Ice fishing

It has been COLD up here lately, but I have still been having a good time fishing with Terry while shopping for 5 more points to make it to 1700.  While I have caught a zillion bass, the big fish have been giving me the old middle fin.

Friday was as cold as I've seen it...a hard freeze with a mix of rain and snow.  Perfect.  Time to go fishing.  This is the part that makes Leah question my intelligence...



Unfortunately Terry was in Bakersfield, so I fished solo.  When I picked up my agents the guys there suggest an area nearby, so without the RP ambassaduer, I gave the new spot a try.  I went through 24 agents by myself, with lots of nice fish in the mix.  I finally got one a that was a minor upgrade in length, but the fattest bass I have ever caught.  I tried several attempts at the "fish hunter".  Apparently I REALLY suck at it.  This is the best I could muster before the cold started jacking with my battery...



On the Hawg...



All in all a lot of freezing days for a 1 inch upgrade.  Thank god for pattymelts, Terry,and thE ReaL fIShhuNTEr or it wouldn't have been nearly as fun.  I have no idea how this thing is gonna end, but I accomplished my personal goal of breaking 1700...time to move on to 09.  I have plans to make and gear to build.

Dude, that bass if fat!  Cool that you accomplished what you set out to do, now it looks like it is up to fate.  As for the cold, sometimes I wonder what the hell I'm doing out on the water when the feet and hands are numb.....   

Generally I don't think LMB fight worth a dang, but some of these ice bass have been surprisingly fiesty, this one was a great fighter and took drag several times.

sometimes I wonder what the hell I'm doing out on the water when the feet and hands are numb.....

x2!!! Up until these last two trips I have been staying warm in my Kokatat pants with fleece underneath and Mysterioso socks.  My feet though have gotten brutally cold...as in painful.  I need something better than Mysterioso socks for the 30 degree days.

The Fishunter is my brutha', and you, dear sir, though another brother, are no Fishunter!
As for cold piggies I like my poly or silk liner sock with a fat wool one over it. Then make sure the foot isn't crammed in whatever footwear you'r sporting. Even then, if you're not moving around getting the blood pumping, extemities will get cold no matter what.
Friday I was driving home from the bay area and was thinking how I was glad to not be sitting in my yak waiting for a nibble in the cold.
You are a fishing fool. That's a compliment.

Nice work on the hard-core solo frigid trip, Sean.  You've earned your spot.  Well done.  

Nice work on getting out there and hitting the mark. Wait a min.. a 21.5" LMB? in the dead of winter? ..that's insane.

That FH self port shot ain't easy. I needed tips from the master himself to get it even close to right.

This is the part that makes Leah question my intelligence...

Ryoko does the same to me. She's got this look all down where she doesn't have to say a word. I'm sure we all know that look.. 

Z

As for cold piggies I like my poly or silk liner sock with a fat wool one over it. Then make sure the foot isn't crammed in whatever footwear you'r sporting.

I will give that a try.  I will buy some oversized booties and layer up. I tried some chemical footwarmers that Santa put in my stocking but they were a total bust.

You are a fishing fool.

Takes one to know one!

You've earned your spot.  Well done.

Thanks Abby.  I doubt that  it will last until Jan. 1st, but if it does I will have an extra bottle of bubbly!  No matter what I feel good about how my season went, and have plans for entertaining madness in 09.

congradulations !!   1700 is huge !!

Well done!  That is a nice looking fatty.  Congrats on the 1700 and a damn solid year of fishing.

Bryan

congrats on the upgrade! wish I couldve been there for it but it was worth missing to spend the holidays with my folks in Fresno AND order my new kayak that Ill pick up in march.
again, strong work on the upgrade.

Gracias gentlemen.  Did you order a 160 or 140 Terry?

going big and going fast (like my women)     going 160

Nice...that should be a real beauty.

The Fishunter is my brutha', and you, dear sir, though another brother, are no Fishunter!

That FH self port shot ain't easy. I needed tips from the master himself to get it even close to right.
Z

WTStick with it OhSilentOne...points are points! even when they're frozen solid.
Too funny fellas!.....and you gotta take more than one shot....hold the camera far away, bring the fish close to face and start clicking...easy as pie!
I'd trade you some FH self-portrait skillz for some of your FishCatching skillz Sean.
for Real_&INaHEARTBEAT!

Unbelievable Sean!   Are you done yet? 170.3 per fish average is a high bar to set!

We all know where You have  been fishing.  It's Juan and a couple others that have me worried....????