Low temperatures slow down the metabolism of fish. As a result, fish are more energy efficient and this makes them slower to react. You can take advantage of it in several ways. Let’s dive in and see what each ice fishing technique has to offer.
1. Jigging with a Spring Bobber
Jigging is the most common and probably the most fun form of ice fishing. Your rod will be a lightweight rod (about 28 inches), nothing fancy like the casting rods used for saltwater fishing. You can use minnows, worms or wax worms as live bait. Alternatively, you can use artificial lures and do well.
You will find that its spring loaded bobber is very useful when jigging. It is much more sensitive than a regular bobber, so you will be able to feel even the slightest jerk. Not only that, the spring loaded reel also dampens the movement of the jig and mimics the movement of the lure in a more natural way.
When it comes to fishing lines, most ice anglers will agree that fluoridated lines work well. These lines are almost invisible in freezing water and rarely tangle. Today you can even find specialized fluorine lines for ice fishing.
2. Tip-ups
Ice fishing tip-ups are devices used to suspend the lure at a certain depth and detect a fish bite without touching the device. When a fish bites, it sets off a flag, indicating an attack. This is when you jump to grab the line and start throwing hand after hand.
The great thing about tip-up ice fishing is that you will be able to cover more ground without having to look at your offer all the time. The downside is that it does most of the work for you.
3. Spearfishing
This is not for everyone. Spearfishing on frozen lakes requires a lot of skill and concentration. You will obviously be fishing much closer to the surface with this technique, so you will need a lot of bait to lure the fish.
You will use a multi-pointed spear to maximize your chances of hitting. One thing to keep in mind is that many states have restrictions on what exactly you can spear fish, so be careful.
4. Clubbing
Ok, this is a bit tough. Clubbing is a method that is rarely seen nowadays. Stand on clear ice in shallow water, looking down for fish. Once you have located a fish you would like to catch, whip the club with all your strength, stunning the fish instead. As soon as you do that, you should make a hole in the ice. Cave captain, anyone?
Ready for Ice Fishing | Get to know what you need for for ice fishing! Gear for Ice Fishing!
At this point you will have seen that ice fishing is very different from normal fishing. That’s why some of the equipment you will need will also be different. Here are the essentials of your ice fishing gear:
- Small jigging rod
- Spring Bobber
- Leader
- Hooks
- Lures
- Jigs
- Tip-up (typically replaces the jigging rod, but can be used in conjunction)
We’ve summed it all up in one picture so you can easily get ready for your next ice fishing trip.
