ICE-FISHING OBSERVATIONS

I just returned from an early season ice-fishing trip, although the weather made it seem like the middle of winter. When we started out in the mornings air temperatures were in the twenty below range, with highs for the day only reaching maybe zero. However, warm clothing, portable shelters that allowed us to get out of the wind, as well as permanent houses on the ice that had heaters allowed our group to fish in relative comfort. 

On this particular trip we were experimenting with a new underwater camera. Underwater cameras have become very popular in the past two or three years, and as prices come down, they will become even more popular. It's easy to see why. The picture provided by the camera I was using was absolutely amazing. We were able to see fish come in, look at our baits, then either take the bait or leave. We were able to watch the paths the various fish took most frequently, and we were able to note which lure actions interested the fish the most. Following are some of the things we learned about ice fishing, and probably fishing in general, by watching an underwater camera.

Anglers have been taught that structure is important for fish location and travel. Until you actually watch the fish in their world, however, you don't realize how important structure is, especially to walleyes. We were fishing over a sand bottom that tapered slowly into deeper water. There was one little finger of grass that we could see. The walleyes would travel right along the gradual drop-off or the finger of sand. They would often wander a few feet off those structures, but when they wanted to go somewhere, they returned to the structure.

We were using traditional jigs tipped with minnows and Buck-Shot Rattle Spoons, a spoon that rattles. The rattling spoon attracted and held far more fish, especially perch. Often times there would be six to ten nice perch hovering right below the spoon, while they ignored the jig that was about four feet away. The perch would swim into the picture quickly, headed right for the spoon, then slam on the brakes just inches away from the spoon. When the spoon was moving, they usually wouldn't hit, but as soon as it stopped, they sucked it in.

One time there were perch on the screen, then they all disappeared. Just a few seconds later, a northern pike drifted through. When the pike left, the perch returned.

The camera we were using was the Vista Cam Deluxe Pro. This camera has a nine-inch, black and white t.v. screen that several anglers can watch at once. It has an infrared camera that allows for viewing in low light conditions. It is the most user-friendly and easy-to-watch camera that I have seen. The other members of our group agreed with that assessment.

Video cameras aren't for everyone, but almost everyone will agree that they are amazing, almost mesmerizing to watch. And, they can make you a better angler.

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