ice fishing off catawba

[Farmer Bob]

went out sat off catawba state park. there is a bad crack that showed no signs of healing. it was open about a foot when we left and closed when we came back. be very careful and watch your wind direction as it appeared to run from the point all the way south west. very good ice everwhere we went(8"ave.)but the fishing was tough. 5 good anglers could only manage 7 fish, mostly 4# with one 10#. we marked and caught the most 1 mile south of green. use extreme caution going over from the mainland as there are some cracks with bad ice between them.

[wallydog1]

Do you mean friday or were you out today.plan on heading up sunday.
noaa has wind south for sunday but they are supposed to be very lite.then turning southeast lite.not exactly perfect but as long as it stay's under 15 knts should be minor ice movement if any (maybe)
will keep looking at the forcast but you cannot totally rely on that.

[Farmer Bob]

I have been working to many days straight and have lost track of time. Sorry, we were out all day friday. I also must add that silver seemed to be the color of the day.

[wallydog1]

Thanks for the info.

[John RR]

I was wondering what the ice was like today. I talked with a few guys who were out and did not catch anything. They left off of Catwaba, but could not get out very far. Only fished in 17 feet of water. They did not want to cross over the cracks due to the fact that the wind was blowing pretty good from the west. I was wondering if anyone verntured out any farther. I am looking for an ice report as well as a fishing report. Sun. looks to be a good day, 25 degrees and light and variable winds 10-15 knots turing to the S.E. at 10-15 knots by Sun. night. Thank you for any reports from today, Sat. 01/31...

[ETT]

Bob,
Glad to hear you made it out, I know Woody was READY. I trust things are going well, and wish you guys the best of luck, with the new dealership. Jim Stedke

[LookntoFish]

I was out all day Saturday, 2.9 miles WNW of Catawba St.Pk. in 23 FOW. No problem with cracks, Ice 10-11". Fished a solid 7 hours w/o a fish. Not even a hit, didn't even see one on the Vex. Talked with lots of guys and only seen one 3lb. fish iced. There was a large pressure ridge out about the area we fished. Some guys were going over it, but I was content. The wind was relentless. The high pressure and deep freeze must have really turned things off. It was however very nice to get out, even w/o fish!

[Farmer Bob-1]

I talked to my ice guide buddy from south bass today, he said things are starting to pickup today around the island. The report I got was that fish are being caught all around green and north of pib. He said that most guys are catching 3-5 fish. Still no limits but maybe the weather and the fish are begining to cooperate. I still think that fish are around the reefs west of catawba, we just need someone to find them. Keep drilling holes and let us know??!

[Wahoo]

Went out of marblhead and fished approx. 1 mile southeast of starve isle on sunday.Our group of four took only five fish.I did have quite a few short strikes and lost two or three under the ice.I caught both my two fish around four thirty p.m.
It was a very tough bite though as most fish I saw on the Zercom c.pt.would actually vacate the area when I jigged the bait!!I had to pretty much hold the baits still and let the fish lock onto them then just lift very slowly and wiggle it to get them to chase it at all.We fished pretty much dawn to dusk...The ice was in fair to poor condition when we came in at dusk.Several pressure cracks with open water pushed out around them but none we had to "bridge"...If you go be careful and be sure to post a report...Good or bad EVERY report is helpful!....FISH HARD...Wahoo