Hit bottom. Lift, shake, drop. Repeat.
Although we don’t have any lakes that freeze over down here , I’m interested in the jigging technique used to catch gills through a hole in the ice .
What I plan on doing is to jig with jigs annd spoons around dock pilings at the local reservoirs . Especially out on the ends where the water would be deeper .
Do you use a slight wiggle to the jig or spoon or do you raise it and let it fall .
Thinking a gulp minnow might work on a 1/80 jighead .
All of the riprap locally that I usually jig is high and dry due to the lakes being lowered for winter .
Suggestions ?
“ The bigger the Bend , the Wider the Grin ! “
Hit bottom. Lift, shake, drop. Repeat.
Chuck Adams LIKED above postgillchaser999 thanked you for this post
Gillchaser.... I ice fish a lot and what works best for me is a small single hook spoon with a wax worm threaded on the hook. I drop the jig down to the desired depth and give it a couple small shakes and then let it sit still a few seconds. This usually triggers a strong bite. I've included a pic of some of these. The horizontal jig is made of tungsten and works just about as well as the spoons. One other thing when using the spoons.... I usually add a small split shot about 12 inches above it so I can feel the spoon better.
gillchaser999, skeetbum thanked you for this post
I added a piece of mop chenille to my ice jigs so I could soak it with slab sauce. I also like to tip with Slabinator Scent Sticks.
gillchaser999 LIKED above postRM Fishin thanked you for this post
Interesting to say the least.
The love for fishing is one of the best gifts you can pass along
I would start out using a Crappie Magnet in both sizes rigged on a 1/32 oz jig or 1/64 oz hook. Work it at different depths with slight rod twitches and pauses.
There are many others that work vertically and all must be worked slowly.
But to save time, I usually bring my old sonar unit and small motorcycle battery on a plastic sled along with my ice auger and lures. Drill a bunch of holes far from each other and put the sonar transducer down into each. No fish of any size usually means no fish present.
I don't ice fish anymore, Winter in Florida for 17 years now BUT still use icefishing jigs like those that were shown. I will open 8-10 holes in the weeds with Hoe, rake or whatever works and then go back to fish first hole. Works pretty well for me. Sometimes I tip them with Minnows, leeches or even crappies nuggets or other Gulp products. The fish will tell you what they want. Higher up for Crappie, lower for Gils.
gillchaser999, Spoonminnow LIKED above post
Same here except through the ice. I cut 8-10 holes in a large circle and start fishing each one as posted. If no fish, I move another 50' and drill some more. Again, sonar helps!I will open 8-10 holes in the weeds with Hoe, rake or whatever works and then go back to fish first hole.
RM Fishin LIKED above post