Hopatcong 02-18-2017

[Andrushkin33]

So,

Even though forecast called for a nice warm day ---- just had to get out and do some ice fishing .... just had to .... received a call at 5am that ice was more or less good at State Park and off I went.

Absolutely beautiful day to be out with an amazing display of flags ... flags were flying before I even managed to finish setting up and whole day was a constant marathon from one to another ... lots of lost fish, lots of small fish and destroyed bait....

Got the grill out to the lake and enjoyed a nice bbq while all of us were there. Pickerel, perch, hog bass, sunnies and crappy were all landed through the day.

Landed 6 bass from 18" up, 8 pickerel from 18" up, one confused crappy at 11" multiple perch and sunnies as well.

Now for the fun part of the day. Shoreline was warming up much quicker than I have expected and my midday I have already managed to go in up to my knees .... that should of been a first clue to through a plank out since further out ice was solid 7 to 8" Of course in order to act on a first clue you have to have some brain cells and apparently they were in short supply for me for the day.

After everyone left and only me and my buddy remained hot bite continued. By 5:30 pm it was time to finally leave ice for good. Packed it in and back to car I went. Everything was going nice and smooth until I approached shoreline again and this time went for a swim ... got in a water up to my chest managing only to keep my head dry .... what can I say water was colder than expected but at least air temperature was good... seeing my predicament my friend did not waste a single second ....and immediately whipped out a cellphone to record my leisure swim .... due to colorful language I will not post that video ....well technically I would but I am yet still to receive it from him.

Overall ....amazing day for fishing ... glad to be out from a drink and off to search for more brain cells ....

Side note. People who went in on Sunday are not with me and they did not go in at State Park.

Pictures and video coming soon.

Please be safe if you are still venturing out.

Andre