Night Ice

By Jimmy FeeJanuary 31, 2014

Every winter, if the ponds lock up around the On The Water office, there’s talk of cashing in on the nighttime crappie bite through the ice. Thursday night was my third attempt at night ice crappie, and my third skunk. Truth be told, the crappie are more of an excuse to get together, have a couple beers and take in the eerie beauty of a frozen pond after dark.

Attaching a glowstick to the tip-ups helps spot the flags in the dark.

Ryan Bibeau makes sure his shiner is still frisky enough to attract the nighttime crappie. — Ryan Bibeau makes sure his shiner is still frisky.

The OTW Night Ice Crew wasn't totally skunked. A lone bullhead did create some momentary excitement. — The OTW Night Ice Crew wasn’t totally skunked. A lone bullhead made for some momentary excitement.

Between the bright stars and the booming sound the ice makes as it expands, nighttime ice fishing is worth the trip - even if the crappie night bite is a myth. — Between the bright stars and the booming sound the ice makes as it expands, nighttime ice fishing is worth the trip – even if the after-dark crappie bite is a myth.

Jimmy Fee

Jimmy Fee is the Editor of On The Water and a lifelong surfcaster. He grew up fishing the bridges and beaches of Southern New Jersey before moving to Cape Cod in his early 20s. He's pursued striped bass from North Carolina to Massachusetts. He began with On The Water in 2008, and since then has covered a variety of Northeast fisheries from small pond panfish to bluewater billfish in the through writing, video, and podcasting.

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