The attempt to collect my own bait for the upcoming ice season has begun. Started over the weekend and have produced close to 2 dozen shineys so far. All from a small pond, behind some condos, right up the street from my house. 2 good pulls and one pull completely loaded with bullheads only. All shiners between 3"-4". Mostly commons but a few Goldens.

Another great pull last night. had close to 50 shiners in the trap and not a single bullhead. Threw back a lot of tiny ones, but still managed to keep about 30...

Skunked at the Concord River spot on an 8 hour soak. Retrieved my other trap at Apt Pond and had another 2 dozen. Set both traps at Apt pond for a 24 hour soak with rainstorm coming in.

Tried a new condo pond in Tewksbury by my old place, no luck. Old favorite neighborhood honey hole produced a bunch of bullheads again, but also got my biggest Golden so far, close to 6".

Seems the longer I soak the trap - the more bullheads show up.

Still no ice so we keep chasing bait. After this weekends snow I added a few more shiners to the tank. Very slow though, with two 24 hour soaks producing just 4 shiners