A 'run-and-gun' approach, time with friends can make late-season ice fishing a blast

The tungsten icefishing jig had just about reached the bottom of a local lake when the spring bobber on the end of my fishing rod twitched ever so slightly. Instinctively, I set the hook and was soon playing tug o’ war with a chunky bluegill that was intent on winning the game. “This one has some shoulders on it!” I informed my buddy, fellow writer Eric Atherton, who was fishing not far from me. Eric had already caught and released a few crappies and bluegills before I hooked my first fish. A couple seconds later, I hoisted an honest eight-inch slab out of the hole and paused for a minute to admire its iridescent scales and dark earflaps. Then I slid the fish into the...