LAST of the BEST!

[jumpy]

Walleye are moving closer to the shores of the South Bass Island NOW! Caught some hogs the past few days. Bucket fishing is looking good for the next week here, maybe longer by the looks of the forecast!

[Thomas O]

Jumpy, are the ice guides still guiding off of PIB or are just the local guys fishing over there. If there is still a chance to fish next week with a guide, I might be interested.

[hageman.2]

With 6-7 inches or less of punky ice, and on again-off again freezing temperatures, rain and wind, I haven't taken anyone out since February 10. With care, it is possible to pick and choose your way around on the ice, close to shore.

I fell through someones large, unmarked shanty hole, approximately 18 X 24 inches rectangularly-shaped last Sunday, Feb 15. and wrecked my cell phone in my pocket, because the plastic bag that it was in wasn't sealed all the way, otherwise only got wet to my belly button. My brother and another friend pulled me out with a rope, then I marked it before someone else could fall through it again, and another few steps away my brother stepped into another hole and filled his boot.

A few of people were out the past few days, even as far as the Rattles, crossing less than 6 inches of ice enroute.

But to take paying customers out in anything less than GOOD ice is too risky for MY blood, reputation and pocketbook. Hope to see you in 2010........Primetimeicefishingcharters@hotmail.co m

P.S.-For a good read, check out the Ohio Sea Grant Discussion Board for the Legal opinion on commercial salvaging ATV's and other ice equipment after people get "rescued" off the mainland ice floes.

[jay2k]

Great report primetime!! I take it these guys are walkin' out to rattlesnake, right?!

[hageman.2]

Up to yesterday, there was a couple of ATV's but mostly airboats. With the fog, rain and wind and +40F temperatures overnight, I can't see any ATV's there today, just airboats. Lows the next few nights are predicted to be in the teens, with highs below freezing through Wednesday, so maybe some additional activity will be possible over the weekend. But, I plan to keep my ATV off the ice, and do all travelling on foot, and close to South Bass Island west shoreline where it's the thickest, and try to avoid shanty holes and other pitfalls......

[jumpy]

Enough said. Picture is worth a thousand words.

[hageman.2]

Who would have expected 3 nights of single-digit temperatures in March on Erie! Need to thank the weathermen for a couple of bonus days of Erie 'eyes. 45 minute 2-man limit (8) nice male fish 22-25". Lots more there for tomorrrow. Nice to be an Islander!

[jay2k]

Sounds like a good place to start after ice out. You fella's are lucky! After early January a lot of us thought we would be ice fishin' till March. Shows what a couple of warm windy days will do to big water. Good luck and have fun, its almost over.