01-04-2015, 02:44 PM
[#0000FF]It definitely helps to have some "history" on any water you plan to fish. But lacking that you do need good sonar and some basic knowledge of fish and fish habitat preferences...and the basic underwater topography of the lake.
Mantua is a big bowl with not much radical variation in depth or structure...besides weed beds. There are steeper slopes along the eastern shoreline, especially out off the big hill. But otherwise it is shallower around the edges and deepest in the middle...with only minor humps and holes here and there.
On lakes with varied shoreline you might want to drill holes out along underwater points...on both sides...to find at what distance and depth the fish are holding. Then duplicate that on other points once it slows down on the first one. In other cases the fish will be on flats...between points or humps.
As some have mentioned, the fish in Mantua seem to move around and don't have much to hold them in most areas. You gotta keep moving to find them or plunk down and wait them out. The difference is if you can find a spot with some remnants of the thick summer weeds. Weeds attract and hold invertebrates and the baby perch and bluegills upon which the larger predators feed. Find the groceries and the fish will come.
Many of the better quality sonars will allow you to "shoot thru ice"...without having to keep drilling test holes. If there is clear clean ice, with no frozen slush on top or lots of bubbles, you can set the transducer on the ice and it will provide a reading of the bottom...and usually of fish. You may have to dribble a bit of water on the ice before setting the 'ducer down to make a solid shoot.
If there is a bit of snow over slick ice, just kick away the snow where you want to shoot...or use a small scoop shovel. Then the water trick will usually work. But later in the season...after repeated snow, slush, refreezing, etc. it becomes harder to find a spot to shoot through the ice.
I have been using the Showdown for about 3-4 years and I have it rigged so that I can move along in my sled...periodically shooting to see what is below. I carry a 2 quart insulated container of warm water and that is usually enough for a full day of "seek and ye shall find". I keep the Showdown running in my sled and just hold the transducer cord in one hand for quick use.
On some lakes...like Mantua...there are more fish per acre than on other lakes...like Starvation. You shouldn't have to move very far in most cases to find more fish. But there have been days on lakes like Deer Creek and Starvation that I had to make a lot of "ice shots" before finding the right area and the right depth to start drillin' and chillin'. Saved me a lot of wasted time and trial holes for nothing.
You are right about excessive noise having an effect on the fish. But if you move slowly and with light footfalls it isn't as bad. And once you locate an area with good potential, drill your holes quickly and quietly and then sit quietly to wait for the fish to settle down. Surprisingly, you will get some of your best action within a short time of setting up. In some cases it almost seems like the noise of getting set up draws in some curious fish. But banging buckets on the ice and stomping loudly between holes usually is not the best remedy for getting more action.
You are also wise to avoid the crowds...as long as you can find and catch fish. Seems like the majority of ice anglers operate on the "herd instinct". They gotta gather around others...even when nobody else is catching much. If you use good search techniques and remember "You cain't ketch 'em where they ain't" you will soon find your own honey holes. Just be prepared to have a whole lot of new (herd) friends who want to join you and help you make plenty of noise to improve your fishing.
If you want to have some fun, wait until the fishing has totally died off and you are planning to go anyway. Then move a long ways from anybody else on the ice and set up. It helps to have a buddy to help. Drill some holes and then start yelling loudly and acting like you are slaying the fish. Now look at your watch and see how long it takes to get a steady procession of "ants" heading towards you across the ice. An even better variation is to not even drill any holes and then pack up and leave before the other guys get there...and watch the look on their faces when they figure it out.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]
Mantua is a big bowl with not much radical variation in depth or structure...besides weed beds. There are steeper slopes along the eastern shoreline, especially out off the big hill. But otherwise it is shallower around the edges and deepest in the middle...with only minor humps and holes here and there.
On lakes with varied shoreline you might want to drill holes out along underwater points...on both sides...to find at what distance and depth the fish are holding. Then duplicate that on other points once it slows down on the first one. In other cases the fish will be on flats...between points or humps.
As some have mentioned, the fish in Mantua seem to move around and don't have much to hold them in most areas. You gotta keep moving to find them or plunk down and wait them out. The difference is if you can find a spot with some remnants of the thick summer weeds. Weeds attract and hold invertebrates and the baby perch and bluegills upon which the larger predators feed. Find the groceries and the fish will come.
Many of the better quality sonars will allow you to "shoot thru ice"...without having to keep drilling test holes. If there is clear clean ice, with no frozen slush on top or lots of bubbles, you can set the transducer on the ice and it will provide a reading of the bottom...and usually of fish. You may have to dribble a bit of water on the ice before setting the 'ducer down to make a solid shoot.
If there is a bit of snow over slick ice, just kick away the snow where you want to shoot...or use a small scoop shovel. Then the water trick will usually work. But later in the season...after repeated snow, slush, refreezing, etc. it becomes harder to find a spot to shoot through the ice.
I have been using the Showdown for about 3-4 years and I have it rigged so that I can move along in my sled...periodically shooting to see what is below. I carry a 2 quart insulated container of warm water and that is usually enough for a full day of "seek and ye shall find". I keep the Showdown running in my sled and just hold the transducer cord in one hand for quick use.
On some lakes...like Mantua...there are more fish per acre than on other lakes...like Starvation. You shouldn't have to move very far in most cases to find more fish. But there have been days on lakes like Deer Creek and Starvation that I had to make a lot of "ice shots" before finding the right area and the right depth to start drillin' and chillin'. Saved me a lot of wasted time and trial holes for nothing.
You are right about excessive noise having an effect on the fish. But if you move slowly and with light footfalls it isn't as bad. And once you locate an area with good potential, drill your holes quickly and quietly and then sit quietly to wait for the fish to settle down. Surprisingly, you will get some of your best action within a short time of setting up. In some cases it almost seems like the noise of getting set up draws in some curious fish. But banging buckets on the ice and stomping loudly between holes usually is not the best remedy for getting more action.
You are also wise to avoid the crowds...as long as you can find and catch fish. Seems like the majority of ice anglers operate on the "herd instinct". They gotta gather around others...even when nobody else is catching much. If you use good search techniques and remember "You cain't ketch 'em where they ain't" you will soon find your own honey holes. Just be prepared to have a whole lot of new (herd) friends who want to join you and help you make plenty of noise to improve your fishing.
If you want to have some fun, wait until the fishing has totally died off and you are planning to go anyway. Then move a long ways from anybody else on the ice and set up. It helps to have a buddy to help. Drill some holes and then start yelling loudly and acting like you are slaying the fish. Now look at your watch and see how long it takes to get a steady procession of "ants" heading towards you across the ice. An even better variation is to not even drill any holes and then pack up and leave before the other guys get there...and watch the look on their faces when they figure it out.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]