Besides one report of fishermen hitting the ice on a small pond in Yarmouth, fishable ice remains elusive on Cape Cod. Lee at Riverview Bait and Tackle had the ice report, but said the pond was only half-frozen. Remember, you want at least three inches of ice before you consider going ice-fishing. Right now, the safest bet is to continue to fish the open water for trout, bass, and pickerel.
Sheeps Pond has been producing trout reported Lee. Dead-sticking some PowerBait or shiners is likely to interest some cruising trout, but wading and walking with lures like the Rapala Countdown, Acme Kastmaster, and Yo-Zuri PINS minnow will also draw strikes.
AJ at Red Top reported that with no ice around, fishermen have been using shiners in open water and catching good numbers of bass. The shallow waters are still warm enough for bass to be active, AJ reported. Pickerel, too, are biting well on shiners. The cold nights this week put a skim on many lakes, but this weekend’s wind, coupled with temperatures in the 40s next week could open them back up.
Ice-fishermen will have to cast their hopes on February to provide fishable ice, because the 10-day forecast is unlikely to lock up the Cape’s lakes.
Best Bets for the Weekend
With big winds this weekend, it looks like a good time to organize the gear and do some winter reading. Or maybe to begin a new fishing project. If the wind and snow abates Sunday afternoon, it might be a good time to take some shiners for a swim at Sheeps Pond.