Hard Ice fishing

divemaster99

Dovii
MFK Member
Jan 10, 2014
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Good stuff! Pulling them out of ice holes or from the remaining open water?
 

markstrimaran

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Nov 21, 2015
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Snagging out of open water below a large dam.

These ones were small enouph to winch in with 80 pound dacron. They are the hardest fighting freshwater fish I know of. In November it takes about 30 minutes of play to get one in or you loose the hook. The monster 50 pounders are very difficult to land, unless the water is 32F, or in a boat.
They mostly run down stream until your line is stripped off the reel, when bank fishing. But boats scare them off. So that leaves a bank docked canoe. To land them with. Too risky in ice water.
 

divemaster99

Dovii
MFK Member
Jan 10, 2014
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Pittsburgh, PA
Sounds like a blast, I’d love to catch one! That said, I’m very thankful they haven’t invaded my local waters, yet.
 
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markstrimaran

Potamotrygon
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Nov 21, 2015
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20180113_094410.jpg
16 pounds bagged. 4 thirty inch fish. The big ones push 40"

Just one VERY IMPORTANT, detail. After fillet cuting along the lateral line. Their is some dark meat, that will ruin the fish, if cooked with it. My cats love the stuff.

It does not all have to be removed, just the bulk of it.20180113_094736.jpg any left on will remove easily after cooking.

These loin back straps, have the Y bone, They are easy to remove when eating. 20180113_094627.jpg Just steak cut at 90 degrees, to keep the bones uncut.

I hack saw the ribs, out and grill the whole section. Looks like a small animal rib cage, easy to freak someone out . What are you cooking! Possum ribs.
 

piranhaman00

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
Sep 15, 2009
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Get some 50lb+ powerpro and just horse them in haha
 

markstrimaran

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Nov 21, 2015
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These guys can jump about 6 feet out of the water. That is alot, maybe 10x their weight in dynamic loading, 50 pound kevlar, spider wire. Makes my pole the weak link.
Last year after fish # 6, my reel was busted. The hand crank sheared off.
 
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