| Matt Johnson Outdoors Understanding Your Ice Tackle |
| Matt Johnson Outdoors |
By: Matt Johnson
Ice fishing tackle comes in all different shapes, sizes, colors,
weights…and the list does not stop there. Several lures can
be used for more than just one species, and others are
designed specifically for a certain species. With so many
options out there for ice anglers today, how do we choose
what will best fit our needs? Several tackle companies have
designed lures to fit the conditions that ice fishing brings, and
these companies have designed ice fishing tackle that is
effective on what’s swimming below the ice. Let’s learn about
some of lures out there available to ice anglers…
Most ice fishing tackle can be categorized as either vertical or
horizontal. Vertical jigs are when the shank of the hook runs
parallel to the line. Horizontal jigs are when the shank of the
hook runs perpendicular to the line. Exceptions would be
spoons and swimming lures. Spoons, like the JR’s Tackle
Flasher Spoon, Scenic Tackle Angel Eye, or the Phelps Glow
Spoon, would be classified as a vertical presentation.
Swimming lures, like The Minnow by JR’s Tackle, would be
classified as a horizontal presentation. Both spoons and
swimming lures come in a variety of different sizes and
actions. Some spoons will flutter and some will drop like a
rock. Swimming lures are designed to spiral as they drop in
the water column. This not only attracts fish, but it will trigger
them into striking as well.
Vertical jigs come in all shapes and sizes. The Shrimpo by
Custom Jigs and Spins and the Speckled Grub by Bad Dog
Lures are two productive vertical jigs. The Shrimpo is
equipped with a plastic finesse body that can work wonders
on days when the fish are in a negative mood. These plastic
finesse bodies can also be mixed and matched with different
colors and sizes as well. Vertical jigs are very versatile, and
can be used with just about any type of live-bait as well with
plastics to fit almost any situation. Vertical jigs are great for
tipping with minnows, because they will keep the minnow
looking natural when hooked behind the dorsal fin and this is
more appealing to the fish. Vertical jigs imitate much of what a
crappie or bluegill will feed on during the winter months.
Horizontal jigs are designed to give off a “kicking” motion
when jigged. The back end of the jig will bounce up and down
while the head of the jig holds relatively still. This is a very
productive technique that can have great success throughout
the winter months. The JR’s Tackle Pumpkinseed and the
Custom Jigs and Spins Ratso and Rat Finkee are good
examples of horizontal jigs. You can benefit from a horizontal
jig in tough conditions…a horizontal jig sits parallel to a fish’s
body, and the action of the horizontal jig already wants to
move “horizontally,” so when a bluegill inhales the bait you not
only have the hook in a position for a better hook-set, but you
also make is easier for the fish to inhale the jig. Horizontal jigs
also show up better on a flasher.
Using a float or bobber when ice fishing can have several
advantages. A float not only allows you to have a second line
in the water while you focus on your jigging presentation, but it
can also act as a strike indicator on a negative day. You want
to make sure that a float is properly balanced. This can be
very crucial when float fishing and a lot of missed fish are a
result of an unbalanced float. You want your float to be pulled
down with the slightest resistance, so when those light biting
crappies or walleyes come by and grab the bait they won’t feel
a thing. The Ice Buster Bobber by Today’s Tackle excels in
this category. The Ice Buster Bobber is a foam slip bobber that
can be cut down to match the weight of any presentation.
Having a rod rigged up with an Ice Buster Bobber is second
nature to me. You can fine tune the Ice Buster Bobber so that
just fraction of it is sticking out of the water, and even the
weight of a couple extra water droplets will pull it down. This is
a very effective tool to have when out on the ice.
Hopefully this will give you a better understanding of what’s in
your tackle box this winter, and what can be productive
throughout the winter months.
Ice fishing tackle comes in all different shapes, sizes, colors,
weights…and the list does not stop there. Several lures can
be used for more than just one species, and others are
designed specifically for a certain species. With so many
options out there for ice anglers today, how do we choose
what will best fit our needs? Several tackle companies have
designed lures to fit the conditions that ice fishing brings, and
these companies have designed ice fishing tackle that is
effective on what’s swimming below the ice. Let’s learn about
some of lures out there available to ice anglers…
Most ice fishing tackle can be categorized as either vertical or
horizontal. Vertical jigs are when the shank of the hook runs
parallel to the line. Horizontal jigs are when the shank of the
hook runs perpendicular to the line. Exceptions would be
spoons and swimming lures. Spoons, like the JR’s Tackle
Flasher Spoon, Scenic Tackle Angel Eye, or the Phelps Glow
Spoon, would be classified as a vertical presentation.
Swimming lures, like The Minnow by JR’s Tackle, would be
classified as a horizontal presentation. Both spoons and
swimming lures come in a variety of different sizes and
actions. Some spoons will flutter and some will drop like a
rock. Swimming lures are designed to spiral as they drop in
the water column. This not only attracts fish, but it will trigger
them into striking as well.
Vertical jigs come in all shapes and sizes. The Shrimpo by
Custom Jigs and Spins and the Speckled Grub by Bad Dog
Lures are two productive vertical jigs. The Shrimpo is
equipped with a plastic finesse body that can work wonders
on days when the fish are in a negative mood. These plastic
finesse bodies can also be mixed and matched with different
colors and sizes as well. Vertical jigs are very versatile, and
can be used with just about any type of live-bait as well with
plastics to fit almost any situation. Vertical jigs are great for
tipping with minnows, because they will keep the minnow
looking natural when hooked behind the dorsal fin and this is
more appealing to the fish. Vertical jigs imitate much of what a
crappie or bluegill will feed on during the winter months.
Horizontal jigs are designed to give off a “kicking” motion
when jigged. The back end of the jig will bounce up and down
while the head of the jig holds relatively still. This is a very
productive technique that can have great success throughout
the winter months. The JR’s Tackle Pumpkinseed and the
Custom Jigs and Spins Ratso and Rat Finkee are good
examples of horizontal jigs. You can benefit from a horizontal
jig in tough conditions…a horizontal jig sits parallel to a fish’s
body, and the action of the horizontal jig already wants to
move “horizontally,” so when a bluegill inhales the bait you not
only have the hook in a position for a better hook-set, but you
also make is easier for the fish to inhale the jig. Horizontal jigs
also show up better on a flasher.
Using a float or bobber when ice fishing can have several
advantages. A float not only allows you to have a second line
in the water while you focus on your jigging presentation, but it
can also act as a strike indicator on a negative day. You want
to make sure that a float is properly balanced. This can be
very crucial when float fishing and a lot of missed fish are a
result of an unbalanced float. You want your float to be pulled
down with the slightest resistance, so when those light biting
crappies or walleyes come by and grab the bait they won’t feel
a thing. The Ice Buster Bobber by Today’s Tackle excels in
this category. The Ice Buster Bobber is a foam slip bobber that
can be cut down to match the weight of any presentation.
Having a rod rigged up with an Ice Buster Bobber is second
nature to me. You can fine tune the Ice Buster Bobber so that
just fraction of it is sticking out of the water, and even the
weight of a couple extra water droplets will pull it down. This is
a very effective tool to have when out on the ice.
Hopefully this will give you a better understanding of what’s in
your tackle box this winter, and what can be productive
throughout the winter months.
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