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Q:
sorry for posting so many questions(im 13)but im interested in ice fishing and would like to learn about what baitso use for what fish, etc. any and all info welcome!
Question by big buck hunter7. Uploaded on December 17, 2011
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Answers (9)
Most people use mousies or wax worms on small jigs for panfish, minnows on tip ups are good for northern pike. "Swedish Pimples" (a jig) are good for lake trout and other fish, some Green Bay anglers add a wet fly above the Swedish pimple for whitefish. I have heard that pieces of pork rind can be a good substitute for other bait (I will be trying this later this winter). You can collect your own bait by looking for galls on the dead goldenrods - cut them open carefully and you will find some excellent bait inside.
It's good that a young man like yourself wants to learn these things. When I grew up I had the benefit of all that handed down knowledge from my father, grandfathers and uncles not to mention my group of friends. I handed this knowledge down to my kids and I'm starting to pass it on to my grand kids. When it comes to ice fishing you don't need a big investment to get started. A stick with some line a hook and a split-shot and something for bait is all you need. Go out to a lake where there are people ice fishing and ask someone to drill a hole in the ice for you, I've done this for people allot of times. If your as respectful as you have been here allot of guys will be more than willing to give you tips and info and may even loan some equipment. Just take the first step and get started and in a couple of years you'll be giving us tips. Good Luck.
I think it is wonderful that you want to learn, and I have to say I really dont know mush about Icefishing. I do know about Saltwater fishing though, so if you ever need to know about that or hunting look me up. Keep the questions coming darlin, most everyone on this site will be more that willing to help you!
Post as many questions as you like! This is what it is for!
Ice fishing is one of my favorite things to do. You can start out fairly inexpensively as well. Get a simple ultralight ice rod & reel (with a nice flexible tip). Use grubs and minnows. Maybe get a nice shiny spoon. Keep it simple though.
Get a depth finder weight you can attach to the end of your line to figure out the depth of where you are fishing. It's important because fish are picky in the winter, and different fish are different levels in the water.
You need an auger (8" diameter) or know someone who has one. And an ice scoop.
Depending on where you are, get a couple of "tip-ups" to really have some fun! Check your state regs to see how many lines you can have though.
Most important, make sure you are safe. The ice need to be thick, and maybe you don't guy by yourself until you are older.
My favorite is a gold or silvr kastmaster with a minnow head or pink spikes
Woodswalker:today I collected about 50 galls. I cut a few open but the little grub inside was brown and looked like it was dead, but im sure it wasnt. So I put them in my garage in hopes that they would "come back to life" from the raise in temp. I will let u know if I catch anything on them. Thanks for the tip!
Dont worry about asking questions buddy, thats how you learn. If you are just pan fishing its pretty tough to beat a big juicy wax worm. Sometimes i will use spikes or wigglers too. use small tear drops and one small sinker about a foot above your hook. the sinker will just help your bait get to the bottom faster and its alot easier to feel bottom with a little extra weight. Drop your rig all the way to the bottom and real up about a foot and start jigging. dont be afraid to jig at different depths too. good luck and hopefully you let us know how you do.
I would most likely use wax worms for panfish like sunfish and crapie, but jigs with minnows would work for crapie and some wallies, and for northern you would use a bigger minnow with just a hook and a sinker i fing this works very well for me, make sure you keep the bait about a foot, or foot and a half off the bottom for panfish, but it comes with expeiriance. You will find out where the fish are.
If you don't know where to fish, find a group of people already fishing on the lake your going to fish. Don't be afraid to punch a bunch of wholes at different depths. Or move around fishing holes not being used. If you don't know how far down you should put your jig, lure or bait, work your way up from the bottom a few inches at a time. I catch most of my fish within the first foot-and-a-half to two feet of the bottom or within a foot of the top of weedy area.
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Most people use mousies or wax worms on small jigs for panfish, minnows on tip ups are good for northern pike. "Swedish Pimples" (a jig) are good for lake trout and other fish, some Green Bay anglers add a wet fly above the Swedish pimple for whitefish. I have heard that pieces of pork rind can be a good substitute for other bait (I will be trying this later this winter). You can collect your own bait by looking for galls on the dead goldenrods - cut them open carefully and you will find some excellent bait inside.
It's good that a young man like yourself wants to learn these things. When I grew up I had the benefit of all that handed down knowledge from my father, grandfathers and uncles not to mention my group of friends. I handed this knowledge down to my kids and I'm starting to pass it on to my grand kids. When it comes to ice fishing you don't need a big investment to get started. A stick with some line a hook and a split-shot and something for bait is all you need. Go out to a lake where there are people ice fishing and ask someone to drill a hole in the ice for you, I've done this for people allot of times. If your as respectful as you have been here allot of guys will be more than willing to give you tips and info and may even loan some equipment. Just take the first step and get started and in a couple of years you'll be giving us tips. Good Luck.
I think it is wonderful that you want to learn, and I have to say I really dont know mush about Icefishing. I do know about Saltwater fishing though, so if you ever need to know about that or hunting look me up. Keep the questions coming darlin, most everyone on this site will be more that willing to help you!
I would most likely use wax worms for panfish like sunfish and crapie, but jigs with minnows would work for crapie and some wallies, and for northern you would use a bigger minnow with just a hook and a sinker i fing this works very well for me, make sure you keep the bait about a foot, or foot and a half off the bottom for panfish, but it comes with expeiriance. You will find out where the fish are.
Post as many questions as you like! This is what it is for!
Ice fishing is one of my favorite things to do. You can start out fairly inexpensively as well. Get a simple ultralight ice rod & reel (with a nice flexible tip). Use grubs and minnows. Maybe get a nice shiny spoon. Keep it simple though.
Get a depth finder weight you can attach to the end of your line to figure out the depth of where you are fishing. It's important because fish are picky in the winter, and different fish are different levels in the water.
You need an auger (8" diameter) or know someone who has one. And an ice scoop.
Depending on where you are, get a couple of "tip-ups" to really have some fun! Check your state regs to see how many lines you can have though.
Most important, make sure you are safe. The ice need to be thick, and maybe you don't guy by yourself until you are older.
My favorite is a gold or silvr kastmaster with a minnow head or pink spikes
Woodswalker:today I collected about 50 galls. I cut a few open but the little grub inside was brown and looked like it was dead, but im sure it wasnt. So I put them in my garage in hopes that they would "come back to life" from the raise in temp. I will let u know if I catch anything on them. Thanks for the tip!
Dont worry about asking questions buddy, thats how you learn. If you are just pan fishing its pretty tough to beat a big juicy wax worm. Sometimes i will use spikes or wigglers too. use small tear drops and one small sinker about a foot above your hook. the sinker will just help your bait get to the bottom faster and its alot easier to feel bottom with a little extra weight. Drop your rig all the way to the bottom and real up about a foot and start jigging. dont be afraid to jig at different depths too. good luck and hopefully you let us know how you do.
If you don't know where to fish, find a group of people already fishing on the lake your going to fish. Don't be afraid to punch a bunch of wholes at different depths. Or move around fishing holes not being used. If you don't know how far down you should put your jig, lure or bait, work your way up from the bottom a few inches at a time. I catch most of my fish within the first foot-and-a-half to two feet of the bottom or within a foot of the top of weedy area.
Post an Answer