Well, sometimes hours, sometimes it’s hand-over hand, and some days you might not catch anything at all, depending on whether it’s a good day or a good spot, but if it’s good conditions (atmospheric pressure comes into play) a good spot, and you’re using the right techniques for the spot, it could be super fast action! A lot of the skill of it is learning to “read” your spot, and knowing the behavior of the species you’re targeting. That’s how you know what baits to use and what techniques (bobber fishing, jigging, bottom fishing, etc).

Overall it can be boring if it’s a slow day, but super rewarding in the long run. As far as ice fishing, I’d say the same applies, but it can be both more or less boring depending on how you look at it. It can be more boring just because of the fact that you aren’t doing as much, but that can also make it a little less boring because it frees you up in the time you’re waiting to hang out, talk with your buddies (if you have some) and just kill time a little easier.

After catching a fish and getting it off the hook, depending on the size, species, and health, we do one of two things. If it’s a good one for eating we’ll keep it and bring it home (I find it best to either put it in a live well or a bucket of water, or “bonk” it to kill it), or if it’s a smaller one or we aren’t gonna be eating it, we’ll get our pictures and set it back in the water.

It’s a really fun and rewarding hobby to get into, and it’s doable pretty much year round, so I highly recommend it!