12-29-2012, 09:55 PM
Hit Mantua first thing this morning with some friends. Lavaman joined up with us later in the morning. Fishing was not what it was yesterday. Slower than usual, but we still caught fish.
After an hour or so on the ice with the slow fishing, I decided to move. I started at the same spot I fished yesterday. I proceeded to move about 50-60 yards east of where we had everything set up. NO ONE was over there. It was obvious someone had been there yesterday, but that was yesterday, and I wanted to try it. I drilled a couple of holes and got some bites, so I went back to get the rest of my stuff. Lavaman met up with me at this point.
So after about a half hour to 45 minutes of fishing in this spot, I see a couple walking out towards us (no one else is within 50-60 yards of us). I thought it might have been someone that had I had told I would be out there today because I had my flag up, but it was no one I knew or talked to on here. They guy walks right up to us, about 10 yards away, maybe, and I said hello to him. He then said that was his spot that he fished yesterday, and stood there looking around for a good 2 minutes, almost like he expected me to get up and offer it to him or something. Lavaman was catching a few fish, so I turned to him and started talking about his catch. The guy sets his tent up and drills a couple of holes not even 10 yards from me. UNBELIEVABLE! But, I wouldn't expect less from anyone out there. It's a common occurance, unfortunately. I have seen the same people out there the last few years. It's like they think they own the place. I woke up early, I got there before anyone else did, and no, this piece of ice isn't your real estate. The pic below is my buddy and his son. Behind him, you can see my sled and bucket on the ground. Behind my sled and bucket is the little party that arrived.
[inline 20121229_110003a.jpg]
Oh well. We fished there for a couple of more hours before we needed to head home. As soon as we were back to our original spot, they immediately left their holes and went to fish the ones we had drilled. Funny stuff. But it just amazes me, wherever we fish, that complete strangers can feel comfortable coming up and setting up camp 20ish feet away from you and expect you to be just a-ok with it. I like K2muskie's post about ice fishing etiquitte.
Now, done with the rant. I am not even worried if they read posts on this site or not. It's just not cool to do that, and everyone I have met on here and talked with, I feel safe in saying, pretty much feels the same way.
But I enjoyed the morning out, even if the fishing wasn't as hot as it has been for us in the past.
Ice was anywhere from 3-5 inches thick. Slush was there in spots, but for the most part wasn't a big deal. The main sled tracks on and off the lake are getting pretty permanent, so it makes for an easy walk on and off.
[signature]
After an hour or so on the ice with the slow fishing, I decided to move. I started at the same spot I fished yesterday. I proceeded to move about 50-60 yards east of where we had everything set up. NO ONE was over there. It was obvious someone had been there yesterday, but that was yesterday, and I wanted to try it. I drilled a couple of holes and got some bites, so I went back to get the rest of my stuff. Lavaman met up with me at this point.
So after about a half hour to 45 minutes of fishing in this spot, I see a couple walking out towards us (no one else is within 50-60 yards of us). I thought it might have been someone that had I had told I would be out there today because I had my flag up, but it was no one I knew or talked to on here. They guy walks right up to us, about 10 yards away, maybe, and I said hello to him. He then said that was his spot that he fished yesterday, and stood there looking around for a good 2 minutes, almost like he expected me to get up and offer it to him or something. Lavaman was catching a few fish, so I turned to him and started talking about his catch. The guy sets his tent up and drills a couple of holes not even 10 yards from me. UNBELIEVABLE! But, I wouldn't expect less from anyone out there. It's a common occurance, unfortunately. I have seen the same people out there the last few years. It's like they think they own the place. I woke up early, I got there before anyone else did, and no, this piece of ice isn't your real estate. The pic below is my buddy and his son. Behind him, you can see my sled and bucket on the ground. Behind my sled and bucket is the little party that arrived.
[inline 20121229_110003a.jpg]
Oh well. We fished there for a couple of more hours before we needed to head home. As soon as we were back to our original spot, they immediately left their holes and went to fish the ones we had drilled. Funny stuff. But it just amazes me, wherever we fish, that complete strangers can feel comfortable coming up and setting up camp 20ish feet away from you and expect you to be just a-ok with it. I like K2muskie's post about ice fishing etiquitte.
Now, done with the rant. I am not even worried if they read posts on this site or not. It's just not cool to do that, and everyone I have met on here and talked with, I feel safe in saying, pretty much feels the same way.
But I enjoyed the morning out, even if the fishing wasn't as hot as it has been for us in the past.
Ice was anywhere from 3-5 inches thick. Slush was there in spots, but for the most part wasn't a big deal. The main sled tracks on and off the lake are getting pretty permanent, so it makes for an easy walk on and off.
[signature]