Ice Fishing For Walleye | Mystery Revealed

The winter season mostly comes with a lull and boredom. Ice fishing for walleye is certainly one of the surest ways of kicking out the boredom as it allows anglers, young and old, to be outdoors. Targetting walleye is the most popular among the anglers.

Ice Fishing For Walleye

There is an old joke that ice fishing is a sport many people try only once. It does not have to be this way. Let us first talk about the basics.

Safety

This is the most important part of ice fishing. Two inches of snow normally support an average person, six inches will carry a snowmobile, and ten inches will support a truck. To be on the safe side, overestimate these figures.

When going Walleye fishing, carry the required safety equipment and the ice fishing essentials. Metal cleats for ice fishing boots and ropes with loops or even life preservers because you will never know when they might come in handy.

Where to Find the Walleye fish

The unwritten starting point is that if a certain area usually has some fish when unfrozen, it will definitely have some when frozen. In the winter seasons, walleyes tend to position around spawning sites only moving to feed in predictable patterns.

Do not bother about the walleye migration pattern since it is usually completed by this time. Actually, finding walleyes under the ice is about knowing their movements and peak feeding time when they are chasing prey.

The easiest way to find a suitable spot for walleye is by finding the location of its prey species. Walleyes move to shallow waters as they search for prey. This can help you know where they are headed next.

A quality ice fish finder can make the challenge of Walleye fishing easier.

General Behavior of Walleye During Ice Fishing

Their feeding movements usually occur about ninety minutes before dusk and into the evening. Unlike other types of fish, Walleyes are not active at dawn but are very active in the evening.

They change their positions regularly though not over long distances. To counter this, learn their movements by knowing where their prey is located.

Walleye feeding habits are triggered by light. Any disruption in the light will trigger them to hunt. In low light, Walleyes come near the ice surface to feed.

Generally, Walleyes move from deep holding positions and move closer to the surface. Try looking for such points.

Walleye also prefer to hunt this underwater topography. They tend to group in shallow waters that offer good prey habitat and a drop-off.

Walleye Migratory Patterns

Walleye have both seasonal and daily movements. They spawn in the spring and water temperatures play an important role. Their ideal spawning temperature is around 48 degrees Fahrenheit and where temperatures are extreme; they absorb their eggs and forego spawning.

Walleye migration patterns have so many variations and are dissimilar regardless of the season. For instance, mature walleye migrate from wintering areas to spawning areas in the spring season. Stream spawning Walleyes migrate into creeks looking for gravels and rocks.

Most of the walleye populations only move over short distances.

Similarly, Walleyes have repetitive migration where they always return to their original locations for spawning. However, intermingling does occur among different walleye populations especially in areas where spawning areas are close.

Over time, these movements become permanent as the walleye population ages. After hatching, the walleyes are scattered by wind and currents. These new populations then repeat the cycle by finding a new spawning area and make it their permanent base.

Tips & Techniques That work In Ice Fishing For Walleye

Here are the tips that really work:

One)

Walleyes are mostly active in the evenings. To catch them, start cutting your holes at around midday. Locate a sweet spot by observing the walleye preys locations. This is where they are most likely to move.

Walleye Ice Fishing Tips And Techniques

Two)

Use flashy lures and baits. Walleyes are very smart; they will only go for baits that seem like the ‘real deal’. Also, keep your movements and noise to a minimum. Walleyes rely on their impressive senses to hunt. Therefore, they shy away from areas with a lot of movements and noise.

Three)

Try using minnows since they are bigger baits and are enticing to the walleye.

Four)

When fishing for walleyes during their non-feeding hours, cast your lines deeper. They are more likely to be at the bottom.

Five)

Use a second and different lure. The first will attract the walleye attention while the second one will entice it. When in tight spaces, jig closer to the water. Knowing a few jigging tricks will also come in handy. Whether by simple twitching or double pull, learn these tricks and you will not be disappointed.

Six)

Don’t forget the essential things for ice fishing. Make a shortlist of all the necessary items you need for catching fish. If you want to stay a long time on the ice, I recommend adding an ice fishing tent for better protection.

Lures and Baits for Walleye Fishing

Walleyes are aggressive hunters. Spoons, lipless crankbaits, and jigs that mimic small fish appearance are ideal choices. Use flashy baits and lures. Here are a few suggestions to get you going:

Use large size flash spoons of around 3/4 ounces. They move and flash mimicking prey when jigged.

Try the Rapala Jigging Rap since it hovers, darts turn and float like a sucker.

The Chubby Darter with its unique movements and shape mimics a fish in distress.

Use soft baits since they are more realistic and very enticing for walleyes.

You could also use jigs since they provide crazy actions that attract walleyes easily.

Minnows are an amazing way to catch walleyes. Apart from being bigger, they are also real fish. With minnows, you have a greater chance of catching bigger walleye. They are suitable for jigging too.

Another suitable option bait for jigging is the Lunkerhunt Wax Worm. They provide an excellent tip for your jig.

The Rigs and Rods For Walleye Ice Fishing

The best live bait rig for walleye fishing should have a mainline with a sliding slip sinker. Follow it up with Snell consisting of a swivel, the line, and lastly the hook. Most Snells range between 4 and 5 feet in length.

The rig should be bumped along the bottom in areas likely to hold the walleye.

When compared, longer Snells often have better results as compared to shorter snells in clear waters. Since stealth is an important factor in walleye, fishing anglers prefer to tie their own snells with lighter limp monofilament. Over the counter, options come with heavier lines.

When choosing a rod for walleye fishing, ensure it is strong enough for large fish weight and sensitive enough for you to feel the faint baits.

When trolling, you can forego the sensitivity and go for strength. Choosing the best rod can be a difficult decision. The length of the rod should be between 6 to 6.5 feet. If trolling, go for longer and stronger rods. For power, get a rod with medium-light or medium power for jigging.

The weight of your line should be directly proportional to the power of your rod. For walleye fishing, the optimum range is from five to 12 pounds. Lastly, get a rod that is of high quality and durable. Check for a comfortable handle too.

Some of the better tip-ups also come with rod holders. Read the instructions and verify if you can work with your favorite rod.

Walleye Fishing at Night or During the Day

Walleyes tend to be active around dusk when they come out to hunt and feed. At the other times, they are less active and as such, do not move much. This is mostly at dusk and dawn.

Depending on the time, you prefer to fish, it is important that you learn walleye behavior and movements. This will make it easy for you to find the right spot and technique to deploy when fishing.

At night when the walleye are most active, you can use the jigging and spinning ice fishing techniques. Since the walleyes are more mobile, your movements should be minimal hence the suitability of these two techniques. During this time, they are also closer to the ice surface and in shallow waters where they are more likely to find their prey.

Walleyes feed during early dawn though not as much as in the evening. This is the best time if you do not prefer to fish during the night.

The best technique to use when fishing during the day is trolling. This is because they are inactive for most of the day which will require you to move around a lot to find walleyes.

Depth for Walleye Fishing

The depth for walleye fishing depends on the time you are fishing and how active they are at that particular time. At night when the walleyes are more active, for example, you will find them near the ice surface. This is where the prey is most likely to be located. Therefore, you can cast your line shallow.

During the day, or when the walleyes are inactive, you will have to cast your line deeper near the bottom. You will have to troll them since when they are not feeding; walleyes will most likely be located at the bottom and making very few movements.

Let’s Watch A Video Before Catching Walleye

A video can make things really easier. Have fun!

Conclusion

Ice fishing is a nice pastime for the winter season. Your winters do not have to be cold and boring anymore. With this information, you can add a new hobby or pick it up if you have none. You never know it; ice fishing for walleye might turn out to be your best one after all.

Chasing the walleye around the ice is fun, addictive, and challenging. The real benefit comes after you have caught the walleye. Whether for sport or as a meal, achieving your goal can be refreshing. However, keep in mind the legal size of walleye you are allowed to fish.

Ice Fishing Essentials | Gear And Knowledge

Ice fishing is well-thought-out to be a rewarding sport; however, you do not want to be out on the ice deprived of the necessary provisions. Therefore, you will need ice fishing essentials (gear, tackle, and knowledge) to ensure you pierce through the ice comfortably.

Ice Fishing Essentials

Consequently, you will require some of the best fishing tackle for catching fish. In this article, we shall discuss them as well as some basic things you need to know for ice fishing.

Ice Fishing Essentials Today | Gear & Tackle

  • Five-gallon Bucket
  • Ice Scoop
  • Ice Auger
  • Jigs and Spikes
  • Rod and Reel Combo
  • Proper Dress
  • Tarp Straps
  • Gear
  • Shanty
  • Sonar
  • Tip-ups
  • Flasher/Fish Finder

Five-gallon bucket

A five-gallon bucket is often considered as the body of the ice fishing operation. This five-gallon bucket usually maintains the bait’s freshness, facilitates the transportation of the gear, plus is used as a seat and storage of the tackle.

The five-gallon bucket is a critical component for ice fishing, and surprisingly enough experienced anglers have this process useful in one way or another. Moreover, you can consider using a Frabill sit N-fish bucket since it is insulated with Styrofoam for storing your bait without freezing.

Ice Scoop

An ice scoop is a vital component of ice fishing. Once you drill a hole in the ice surface, often some portion of refuse will end up filling the channel. This slush subsequently hinders you from dropping the fishing line and landing fish. Thus, once you are done drilling, lower your ice scoop horizontally and then slowly lift the slush vertically. By doing this, water will filter through the discard, thereby pushing the slush to the side.

However, using a plastic scoop is not recommended since it hardens and becomes fragile in colder temperatures, unlike the metal scoop.

Ice Auger

The ice auger is the best tool for breaking through the fish and ice. Having a 4 to 5 ft. adjustable auger, which weighs 6 to 8 pounds, and a 6-inch diameter is essential for breaking through thick ice. Ice augers are usually affordable, and they are very useful when it comes to ice fishing.

It takes less than 30 seconds for the ice auger to cut through 1 foot of ice surface since the 6-inch diameter ice auger experiences less resistance. When fishing for fish weighing more than 5 pounds and drilling through an ice surface measuring more than 1 ft. with less effort, the 8-inch diameter ice drill is the best pick. Thus, an ice auger is an essential ice fishing equipment.

Ice Fishing Gear

Jigs and Spikes

The Jigs and spikes are one of the best ice fishing tackles. First, you start by pairing this tackle to a handful of Tungsten jigs with a couple of spikes maggots and then tying to the fishing line using a clinch knot. Afterward, you should ensure that your wick with spit and tightly secured before rotating the knot perpendicularly to the jig. In the middle of the tail, 2 to 3 spikes will suffice. Once the spike is secured, pinch the maggots to expose their insides. Despite being gross, this method is very effective when it comes to ice fishing since the scent produced attracts fish.

Rod and Reel Combo

Having a 28-inch medium power rod that maintains 4 to 8 pounds’ line rating and size 20 spinning reel is a versatile combo for ice fishing. Using a 6-pound fluorocarbon ice line with the rod and reel combo is perfect for fishing on the ice as it incorporates an incredible light-weight design and is ideal for targeting large predators such as Pike and Walleye.

Additionally, using the fluorocarbon line is vital since it prevents curls and twists, which often results in ice building on the line. The apparent consistency of the fluorocarbon line gives it a lower visibility presentation in comparison with the braid or monofilament. Lastly, because of its durability, fluorocarbon is perfect for ice fishing.

Dress Code

How you dress up during ice fishing is crucial since you be exposed to freezing temperatures. Despite ice fishing having incredible capabilities, it comes with a premium price. If you are a recreation angler having snow pants, gloves, hats, neck warmers, and boots for ice fishing are essential.

Having such winter clothes is ideal since you will be drilling, transporting, and setting up your fishing equipment. Therefore, for you to maintain your primary goal, which is to stay dry, you will have to purchase those clothes before starting ice fishing.

Tarp Straps

To transport your gear, use 3 to 4 trap straps with metal S-hooks measuring 2 to 3 ft. It can be challenging to carry and getting your equipment secured on a sled during a windy day or in a place with difficult terrain. Therefore, using a rubber strap is vital, unlike nylon or other material that serves as a terrible trap. Likewise, removing your gear from pure rubber is much easier when compared to clothes and plastics. Nevertheless, tarp traps are pocket-friendly, and they perform very well, thereby reduce frustration while fishing.

Gear

The more you carry unnecessary items when ice fishing, the more it takes time to set up everything. Having several unnecessary things will make you reluctant to move into a different location in case the ice fails to heat up. When going for ice fishing, it is recommended to carry some essential items such as a thermos bottle, ice auger, ice rods, tackle box, and reels.

Having such a few numbers of items makes it easy to set up or relocate, which is something critical in running and gunning. If you have many things to carry, you should use ice sleds.

Shanty

Often anglers disagree and say having a cabin is not necessary. However, having a shanty will help in protecting you against freezing winds. You can have a good popup shelter that is easy to set up and transport. Nonetheless, having a cabin will help in improving your fishing skills.

Ice fishing tents keep us warm and dry. We need to have one as we spend a long time on the ice.

Ice Fishing Shanty

Sonar

Having quality sonar is one of the ice fishing essentials. With good sonar, you will have the power to see the fish with precision. Without drilling any hole, you can use sonar to see the bottom of the ice surface and locate a fish quickly. As the fish moves via the cone of the sonar, a blip will

Tip-ups

Tip-ups are often the best when it comes to fishing in multiple holes at the same time. You will hook on your bait and then let it out to the depth you prefer. The good ice fishing tip-ups will help in suspending the bait, and once you have a strike, the device will tip up, and a signal is shown, which often a red flag.

Flasher/ Fish Finder

A flasher will help in two ways, and the first one is that it will help you locate any vegetation and depth. This will help you to choose the right fishing spot.

Secondly, a flasher will help you to mark a fish and indicate if the fish is interested in your jig. If you are jigging, the flasher will help you know if you need to lift or leave the bait. With fish finder, you can use it in offshore or kayak fishing.

Ice Fishing Essentials | Basic Knowledge

We must know the basics of ice fishing before going to face a long day on the ice. Here are two of the important rules of the ice game. But, we recommend going through the tips and techniques for ice fishing.

Where to drill

When you have all the ice fishing essential gadgets, you will now need to locate the best place to drill. Here are the three most critical steps that will help you to find the best place to dig;

Step 1

You should always look for a place that looks promising. Always check for the depth changes as well as vegetation by using a fish finder. Once you find your most preferred location, you can set up your cabin.

Step 2

Within your shanty, drill a perimeter. You should often drill as many holes as the number of your tip-ups. For a beginner, you can start with 5 to 10 holes.

Step 3

You will then set up your fish finder and jigging rod in the hole within your cabin. Place all your tip-ups in the fishing holes surrounding you. When placing the tip-ups, ensure that they are in a position where you see them quickly.

How long you should fish in a single hole

If you spend an hour on a hole without getting any action, you might move unless you wait for the pressure to drop or the afternoon where the temperature might be slightly high. Before you relocate, it is advisable to use a flasher to see if there are any fish within your hole. Once you spot a fish, then you will need to switch up your presentation instead of relocating. If you have spent an hour without spotting anything, then it’s high time you move to a different location.

Tip-ups are one of the must-have ice fishing essentials. With tip-ups, you will be able to cover lots of ground by yourself or a friend. You can up to 12 rods into the water at the same time while using tip-ups. On a good day, it can be tricky to keep up, and on a bad day, you will still be busy tending baits and jigging.

Know The Fish Behavior

Ice fishing can be different for different fishes. To make sure the better result, we should know about the fish we want to catch. We must know when they are active to play with them.

If I target ice fishing for catching walleye, it may not work with pike or trout. We may need to change the techniques, places, baits, lures, or even rods.

Conclusion

Before going for ice fishing, it is vital to check all of the fishing regulations and safety suggestions for the location and states you plan to go fishing. Having gone through this article, you now have a better idea of the essential ice fishing gear that will guarantee the success of your fishing trip.

Always fishing on frozen water means you have to walk on chilled water; therefore, it is essential to have boots with spikes. The spikes will make it easy to clamp down on any ice surface, making it comfortable to walk on the frozen water surface.

When it comes to gripping your jigging rod, the hockey tape works perfectly. The hockey tape was designed for ice and wrapping it around your jigging rod, and it improves the hold and comfortability. You can use lip balm in protecting your items, such as the fluorocarbon fishing line from freezing.

Ice Fishing Tips And Techniques For Sure Success

Some outdoor enthusiasts find ice fishing a great pastime during the cold months of winter. Without following the right ice fishing tips and techniques, your days are going to be hard and long with almost no success. The sport has changed over the years thanks to the invention of powerful types of equipment that make drilling holes less tasking.

Ice Fishing Tips And Techniques

With augers that are two or three times more powerful, fishers no longer need to drill single holes and hope fish will appear. They can make as many holes as long as they are within the designated fishing areas.

Ice fishing is slightly different from warm-weather fishing.  With the cold weather and low oxygen levels affecting fish behavior, the fishing techniques applied during the summer season may not be successful during winter. The text explains ideal techniques for ice fishing and tips to help you catch more fish with assurance.

Topics Covered In Ice Fishing Tips And Techniques

  1. When to catch fish
  2. Where to catch fish
  3. Making a hole in the ice
  4. Ice fishing techniques
  5. Ice fishing tips

1) When to Go for Ice Fishing

Avid anglers will agree that the best time to go for an ice fishing excursion is during the early and the later winter months. This is because early in the winter lakes have lots of dissolved oxygen as a result of photosynthesis. Since the process requires energy from the sun, it only occurs during daylight.

At night, aquatic plants produce oxygen which fish need for survival. However, in the late fall and winter, the daylight periods are shorter, causing plants to die and the amount of oxygen produced to reduce. As a result, fish become less active. Plantlife resumes during later winter months as the daylight hours increase and oxygen levels increase.

Savvy anglers also cite that ice fishing is more productive in the early and later winter months because traveling on the ice is a lot easier. During the first winter, months have less snow, the ice forms quickly and is stronger. Once the snow load builds, it gets difficult to navigate the ice fishing scene.

Anglers fishing mid-winter may be successful if they explore the deep structures, e.g., in the mid-lake rock piles and humps. As the spawning period and spring get closer, the fish begin moving to shallower areas where they stayed during the first ice.

2) Where to Catch Fish

The short, cold days also affect where fish live hence the need to identify potential areas for catching fish. Here are some tips:

  • Areas with live vegetation: When drilling holes, look for areas with live vegetation; most fish move closer to healthy weed beds as the winter progresses. Shallow lakes support plenty of underwater foliage throughout the winter hence potential areas for catching fish. Some lakes for ice fishing in the USA are already famous.
  • Areas adjacent to steep drop-offs: Locations adjacent to steep drop-offs also make prime spots for catching fish during winter. They are good sources of prey, oxygen, and shelter, and are easy to access.
  • Muddy bottoms: The bluegill and other panfish feed on different invertebrate species throughout the season. Most of these species live in muddy sticky bottoms, making them prime areas for catching fish.

3) Making a Hole in the Ice

When making holes look for areas that have attained the recommended thickness of the ice, i.e., four inches. If you are planning to pitch a tent or an ice hut, 7-12 inches of ice are required. A hand or gasoline-powered drill comes in handy though conservatives may use an ice chisel to drill the holes.

The hole should be 8-10 inches wide. Also, choose days when the temperature is above zero degrees; temperatures lower than 20 degrees Fahrenheit, make it difficult to keep the hole open.  Be sure to steer clear of areas with rotten ice usually identified by discoloration, holes, cracks, breaks, water flows, and pressure ridges.

4) Ice Fishing Techniques

The idea is to use a technique that allows you to move the bait slowly to attract fish. Fish don’t release as much energy during winter; thus, they are slow to move and slow to react. If you move the bait too fast, the fish might release it to save energy.

Ice Fishing Tips Techniques

Light-rod Fishing

When using this technique, you may purchase an ice fishing rod or use the regular summer rod. The rod works well with a spring bobber as it signals even the slightest bites. However, when left in a fishing hole, the bobber forms an ice rim around it, making it more difficult to perceive any motions that would indicate a bite.

Live or artificial jigging lures and baits are also ideal when using this technique. The best live bait is the maggot, and the wax warms as long as you keep them warm until you are ready to position them on the hook.

Once you start fishing, start with a long line cast at the bottom and wait. Move the line up and down gently, slowly, and steadily. If you don’t achieve a bite, move further up the water column and repeat the process. You can use a fish finder or an underwater camera to locate the fish.

Spear Fishing

This conventional ice fishing technique involves the use of a multi-pronged spear to stab the fish in the hole. The angler needs extreme concentration when using this method and may add baitfish or minnows to entice passing fish.

Be sure to attach a string on the spear, so a missed throw does not lead to the loss of a spear. Acquaint yourself with the rules and restrictions of spearfishing as some states restrict the type of fish caught using this technique.

Tip-Up Fishing

This technique uses a tip-up device that allows fishers to fish from different holes without being compelled to watch one. The device straddles the hole and suspends a baited hook at a specific depth within the water body below.

The angler may use a fish-finder to determine the depth of most fish. With this information, the angler positions the tip-up for that depth and proceeds to another hole. You don’t have to keep an eye on the rig since the tug on the line signals when the fish bites.

To get the most out of this method, rig the equipment with a clear fluorocarbon line and use thin lines whenever possible. The hooks and sinkers should be small and practical to set light tip-up triggers, so when a fish bites, it does not feel any resistance. The quality tip-ups should be freezeproof and wind-resistant.

Clubbing

Modern anglers hardly use this conventional method. The angler walks on clear ice, and when he sees a large fish under the ice, he slams it directly onto the ice using a massive club. This action stuns the fish temporarily allowing the fisher to cut a hole and remove the fish.

One benefit of clubbing over other ice fishing techniques is that the angler needs little gear and does not need to head farther from the shallow waters near the shore.

10 Ice Fishing Tips

To ensure a nice and successful day on the ice, we need to combine the ice fishing tips and techniques according to the situation demands.

Ice Fishing Tips

The practice and common sense will open your eyes slowly. Here are the recommendations for those who want to master the art of ice fishing:

Make Subtle Presentations

Anglers need to make more subtle presentations that tempt and tease the fish into biting. It explains why passive fishing techniques like tip-ups help catch more fish during winter.

This presentation also applies to other ice fishing techniques like jigging. The movement imparted to the lure should be toned down to avoid startling the prey. Lures that sink slower are more productive than those that drop quickly.

For example, jigging spoons are ideal for catching pike, trout, and other winter species. This method works great in walleye ice fishing also. However, the most productive spoons are the wide-shaped lures with a thin construction because they sink slowly and flap downwards. Heavier slab style spoons fall faster hence may not do as well as in open water periods of the year.

Tip the Jigging Spoons

This ice-fishing technique reduces the sinking rate of the jigging lures. Pike and walleye anglers who often use lead head jigs tip the jigs with live minnows. You can dress the jig with a soft plastic body before tipping it with a live minnow.

Bulking up the jig with live and plastic bait minimizes the sinking rate and allows nearby fish to enjoy a more extended reaction period. Fishers can apply the same concept when catching panfish like crappie and perch. However, for this type of fish, anglers should use panfish specific lures along with traditional live baits like wax worms, minnows, spikes, and maggots.

If catching bluegills use 2-4 maggots or spikes at a time to reduce the drop time of the teardrop or the jig. It also ensures the bait does not slip off from the hook.

Cover the Hole

If ice fishing in shallow waters, leave some ice shavings in the hole to prevent light from penetrating. This tip applies to both clear and stained waters. However if looking to catch a crappie, allow some light through as it may attract small plankton which in turn draws the crappie.

Twist the Line

Most fishers move the jig in an up and down motion. Since most prey is accustomed to this presentation, it barely reacts to it. You can try twisting the line by holding it between the index finger and thumb and turning it between the fingers.

The movement causes the jig to spin without adjusting its depth. Also, anglers fishing in shallow waters should try moving the bait around the perimeter of the hole without making any up and down motions.

Switch from Live to Plastic Bait

Bluegills and other panfish can get so used to live bait that they barely respond. In such scenarios, use a small 1/80 round head jig that has a silvery plastic feature. The plastic tails shake even at the slightest movement of the tip.

Bounce the Bait at the Bottom

Prey like perch feed within a few inches of the bottom. Allowing the jig to bounce off the base causes a small cloud of debris and sound to attract fish from a distance. This trick also works on bluegills.

Be Mobile

It is tempting to remain in one spot for a long time. However, if you have been jigging a hole for more than a few minutes, have changed lures and presentation without catching fish, it’s time to move. The test holes may pay off as you discover other areas.

For moving it’s important to select the essentials for ice fishing according to your needs. Don’t go with too many unnecessary things that will make you work too hard on the ice. But, never forget to go with an adequate ice fishing boot. If you have a light-weight portable ice fishing shelter, it will be definitely easy to move. For moving with ease you can use sleds for ice fishing.

Change the Size of the Jig

Most anglers are quick to change the color of the jig after a few minutes of inactivity. This trick does not always guarantee success; instead, the fisher should switch to a larger or smaller jig depending on the type of bait he is using.

For example, if you are using a red fishing jig and size 10 Teardrop and have caught fish, switch to a size six teardrop which is twice as large but in the same color. You may find a few bigger bluegills.

Use a Strong Fishing Line

Anglers fishing in deep water should avoid using extremely light monofilament lines. Their light construction causes them to stretch so far it becomes difficult to detect light bites.

Instead, anglers should use a super line designed for ice fishing. The line is firm and does not stretch excessively making it easy to detect bites and catch more fish in deep water.

Chumming

Be sure to check with the local fisheries department to ascertain if it is legal to try this technique. Chumming involves crushing a few worms, minnows or spikes and dropping them in the hole. You may attract more fish to the area and cause them to feed more aggressively.

Let’s Watch a Video About Ice Fishing

How to jig for ice fishing?

Conclusion

The winter season presents unique challenges to anglers. Knowing how this climate affects fish feeding habits and habitat makes your winter fishing and ice fishing trips effortless. With this guide, you are thoroughly acquainted with the best ice fishing tips and techniques and how you can catch more fish.

Hope you every success in your ice fishing days!

Exit mobile version