Frustration with winter has set in already and I'm still looking a two full months or more of ice covered lakes and rivers here. I've already exhausted most, if not all of my release valves that normally keep me sane over the course of a normal winter. I've built two rods, cleaned 14 reels, organized and changed hooks on my hard baits, inventoried the majority of my tacke and made a list of items to be purchased prior to getting the boat ready sometime in early March.

The early arrival of below freezing temps along with the deep freeze we're encountering has really deflated my optimism and my tequila budget has me looking at Sauza and that's really rock bottom for me.

I recently reconciled myself to the fact that I won't be able to attend this years unofficial road trip and have been contemplating something very drastic...................does anyone know of a hot line for people contemplating ICE FISHING?

I know Raul is secretly grinning that dastardly grin he gets when any of us Guys faced with this winter dilemma vent, but just thank the man upstairs for your good fortune and try not to add salt to our wounds please.

Despite the nice weather here, I haven't had that much luck this winter either. Hopefully the spawn comes early .

Time for a road trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Time to build more rods!

Iceshanty.com

Time to go skiing!

I will say, that if you are interested in Ice Fishing, then go for it, but it takes a different mindset than regular fishing does for sure. Just sitting over a small hole jigging a spoon in the bitter cold for hours on end just doesn't stimulate everyone the way actively targeting bass does.. Maybe something else to consume your time... Are you into hunting? Obviously not everyone is, and if you'd rather fish go for it... They are both more passive then bassing is, but maybe one is more for you than the other.

I hear ya, I'm ready for spring already.  Not to interested in ice fishing either.  I decided to try and learn how to play the guitar.  I've been practicing for about a week...on my way to being a rock star lol.  I went to a fishing expo last weekend, and all that did was make me even more depressed knowing that I still have 3-4 month until it thaws out up here.

STEP AWAY FROM THE ICE TRAP! JUST PUT IT DOWN AND STEP AWAY!

Call me if you need to Papa; we'll get through this together.

If your gonna go icefishing you might as well join AA first.

Maybe we should start a support group. The only problem I can see in that is finding someone that would host it.  It's my understanding that the host is someone that can actually offer constructive insight to the group's problem.  I don't believe there is such a person.

Yeah, I usually stop fishing late November till March.  I was able to do a lot of shooting the past two months but now it's just too cold to do anything.  I can't wait for Spring.

I'm on the North Shore, about 20 miles north of Chicago, and I'm feelin the cabin fever too. Ice fished a few times at our place in WI, but I don't like it too much. Can't wait til March when I can buy my new kayak and get fishing.

Maybe we should start a support group. The only problem I can see in that is finding someone that would host it.  It's my understanding that the host is someone that can actually offer constructive insight to the group's problem.  I don't believe there is such a person.

I think Raul should be a gracious host and let all of us Bass Resource Northerners stay at his place until March/April.

Ice fishing can kind of suck. Knowing a buddy or relative that actively ice fishes and knows how and where to find the fish will make your experience MUCH more pleasurable. Drilling random holes almost never pans out. When I went a few years ago, I would look at topo maps and I drilled some holes on what I thought were good Locations ( deep holes, deep side of point, etc.) and I saw zero fish all day. Sometimes all it takes is a little grass on the bottom and panfish will hover over/in it with no other structure around them. Also Bluegill, crappie, and perch can often be found in the middle of lake suspending in the middle of the water column. Its hard to find where fish are.

Y'all need to come skiing.  It really is awesome and it keeps you in good physical shape too.  It sure beats sitting around listening to the sounds of people catching monsters in the southern states haha

Y'all need to come skiing.  It really is awesome and it keeps you in good physical shape too.  It sure beats sitting around listening to the sounds of people catching monsters in the southern states haha

Yea, right. This old fart rarely indulges in the endeavor you use for your screen name, let alone getting his sorry butt up on skis, but thanks for you imput.

With any luck the pre-spawn will start early to mid March. I have work to keep me occupied during the week, but on the weekend I usually start looking in the tackle bag.