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01-17-2022, 09:25 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 19
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Slow Fishing days?
Question on everyone’s strategy on those slower ice fishing days……
I was one of many out at Lac Ste. Anne this past Sunday. The bite was slow right from first light, to last light. No one around me was having much luck, and I have fished this lake numerous times. I get it, it happens.
My question is this:
What are your guys’’ strategies for those slower days, regardless of the Lake? Do you switch up the depth you are fishing? Different baits for slower days? Move around the Lake?
I tried 8-14 fow using jig and a minnow, rattle bait, spoons, bottom bouncing etc. I also moved spots a couple times.
Thanks
Last edited by Spruceygoosey; 01-17-2022 at 09:52 PM.
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01-17-2022, 09:55 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 3,918
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Did you have a camera or fish finder, and were fish moving through?
Some fish can always be made to hit if you get them angry. Trouble is, they may not be moving much.
If the fish are not moving much, you have to drill alot of holes and keep moving until you hit the few fish that can be coaxed into striking.
Strange as it sounds, aggressive jigging will get the odd one to do a reaction strike. No hit within 5 minutes, then move on. Odds are there is nothing there, or it is lock jawed.
Drewski
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01-17-2022, 10:54 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 19
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Slow Fishing days?
Drewski,
I did have my Sonar unit yes, with very little action showing up.
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01-17-2022, 11:31 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: At the end of the Thirsty Beaver Trail, Pinsky lake, Alberta.
Posts: 24,497
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I go to where they are, try different baits, presentations etc and if nothing move to another area with fish to see if they are at least active, rinse and repeat.
__________________
Be careful when you follow the masses, sometimes the "M" is silent...
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01-18-2022, 06:04 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 19
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Much appreciated Cat.
Thank you
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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01-20-2022, 02:08 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 11,851
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There's a few options ...
1) Move around and try different things
2) Booze and a BBQ lunch on the tailgate
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01-20-2022, 04:12 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,439
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EZM
There's a few options ...
1) Move around and try different things
2) Booze and a BBQ lunch on the tailgate
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#2 will not improve the fishing report but can sure end the day on a good note!
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01-20-2022, 04:46 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,150
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Dead stick with a micro jig and maggots, tip up with just a minnow. And a comfy chair.
Eventually something will eat one or the other. Best ever ice walleye hit the tiny jig, only fish I caught that day. Got a few whites as well here and there, and the very odd pike on the tip up.
I have never had success with the super aggressive approach. Not saying it won’t ever work, but you are dealing with a cold blooded animal in almost frozen water…they aren’t active for a good reason.
__________________
“Nothing is more persistent than a liberal with a dumb idea” - Ebrand
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01-20-2022, 04:58 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,615
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Lots of high and low pressure changes this winter, I always found it was best in the winter when it's consistent, either brutally cold or milder, 3 or 4 days of consistent weather is a good thing. 20 degrees temperatures changes every 24 hrs and wind blowing east, west and north all in the same day, not so good. I find whites and trout less effected by the weather than our other species during the ice fishing season. Just my observations.
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01-20-2022, 08:30 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Dodge City
Posts: 1,283
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EZM
There's a few options ...
1) Move around and try different things
2) Booze and a BBQ lunch on the tailgate
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Really it comes down to this. I am a true believer that the fish are always biting somewhere, just depends how much effort you want to put into it. If I'm by myself the auger is going to hate me. If it's a family day pretty happy to just relax, punch some different depths in the general area. If they go that's good, if not that's just fine to.
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01-21-2022, 09:48 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 2,121
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EZM
There's a few options ...
1) Move around and try different things
2) Booze and a BBQ lunch on the tailgate
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Don't get me wrong #2 is nice. However if it is slow, I will change up what I am using every 10-15 minutes.
If I am with a buddy, I will see what he has on and do the the opposite.....size, color, depth, rattling...etc.
In my experience, sometime a simple change of lure or presentation can change your luck.
Good luck and yes I'll have another shot of liquid warmer...
__________________
Life is like baseball; it is the number of times you reach home safely, that counts.
We have two lives: The life we learn with and the life we live with after that.
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01-21-2022, 10:18 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 193
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For me. If I am not marking fish quick, I move. I am known to test the integrity of the ice by drilling it out. On slow days I am drilling 50+ holes to find fish. It might be a subtle funnel, inside turn or a bench that is holding a lot of the fish.
If I am marking fish and will keep changing to something they like. That said a dead stick with a minnow and a single hook out fish anything I throw at them when the fish are negative.
These pressure systems like someone has already mentioned has messed with the fish a lot I have found. At least in our southern reservoirs at least.
Don’t be afraid to move and put that auger to work.
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01-21-2022, 10:28 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 714
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95% of the fish are in 5% of the water, git on the move and start drilling. Look at the lake contours, where you are at and where the fish could be at.
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