ice fishing derby!!!!

[bobssandt]

hello everyone its john from bobs sport and tackle here just letting everyone know about our 1st annual ice fishing derby! jan 29th and 30th final weigh in is at #pm on sunday afternoon where we will find out the winners and draw for a raffle winner! along with the weigh in and raffle we will have 2 6ft wedges here and probably some hot food...venison chili and stew for anyone who wants to eat! The winnings will be the total sum of the entrees split into three categories 1/3 for the biggest legal fish(no bass) 1/3 for the biggest trout and 1/3 for the biggest panfish! we would really like there to be 100 entries so the category winners will get around 600+ per person! to enter sign up at bobs sport and tackle or wrap and roll deli! $20 per person kids under the age of 16 will be free and will be receiving prizes of ice fishing combos instead of cash...same categories apply! hopefully we see you guys soon!!!! have a great new year!!!

[VinnyH]

Jon,
Great!, I'll be there to take some photos and report on the event.
Best to All,
Vinny

[Chris]

Sounds good, I'm in.  Can we fish any local lakes we like or only one specific lake?

[bobssandt]

in this derby you may fish anywhere your heart desires as long as the fish is brought in by sunday at 3pm!

[Tom]

I am not an ice fisherman but I thought I would post this informational piece I picked off the web since many of us will be trying for the ice fishing derby, perhaps some of us would be ice fishing for the first time.

Ice Thickness for Ice Fishing

Less than 4 inches ? please don't go ice fishing. There is no reason to test the newly formed ice at this time. If you still proceed out, wear a life jacket, use ice picks in case you fall through and need to get out, and use a pole to poke the ice in front of you.

4-6 Inches ? Ice fishing, foot travel in single-file lines, and small spaced seating on the ice should be safe, presuming the ice is clear and clean. If you've gotten a lot of snow or had some recent warm spells be VERY careful for weak spots.

The recent heavy snow pack can actually weaken the ice by insulating it from the colder air and allowing the relatively warm water to erode the ice from underneath.

Good luck,
Tom

[canoejon]

That's really an over simplification. Jim Capossela's book, Ice Fishing, has a lot to say about ice safety and more. It was written with our reservoirs here in mind.I was taking crappie on Boyds the other day before the DEP came and announced it was closed for the season and one had to cross about ten to twenty feet of two inch black ice to get to thicker ice.....no problem.

[KenH]

Jon.
The DEP closed Boyds Corners to ice fishing for the season?
Is that because of a water level draw-down?

[Brooklynite]

Jon, thanks for the tip on Capossela's book. I'm expecting some slightly used tip-ups in soon from eBay so will be following up with you.

[canoejon]

I was there Friday AM with a friend. I left before the DEP showed up and chased him off saying they were closing it for the season. It is a reservoir that can fill up very quickly with all the hills surrounding it. I just wish the DEP could get their act together and could communicate a little better.

[canoejon]

Boyds is real low. About 20 feet or so, but it could supposedly fill up in a few rainy days. West Branch is also very low but not as low, maybe 10 or fifteen feet low. I was chased off West Branch a  few years ago by helicopter after the water level went down after there was good ice. I was told that would be a dangerous situation because the ice would be above the surface, but that wasn't the case at all. The ice continued to float on the water and broke in huge sheets along the edges. Getting on and off was just a matter of scrambling along the edges of the sheets. One would think it would make more sense to post a few signs if they want to close a reservoir... or maybe send out a mass email to all permit holders. It wasn't my intention to go where I'm not supposed to.

[scubatic]

Gentlemen are you ready for this competition???

[canoejon]

I wish I could make it but I've got to work Sunday. Sounds like a good time.

[VinnyH]

I'm not fishing but I'll be around. Anyone gonna be on Cross River Sunday morning?

Thanks,
VinnyH

[scubatic]

I will be there.

[mike.com]

i was coming up from Brooklyn. thisweekend but fresh snow on ice i might not