Thoughts on Plastics - ice fishing

[JWirth]

I tie my own jigs but am considering adding plastics to my box for the upcoming ice season. Im just looking for some input on what works / doesn't work - are they worth trying?

[deathb4disco]

You might try the ice fishing forum:

https://www.crappie.com/crappie/ice-fishing-forum/

[sparkie51]

Also try IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community.

[paicenut]

Maki plastic's are made right in New York and are some of the best hands down.

[Yaker]

Absolutly,many folks use plastics while ice fishing.Just remember to downsize the jig/lure and it's always good to tip with waxies,mousies,minnow heads ,mealworms,or fishing worm chunks.

[Spoonminnow]

1/32 oz and 1/24 oz jigs ball head jigs and plastics would be and are my most productive lures regardless the season. Lure design is extremely important especially for under the ice and smaller lures 1-1.5" long with small straight tails get bit.


A light feather jig tipped with a grub seems like a good combination as well as 2" tubes which in one day caught over 30 crappie through the ice in a circle of holes.

2 or 4# test fluorocarbon leaders are a must for better lure action.

I have used a float in the hole when using live bait on small jigheads, but generally hold the rod and feel for light strikes after twitching the rod tip and pausing.

Working lures right is key to getting strikes.

[FurFlyin]

Ice fishing preps already? It was 95 here today

[franklin fisher]

I am a big fan of plastics for ice fishing. I use tungsten jig heads and cut the tail off of shad style baits and just put that on the hook. Small plastics are the way to go. The small gulp alive grubs that come in the jars work well also. If the fish are not biting well something even smaller works good like a small plastic bug style. Northland Lures makes one that works good.

[barrelslime]

I use Gulp ice fishing

[skeetbum]

H2O hammer makes a lot of plastics for cold and ice fishing. Might give him a shout. He’s been doing some good baits for the northern folks.