Welcome to Maxx Sports Guides
Walleye Ice Fishing Tips Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
Tips on Using Ice Fishing Jigs
from: Maxx Sports GuidesIce fishing jigs are certainly one of the most important lures to keep in your tackle box, and understanding the correct method of jigging for freshwater fish in lakes throughout the north is critical for catching that big fish. Incorrectly jigging results in few, if any, bites, even if fish are present in the area.
An important consideration about using an ice fishing jig is that success relies on the action of the lure, the bait used on the jig as well as action of the jig to attract the fish. Bait is an optional choice, but most ice fishermen use some kind of bait, a maggot, larva, pre-scented plastic bait or even a bit of fresh or frozen minnow if live is not available.
The next step is to find the jig action that seems to attract the fish. Ice fishing jigs are designed to mimic the action of a bait fishing moving up and down in the water, at about the level the fish are feeding. Depth finders and a fish locator are often ideal in helping to set the jig at the correct distance off the bottom.
The jig should then be bounced about 1 - 2 feet off the bottom, with a lag of 20 - 30 seconds between jigs. The motion can be more or less pronounced and it's important to keep varying the ice fishing jig motion until you find the action that starts the fish feeding.
The jig can also be moved from side to side, which is called "thrumming". To move the jig in a horizontal method, rapidly move the end or the rod or the tip of the rod back and forth rapidly. By the end of the line this will result in a 1 - 3 inch sideways movement as well as an up and down bobbing motion. Ice fishing jigs that work well in this presentation are the hard bodied or contoured type jigs with a baited hook presentation.
Bobbers are quite effective for depth control of jigs. Once you've had a nibble or landed a fish at one depth, try jigging one or two feet on either side of the jig to allow for maximum area coverage. Stay within the allowed number of lines for the body of water you're fishing, and if you're using tip-ups follow the distance regulations. Most fishing regulations require anglers to have a clear line of vision with all tip-ups in the water.
Walleye Ice Fishing Tips News