FishnDave

If money was not a factor, you'd want the best equipment, and you wouldn't care what it cost.

They are a problem in a lake that contains Northern Pike?? Those are some JUMBO goldies! I didn't measure many this year, some were pretty large. I think my biggest ones are still from Iowa, some over 12", and at least 2 that were in the 13"-14" range. This one: And this one:

Good for you! Did you manage to get yourself into any group photos?

Ah. I get it. Yeah, I don't ice fish anymore, since we moved here. A hand auger works fine in such situations with ice 8" or less. Later in the season in Iowa, the ice could get 8"-18" thick or more. When its that thick, you really appreciate a gas auger or electric auger. I gave all my ice gear away before we moved to StL. Actually, the IDNR usually cuts holes in the ice to do winter trout stockings with a chain saw! I guess there's more than one way to cut ice...

Do you ice-fish? I've caught common carp while icefishing, and I know a guy that would catch nice goldfish while icefishing....said they were really aggressive in the winter!

Some recaptures showed up, amongst the day's players.

8 Goldfish on Saturday (the 4 above were all Goldfish), and 18 Koi. Glad they were still active.

You get double points if you catch anything called a "Kraken".

Nice! 😀👍

Hey, @Troutnut69 ! What have you been up to? I enjoyed your blog posts of your fishing and camping expeditions for years! Looks like you took a 5 year hiatus from posting there? I hope all is well with you! 👍 😀

Hey! Me too! Went to Iowa State University for Genetics....but quickly changed my major to Biology. Took so many of the "animal" classes that I got a Minor in Fish & Wildlife Biology. Which is why I've been doing CAD work for civil engineering companies for @ 25 years. 😅 During college, I worked at a pharmacy, and did walleye aquaculture research in the college labs.

I've got Cabela's Guidewear bibs and coat. Warm stuff! I've used them for icefishing for years, and any other cold weather fishing. You will not get cold! Room for layers underneath. In winter, I usually wear a short-sleeve Tshirt, a long sleeve T-shirt, and a hoodie under these. But I've got the coat along with the bibs. Are you thinking of just getting the bibs?

This guy has it figured out...are these Tommy Hilfigers?: If you want something tighter...maybe these? Looks like extra reinforcing in the knees, which is a nice feature. 😄

Of course you are right @BilletHead. I've seen no baitfish at all the 2 times I've gone searching for these.

...more Koi:

After unsuccessfully trying for big striped fish in the river, I tried the koi pond. It was 36 degrees when I left the house that morning...wasn't sure if the fish would still be active in colder temps. They didn't seem to notice. I ended up with 15 Koi (66 for the year), and 5 Goldfish (71 for the year). Some really beautiful specimens in the mix! At least two Koi were recaptures from earlier this year. Goldfish: Koi: (recapture, above) (recapture, above and below is same fish)

That's a GREAT buck @JestersHK !! Congratulations to you! 👍👍 That rack looks much bigger than the shed I found while trout fishing in NE Iowa!

But when you score, you score BIG! I dunno how you do it. I went looking for them again on Saturday morning. At least I didn't get skunked this time. Caught just one little fish in the river. I just assume its ME. Like the time my buddy was catching big White Bass at the local reservoir in Iowa...he called me at work to tell me he'd been catching them for hours..and that I should come out during my lunch hour. I did. I pulled into the parking lot, I could see him still catching fish! As soon as I opened my car door, the fish disappeared suddenly and immediately. 😒 Anyway...my lack of success on Saturday morning made me choose to go fish for other things at other places. Enjoyed the day. 😁👍

Dang! Giant!