First (and last?) day on the ice this season.

[briansnat]

I've been itching go get out on the ice all winter but something always seemed to come up. I was in no hurry thinking I had plenty of time, but the warm weather lately and open water on many lakes I drove past told me this weekend might be my last chance.

Since I moved to Sparta in August, Lake Aeroflex has become my "home" lake so I decided to head there. I passed Andover Hunt and Fish on the way, but decided to take a look at the lake before I bought shiners. The lot was pretty full, which was a good sign, but when I drove up to the lake there was open water all around the boat ramp. Not a soul anywhere in the lake that I could see.

Damn, so I headed home pretty bummed out. Then I started thinking going north might be better. I decided to check out Ryker Lake, but halfway there I realized I had no bait.

Ryker looked good, a few groups were out on the ice, so I thought I could pick up bait at Fin and Fur on Rt 23. I make the drive there only to find a "For Rent" sign in the window. Out of business. Somebody up there doesn't want me fishing today I guess. Now I'm really going home when it occurs to me that there is another bait store about 5 miles north on 23. I get there, they're still in business and they had bait. Too good to be true.

I finally get on the ice 2 hours after I left the house and discover a bunch of freshly drilled holes waiting for me. The group that had been there moved a few hundred feet away. I made use of the holes and sat down with a cigar, some drink and a book. I managed to catch a LMB and a pickerel. Had a few more flags, but being a bit rusty I was a little too eager to hook the fish and I probably pulled the bait right out of their mouth.

Oh and there were 9 inches of ice. So fingers crossed, it could be good for another weekend.

[icebadger]

wow talk about a wacky morning glad to hear that you found good ice and was successful catching some fish. was the lake weedy? last time i was there the weeds were bad, we only caught big sunnies on the jig rods. no flags that day. after this warm weather passes we will have cold nites and that should buy a little time.

[RWole]

Yes unfortunately Fin and Fur went out of business last spring. It is difficult
to find bait when going to the sheds.

[briansnat]

Originally Posted by icebadger

wow talk about a wacky morning glad to hear that you found good ice and was successful catching some fish. was the lake weedy? last time i was there the weeds were bad, we only caught big sunnies on the jig rods. no flags that day. after this warm weather passes we will have cold nites and that should buy a little time.

Yes there were some weeds. In one of the holes I kept pulling up weeds. Most of the others weren't so bad. Pretty shallow, maybe 5 feet where I was.

[OMC]

Re: First (and last?) day on the ice this season.
Yes unfortunately Fin and Fur went out of business last spring. It is difficult
to find bait when going to the sheds

As Brian stated just up the road is Garden State Bow and Reel he always has bait and a really good supply of tackle.

[briansnat]

Yep, Garden State Bow and Reel is where I bought my bait. It's on 23 N about 10 minutes north of where Fin and Fur was.

[RWole]

Thanks for the info, I will check that place out for bait when I go to the sheds.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Sounds like a rough start with a great finish. Lots of running around involved. Glad you got a few fish man!