope that i do not have to go out in the canoe again before jig-n-bobber season. I keep thinking that i am in a bad nightmare and i am going to wake up and there is going to be plenty of ice on the lakes:rolleyes:

[thmyorke1]

Living on the edge! of the ice that is :D nice job, sounds like a lot of fish!

[Mikey topaz]

Be careful out there!! I was out there tonight spudding around easy 4” But there was a lot of spots that the ice was clear and just froze over. One whack with the spud bar and right through, four inches to 1” in one step be careful and be safe guys!

[pickerelpete]

Thanks for the report Badger. Saw you out there yesterday but my weight class needs more ice. Hoping for more cold nights soon. Good tips on reading the ice Mikey. Be safe.

[Jigman13]

Two kids died yesterday in Middlesex county. One 5 min from me in east bruns. Another in carteret. Ice down this way is 100% no go. North of 78 prob better but it's still too sketchy. Unless February brings a vortex I'm not too confident on safe, consistent ice this year. Luckily and selfishly for me I'm nursing a fractured right wrist so I'm biding my time and glad I'm not missing much lol.

Just be safe out there guys...

[Esox Luciano]

Way to get it done badger!! Be safe out there brother, we're gonna need you tomorrow!

[icebadger]

Way to get it done badger!! Be safe out there brother, we're gonna need you tomorrow!what is going on tomorrow?

[thmyorke1]

Two kids died yesterday in Middlesex county. One 5 min from me in east bruns. Another in carteret. Ice down this way is 100% no go. North of 78 prob better but it's still too sketchy. Unless February brings a vortex I'm not too confident on safe, consistent ice this year. Luckily and selfishly for me I'm nursing a fractured right wrist so I'm biding my time and glad I'm not missing much lol.

Just be safe out there guys...

tragic news :( I heard that too. Even the smallest ponds here just north of 78 are barely frozen, the geese making pockets of open water still too. I hope everyone stays safe. Hope the wrist heals well too, Jigman

[NJSquatch]

good to hear you got out badger. looks like saturday's rain is going to kill what has been made. They are talking >1" of rain.

sad to hear about the drownings. it seems like every year there are some kids who fall through and don't make it out.

[ScowardNJ]

Nice job taking advantage of the best ice window we've had this year. Sounds like some solid jigging action!!!

[FASTEDDIE29]

Badger making something happen. I love it man! You got your ice fix and survived doing so. I admire your dedication to our sport. Really hoping to see you out there this year. Jig em’ up brother!!!:D

[NJSquatch]

Reports of 3 people going through on monksville this afternoon with one person going into cardiac arrest and hospitalized.

Remember you might be able to stand if you go through in the shallows but you have no idea how your body is going to react to the shock of 32 degree water.

Be careful guys and error on the side of caution.

[icebadger]

Reports of 3 people going through on monksville this afternoon with one person going into cardiac arrest and hospitalized.

Remember you might be able to stand if you go through in the shallows but you have no idea how your body is going to react to the shock of 32 degree water.

Be careful guys and error on the side of caution.Absolutely i got off the ice early today. By 2:30 the ice had a matte like appearance that means that honeycomb conditions are not to far behind. anybody trying to get out on anything deeper than 5 or 6 fow are asking for trouble. large bodys of water did not freeze well due to the winds at night the up and down temps are not helping at all.. There is some colder air out in the mid part of the states looks like it is going to be here by next week. keep your fingers crossed that we do get some sort of polar vortex in feb.I am not done badgering those perch yet, still need to get some for the table. The ones that i have been getting are not the 9 to 12" fish that i like to take, only got a couple here and there.I still have not gotten my fix yet:cool: would not mind getting a few more days in.. I wait all friggin summer for the hardwater season...