Back To Reality

Ok, so you noticed I was gone.  Well, at least a few of you were wondering where I was and emailed.  The good news is I am alive and well.  I decided to take a little break from the ice fishing and take my family to Disney World and then a Disney Cruise to the Bahamas, which was a much needed break.

Normally I do not take vacations in the winter because I am busy with ice promotions and ice fishing but this year I made a promise to the kids that if I won a tournament we would take a vacation, and I did!

The fishing when I left was very tough and I didn't think I would be missing much.  For the  most part the bite was tough on most lakes and the fish were not staging in the classic spring spots yet.  Oh, how things have changed.  I believe the temps AVERAGED 40 degrees while we were gone.  This is exactly what we needed to get the late ice bite going and it is.

No matter what part of the state you are fishing, if you are after big Bluegill and Crappie they are on the chew.  It is time to start looking to those shallow late ice spots because for the most part the snow is gone.  The late ice bite doesn't usually start this early but it is in full swing right now and will only get better.  I will be targeting 9-12ft of water my next time out but don't be afraid to look shallower in the AM and PM and deeper during mid day.

Well, I have a lot of catching up to do.  I have some fun trips coming up before I head out to the Detroit River on April 1st.  Between now and then I need to get my new Evinrude powered Ranger and finish the Rigging.  So, keep you fingers crossed that my boat arrives early and the ice holds on for a couple more weeks!