Ice Bass

December 27, 2022 daryl bauer

A couple of winters ago I posted a blog about catching largemouth bass through the ice, Largemouth Bass on Ice.  There is no doubt that largemouth bass are warm-water fish.  However, northern strain largemouth bass are very capable of being quite successful in northern places like Nebraska.  As a matter of fact, those warm-water largemouth bass can remain quite active during the winter, under the ice.

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My approach to catching largemouth bass through the ice used to be one of “take ’em whenever they come along.”  Much of the time I would target panfish.  While doing that, I knew that every now and then a bass would slurp my panfish presentation.  Then, hopefully, and maybe with a little luck, I would be able to put that bigger fish on the ice with my panfish gear.

The past few years I have decided that I can catch a lot more bass by targeting them.  In fact some days I now target bass and incidentally take any large panfish that happen to come along.  In the process I have come to the conclusion that my bass catch rates can be just as high and even higher through a hole in the ice!  And, the catch rate of quality-size bass through an ice hole rivals that of any open-water fishing I do too!

Besides that, it is just plain a lot of fun!

I bring this topic up again because recently I found a good, thorough article on the subject.  You can go back and read my previous blog post, but don’t just take my word:

In-Fisherman, Winter Bass Fishing on Good Panfish Lakes

If you are looking for a little more excitement while sitting on a bucket catching panfish this winter, kick it up a notch.  Intentionally target some of those green bass.  It will add a whole ‘nother dimension to your ice-fishing!

IceBass2021c

The post Ice Bass appeared first on Nebraskaland Magazine.

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