Ice Fishing

Ice Fishing Plastics vs. Live Bait

February 28, 2017 by Robert Johnson

The issue as to which is the better bait, live or artificial, has long been discussed by many anglers. Particularly in ice fishing, more and more ice anglers are becoming convinced of how useful ice fishing plastics are when it comes to catching larger fish.

Advantages of Plastic Ice Fishing Bait

You don’t have to buy live bait when going ice fishing.
No need to be concerned with preserving the live bait left after the day’s fishing.
You don’t always need to add new bait for catching another fish. After catching that beautiful panfish, you can use the same plastic bait to cast again.

Another thing about using ice fishing plastics is that you can get a successive catch. After reeling in your line, cast immediately without transitioning your bait.

Once you have found a populated spot, the last thing you want to do is take time rigging more bait. You can easily avoid missing out on more fish by using plastics.

It is important to remember that your bait will not simply attract fish on their own. You have to make an effort to jig your plastic bait properly. By properly jigging your bait, you will attract more fish in dense areas quickly.

Casting Your Plastic Bait

First, make sure that your bait is properly placed. After hooking it to your line, try putting it just below the water and see if it’s stable or spinning. You want the bait to be stable. However, it is OK for it to be spinning slightly.

Second, to attract fish with plastics, you need to make your bait look alive. Jig your bait vertically about three times every 5 to 10 seconds. This will give the effect of it being alive to the fish.

You may also try positioning your soft ice fishing plastics on your jig to produce a different action to your bait. This will increase the chances of actually catching something. One of the most popular jigs that are used by anglers is the wacky worm placement. This is where you hook your soft bait at the middle of the body so that both ends wiggle.

Finding Good Fishing Spots

During the first days of winter, try to cast closer to the weed edges. This is where crappies and walleyes linger typically. Usually, you can find them around four feet to 14 feet below the water. Try to stay away from brown weeds as they are highly unlikely to be populated with any fish. The dying plants will absorb oxygen near them, making fish unlikely to come near.

Always remember that the bigger the fish you want to catch, the bigger your jigs should be. Crappies don’t usually bite large baits, while walleyes don’t settle for small baits. So the size and kind of fish you catch depends on the size of your bait.

Wrap Up

Ice fishing plastics are an affordable and efficient way to catch more fish. Once you get plastics, you can quit wasting time picking up live crawlers on your way to the ice.

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Inline Ice Fishing Reel

February 28, 2017 by Nick Simpson

A fishing reel is a device attached to your fishing rod that stows and controls the rods line. In this article we will discuss inline ice fishing reels and other types of popular reels on the market.

Different Types of Fishing Reels

Spin Cast

Spin cast reels are made for beginners since it is very user-friendly and easy to use. Mostly used by kids who just started to fish. All you have to do to release your line is press the button on the back of the reel when your casting forward.

Spinning

Spinning reels are by far one of the most popular reels on the market. Most spinning reels are located at the bottom most part of the rod. When casting, you will have to open the bail and clench the line with your fingers to keep the lure from falling. It is important to note that this is an open-faced design.

Bait Casting

Bait casting reels are the most advanced compared to the spin cast reel and spinning reel. It is the conventional reel. Preferably use by fishermen if they are planning to catch bigger and stronger fish. Operating the bait casting reel requires more skills because you will be the one to control the line using your thumb.

Trolling

These reels are slightly similar to the bait casting reel but not meant for casting. Trolling bigger fish is easier with this reel especially those species on various depths.

Inline Ice Fishing Reel

The inline ice fishing reels are famous because of their zero line twist. Your line is also less likely to come unspun. Overall, it is the best option when you are fishing in any deep or shallow water.

Inline Reel vs. Typical Spinning

Inline reels give you a minimal spin on your jig.
One of the biggest advantages is that an Inline reel does not have any line twist. This is very great to use when catching bigger fish. Spinning reels have more problems with twisted fishing lines.
The line is never spinning in circles, making it more natural. You also avoid having your bait move around and face in many different directions.
Inline reels are much easier to use, especially with ice fishing.

Choosing the Best Inline Ice Fishing Reels

One feature of a good inline reel is the trigger system. With inline reels, all you have to do is pull the trigger when you cast for the spool to freely spin. Making it very easy for you to cast at further depths. You will also want to choose a durable reel that can withstand cold weather conditions.

In ice fishing, the automatic spinning feature of the inline reel will save you time from untwisting your lines. The more time you have, the more traps you will be able to set.

Conclusion:

Make sure you look at multiple brands and review the features prior to buying an inline reel. Just like any other fishing gear, the gear you choose matters. Take the time to find the best ice fishing reel for your rod.

Ice Fishing Spoons Tips to Hooking More Fish

February 28, 2017 by Robert Johnson

Have you been looking for the best ice fishing spoons, but you cannot find any on the market?

If you want to find the one you’ve been searching for, then tinker your current spoons and do as you wish to make it as effective in catching fish as you want it to be.

As for ice fishing, tinkering with your angling spoons is not that common yet. That is, when we are comparing to open water fishing. Some anglers are already doing this, and the results are promising. Try to tinker with your own to increase your spoons visibility and attractiveness to fish. You will end up going home with a bucket full of fish.

Putting On the Prism:

Prism is an adhesive tape with foil on the outside. Anglers will cut the prism into the shape they need and tape them to their lure. This will cause your lure to shine thus attracting predatory fish to your line.

The prism helps reflect light off your spoon. This helps increase your spoons visibility to the fish, even in cloudy waters.

Prism tapes come in a variety of colors. You can tweak the color of your spoon to make it more attractive and alluring. Walleyes, for example, are more attracted to a color combination of green, red, orange, and yellow. Taping your spoon with these colors can increase your spoons visibility and your chances of hooking a walleye.

Making Some Sound:

Making rattling sounds in your ice fishing spoons can also increase your spoons visibility. This will draw the attention of marine predators towards your bait. Having your lure produce sounds to basically queue the fish for “food.” There are already many lures on the market today that have dangles and other additions to produce sound. You can buy them, or you can make your own modification to your favorite spoon.

Just attach a plastic or steel worm rattle onto the belly of your fishing spoon to add these sounds to your lure. Don’t worry about the movement of your spoon. The rattles are lightweight, so they will not affect how your spoon moves through the water.

Toss In Some Feathers

The feathers help you provide more flash and color to your lure. They are light, so just like the worm rattle, they won’t affect the fluidity of your spoon. Alos, be sure that the feathers compliment the size of your spoon.

Super-Size Those Hooks

Don’t miss a trophy size catch because your hook was too small. This means that the fish can easily escape your grasp. Larger hooks give you a more prominent chance that the fish will be caught. Don’t settle for the defaults attached to the bait when you purchased. Tinker around and replace it with one that’s super-sized.

Make your bait noticeable to the fish by producing a sound under water. Then once they hear it, further attract them with your spoon’s colors and shimmering flashes. As the fish draw closer towards your bait to grab their “food,” this will make sure they won’t get away. Catch them with your new monster hooks.

Increase the visibility of your ice fishing spoons more efficient by tinkering and modifying them.

Ice Fishing Perch How To’s

February 23, 2017 by Robert Johnson

Perch are among the marine life that are most commonly sought after by ice anglers. This is because they have sweet and moderately soft meat making them a desirable meal. When ice fishing perch there are a few things you must keep in mind.

Some Tips for Ice Fishing Perch:

If you want to catch more Perch, the first thing you should be aware of is the location you’re angling in. Live baits and attractive lures are of no use if there aren’t any fish in the area you are ice looking for Perch in.

Secondly is how you present your bait or lure. Seeing everyone on the lake catching Perch except for you can be discouraging. It is not only about finding the location of these fish. In order to catch them, you have to attract them and get them interested in your bait.

You can try ice fishing perch anytime of the day. However, some factors such as the changing of light can affect their movement and feeding habits. These fish are usually active both at night and during the day.

Perch Ice Angling Location:

During summer, Perch are usually scattered around the lake making them harder to find. However, winter provides ice anglers with extra luck for hooking Perch. They tend to pop up in large schools from the deep parts of the lake during the cold season.

Similar to the Sunfish and Crappie, Perch can be found in the deep water. Unlike these fish, they will inhabit water at further depths as well. They prefer to remain closer to the bottom of the lake, like the Walleye, especially when they’re hungry.

In the early days of winter, they can usually be found near the weeds in the shallow areas. Drop-off (or break points) of the lake are another area they choose to linger.

During mid-winter, minnows, and zooplanktons are the main food for Perch. They move into the deep basin of the lake. At this time, you may find them in nearest the deeper sections of the lake or waterbed.

Later in the cold season, Perch start to spawn. When this starts, they tend to move near the weeds and vegetation to lay their eggs. This is why you will find them swimming in multiple domains throughout the year.

Now that you have an idea on where you should go ice fishing perch, the next challenge is how to hook them.

Perch Ice Fishing Presentation:

Vertical spoons with live bait on the hook will help substantially with catching Perch.

One of the best ways to attract a Perch is by jigging your lure. This is done by quickly moving your lure about a foot from its original position under water. Then you allow it to drop back by moving the tip of your rod up and down.

Raise and then drop your rod about every five to ten seconds. If you do not have a sonar with you, start at the bottom of the water. Gradually pull your lure up while still jigging, until you get a bite. If your lure reaches the surface, cast your lure again and start jigging it.

You would be very lucky to hook a Perch on your first attempt of jigging. So don’t become discouraged. Try again, and your chances of catching them will go up.

Now that you have an idea on how to find them, get your equipment ready and start ice fishing for Perch.

Ice Fishing Jacket to Keep Your Core Insulated

February 23, 2017February 23, 2017 by Robert Johnson

When angling on a frozen lake during the winter time, frigid temperatures will be a serious factor in your experience. Ice fishing is more fun than regular fishing, given that you are well prepared. You will need to bring your best ice fishing rod, your reel, and all the bait/tackle you can think of. Did you prepare for the bitter cold as well? You will need a warm ice fishing jacket to keep your core well heated.

Fishing in the dead of winter can be very annoying if you are not prepped for the freezing temperatures. Make sure you wear the proper ice angling apparel for fishing in the cold, including insulated shirts, warm pants. Layer both your top and bottom half of your body by wearing bibs and finally, an ice fishing jacket.

What Makes Good Ice Fishing Clothing?

Underwear and other clothing made with cotton will NOT help you stay dry and warm. Cotton absorbs moisture to your body, either from the environment or your sweat after dragging your sled and boring your fishing holes. When the moisture begins cooling on your body, you’ll start to freeze.

You should choose ice angling apparel made of materials which draw moisture off of your body. Clothes made from polyester are a great alternative. Moisture from the cold and sweat are not absorbed by polyester fabric which means you will stay dry and warm.

How to Dress with the Proper Ice Angling Apparel?

Knowing the materials of the clothes that you should use, the next step is the kind of clothing you need to wear. To keep you warm, layers of insulated clothing should be worn. Each layer has its purpose to help you retain your internal temperature.

The innermost layer, composed of underwear, long underwear, and socks should be made of materials that pull moisture from your body. Make sure all undergarments fit you so they can properly hold the moisture and draw it off from your body. This component is crucial in keeping you dry.

The second layer (or layers) of your ice angling apparel is for regulating your body temperature. The primary purpose of this layer is to hold the heat in your body, but not sweat. Drawing moisture both from the environment and your body is the point here. A cotton-polyester blend will do the job, and so will a blend of polyester-wool.

This is also the most adjustable layer where you can customize your clothing based on your activities and the weather conditions. So if you are initially wearing a hoodie and a vest you can remove the vest when you get too warm. After hiking through the snow and setting up your shelter, you will probably be sweating. Just put it back again when you feel that it’s getting colder.

The third, outermost layer is your protective layer. It should protect your insulation clothing from snow. Snow will eventually melt into your ice angling apparel and should help you keep the warmth in the core of your body. Get waterproof and wind-proof ice fishing jacket or bib, and boots with thick soles and sound insulation. Make sure that the outermost layer can also draw out moisture.

After layering your clothing, keep the other parts of your body warm with insulated hats, scarves, and gloves.

Striker Angling Apparel

Using an anglers jacket made by Striker can give you the best possible insulation that you can find. Their brand is a leading contender when it comes to ice angling apparel and gear. Check out the wide variety of options they offer.

Now that your body is set for ice fishing, you won’t have to worry about going home early because you’re freezing.