Seriously, this guy has proven to be a smart fisherman and we have members trying to tell him he is wrong? Maybe...but he has taken all the precautions and has other friends around him. I would not go on that ice but, I am also 50 years of age. 20 years ago, I did the same and weighed 150lbs less.
Kudos to the sweet tigers you managed to catch...
I would probably do 2.5" of clear ice. He was in only 3 feet of water so clearly he probably was fine.