Yup, another RP ice trip..Tues, 2-18

[Jmorfish]

My son-in-law needed an ice fishing trip, first time this year, so thought I'd try getting him into some of the nicer perch at Echo, So. end..that didn't work for us..about 10' of thin ice at the entry point we wanted, and about 1.5' deep before getting on to solid ice..I know this cuz we watched another guy try it, and he was wet almost to his knees..didn't stay to watch, but he wanted to cross with his home made sno dog..hope he made it, or changed his mind..We headed to Rockport, So. end again, edges there ok for us today, but don't know how they'll be in 2 or 3 days...I found my 15' spot again, we drilled test hole, had him send a line down for a look...he quickly got a nice 9"er..so drilled a couple more holes, I got a couple keepers...time to set the tent...0830 to 1030 was the best, and we each culled thru and had about 15 nicer fish, a few 8.5, but most 9 to 9.5, and 1 over 10"...after that it was slower, but by 1230 we were only keeping any over 9", and added about 10 more to our total...he was a happy fisherman, and glad RP worked out for us..wind from the north,and at times extremely strong..Solunar fishing charts said 'Poor' fishing day, but I'm glad the perch don't read..again, perch eye or cut perch belly meat were the best, but once in awhile we'd send down a pc of mealworm, or wax worm, which also caught a few..Waders would have worked at Echo today, and may be needed at RP soon, or long planks, for access on/off...Guluk...

[SkunkedAgain]

Thanks for the great report, sounded like a fun day except for the ice conditions starting to fade.. Thanks J

[Jmorfish]

Thanks for the great report, sounded like a fun day except for the ice conditions starting to fade..  Thanks J

Yeah, I'm thinking too short of a season again..don't get to wear out my gear this way, so it's hard to rationalize buying something new,like most of us would like to do once in awhile..

[perchinski]

Was gonna hit RP myself today, but decided to organize my ice gear, put it away, and change over some of those reels to my summer rods.
Pruned some fruit trees, cleaned out the window wells, and started some indoor seeds under the grow-lights.  Glad to see/read some guys made it out & did OK.  Enjoyed 8 good outings this year, met some of the BFTers I only read about, and looking forward to open water.

[SkunkedAgain]

I'm afraid you guys are right, the season is fading fast... Looking at the ten day the temps will probably finish off the rest of the low elevation ice.. I'm just hoping for a little high elevation ice holding so I can get another trip in before the season is over... I just haven't had near enough ice this year... Hope we get a little more before we have to shift to spring fishing... Later Jeff

[stan55]

Fished RP yesterday edges were still good and perch were biting.

[Jmorfish]

Fished RP yesterday edges were still good and perch were biting.

Nice!  get 'em while you can..It doesn't hurt to go take a look, but be thinking about a crossing plank, or waders, and an ice probe for the edges...could still work..Guluk..