I have been ice fishing for a long time. In fact, I have been on the ice so long that I can tell you of times when we had no battery-powered augers, no depth finders, no ice suits, no flip over shelters. In addition, back in the day, the selection of ice tackle was very limited. For panfish, everyone fished with a “teardrop”. That teardrop-shaped jig was tipped with some kind of bait, usually a wax worm, but maybe a mousie or meal worm.
Time travel to 2024 and the variety of ice fishing baits available now is mind-boggling! Many of us have an jig box absolutely packed with a variety of jig styles, sizes and of course, colors.
So, how do you pick which one to tie on?
Many anglers are tying on whatever bait they have been told is the hottest, latest and greatest. That is how the tackle industry keeps making money. Of course, you will have to have that bait in purple with pink polka dots. Afterall, that is what the interwebs said you had to use (or insert your favorite colors here ______________ ).
Basic presentation theory, on the ice or open water, is that every bait or lure has a combination of attracting and triggering qualities. First, you have to attract a fish to your presentation. You have to get its attention. Then, you have to close the deal. You have to trigger that fish to strike. Start thinking of your presentations in those terms and how to apply them to different fishing situations. When you do that you can begin to make sense of all the options.
Some very basic differences in ice fishing baits, lures, is how they hang in the water. There are ice fishing lures that hang vertically and there are those that hang horizontally. Both work, both catch fish.
Which is best? Well, that depends! Depends on the situation. Choose the right tool for the job depending on the situation.
Years ago I posted a blog about those basic differences between horizontal and vertical ice fishing baits. Suggested some reasons and situations where each type of bait would be the right choice. If you wish, you can still go back and read it, Hang Time.
Recently, I found a YouTube video that talks about the same subject. It is probably a lot more interesting than reading one of my old blog posts.
There are a lot of good tips in that video. Mostly, I wanted to point out the application of vertical and horizontal ice fishing baits. There is some very useful knowledge dropped there.
Naturally, you know I have a few comments to add: First, the video specifically addresses catching crappies through the ice. Don’t mean nothing. Those presentation tips work for all panfish under the ice.
Obviously, the guys on camera mention specific baits made by specific companies. You know they have to represent their sponsors. Again, that don’t mean nothing. Certainly, the baits mentioned are good baits. Buy ’em. You could also buy a lot of others. The choice is yours. If you are like me, you will buy all of them!
I will tell you that like mentioned on the video, I will almost always have two rods rigged and ready while I am hole-hopping on the ice. My application of those presentations is pretty much exactly as indicated on the video. Sure, the exact baits tied on my rods are different. I have my favorites. Moreover, there are just a handful of baits that will be tied on those rods all winter long. Those baits will work all winter long. From time to time, based on what I am seeing on the ice, I will switch baits and fine tune presentations. But, I never sit staring at the jig box wondering what to tie on.
Most days, the two baits tied onto the jig rods at the beginning of the day will be the same two tied on at the end of the day, and the day after that, and the day after that. Seldom does it make any difference. Keep those baits in the water and keep ’em working.
If you want me to add one “secret tip”: On your panfish spoons, the vertical presentations, switch those treble hooks out for single hooks. You will hook and land more fish and the single hooks will be easier to remove and easier on the fish.
Other than that, you cannot catch ’em sitting at home on the couch!
Oh, and those old teardrops still catch fish!
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