Slow days

slingshotz · #1 12-26-2009, 08:07 PM

Is it just me or has the fishing been relatively slow the last couple of weeks? I've been mostly skunked a bunch of times in a row and it doesn't seem like it's just me from talking to and observing others on the ice.

Seems there's always a few posts on how someone slaughtered X number of fish in X minutes but I guess most don't want to post their failures. Yes I know it's not called catching for a reason but I generally don't get that skunked in the summer.

So far at MacGregor twice, first time one whitefish at the very end of the entire day, second time all day had one bite and lost it. PCR (yes PCR!), one little walleye on that AO gathering. Gull moved around to two different locations, not one bite in the midst of other shacks and people nor away from everyone. Little stocked trout lake (with hungry trout), wife had two nibbles but nothing brought up.

Is this kinda normal for this time of year on the ice? It's only my second season into this so I don't have much experience built up yet. I've been changing up lures, presentation, bait, depth as much as possible. Granted I don't move around that much as I'm using a hand auger but I still try to get at least 8 holes drilled to test the waters.

WayneChristie · #2 12-26-2009, 08:12 PM

Today was my first skunk. was going to stop at Enchant on the way home just for one measly perch to break it, but I was tired.

I have found the last couple times the fish were biting slow, but I think it was just me, I did see others catching fish. I found PCR slow too, but we were in deep water so maybe that had something to do with it. 5 walleyes vs 200 in the summer. Going to give it another shot on Monday and see if its better in less water. Maybe the moon has something to do with it? There is also way more snow on the lakes now, as compared to the clear black ice a couple weeks ago, might be something too, I am new to this also.

Wulfespirit · #3 12-26-2009, 08:26 PM

I've gotten the distinct impression that the hardwater season has been a bit slower than usual this year too. From sight fishing a bunch, it seems alot of fish of various species seem quite passive down there.

On the other hand, I had a not bad day today.

npauls · #4 12-26-2009, 08:28 PM

I think you are right with the snow cover wayne. I was at enchant on christmas eve and it was very slow to start things off. So I went out and shoveled down to the ice 4 feet wide all the way around my hut and had non stop action the rest of the day. Ended up losing count but I was far past 100 perch easily.

WayneChristie · #5 12-26-2009, 08:29 PM

anything bigger than your thumb?

Im thinking of ending up there tomorrow again, may hit my pike lake on the way if I can get in the road. Did you get any rainbows? Ive seen 2 rather large ones there so far, unless it was the same one

CrowsnestGuy · #6 12-26-2009, 08:32 PM

Yup. Was out at Sherburne today, all day and was skunked too. Saw a couple of perch caught around us over the day but not many.

calgarygringo · #7 12-26-2009, 08:38 PM

Will, remember even the best of us have an occasional bad day or 2. I took a newbie out last week his lst time and to PCR and had a hey day and the first thing I told him was not to get to cocky about it. You may go next time and get skunked. Wayne, fish in 15-20 ft deep at PCR for good action and regards to perch. A guy I used to fish with who was a fish bio guy told me perch really like to feed in the sun. I don't know how true it is but winter and summer we always do better on sunny days or when there is lots of light under the ice. We also never seem to catch a perch after dark. My buddy used to tell me they don't feed much then. That is why when we do a winter Burntstick or Cow lake trip we leave at dark and when we go to CV or PCR we just start fishing just before dark. Keep it up and don't get too disappointed. Maybe I will just have to take you guys out somewhere for a lesson. LOL...

WayneChristie · #8 12-26-2009, 08:40 PM

IM always up for learning more about fishing.

practice, practice practice

slingshotz · #9 12-26-2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgarygringo

Will, remember even the best of us have an occasional bad day or 2. I took a newbie out last week his lst time and to PCR and had a hey day and the first thing I told him was not to get to cocky about it. You may go next time and get skunked. Wayne, fish in 15-20 ft deep at PCR for good action and regards to perch. A guy I used to fish with who was a fish bio guy told me perch really like to feed in the sun. I don't know how true it is but winter and summer we always do better on sunny days or when there is lots of light under the ice. We also never seem to catch a perch after dark. My buddy used to tell me they don't feed much then. That is why when we do a winter Burntstick or Cow lake trip we leave at dark and when we go to CV or PCR we just start fishing just before dark. Keep it up and don't get too disappointed. Maybe I will just have to take you guys out somewhere for a lesson. LOL...

Let me know the next time you head out to CV, I tried a few times last year for burbs and never found them. You seem to be the resident expert for CV burbs