Fishing Forum

Do you guys deploy ice fishing techniques in the summer? The real small ice flies seem to be the ticket when a lake is iced over, I assume it should have the same result in the summer?
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I have used the maniac gizzy bug on 1/32 jighead under a bobber at Utah Lake with very good success for bluegill and crappie in the reeds.
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[#0000FF]Almost anything that works through the ice also works during open water. I fish a lot of the same jigs from my tube...vertical jigging...just like ice fishing...only warmer.
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Sure ice fishing lures work in summer. Why wouldn't they? I don't often use the tiny light ones in summer because I usually increase the size of my lure so I can fish faster since the fish are usually more active and willing to chase and eat larger offerings. At times I do use the small ice flys (1/64 oz to 1/128 oz) under a bobber for shallow presentations to bluegill and crappie.
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Hey, don't reveal my secret!

One of my methods for crappie is to use a regular-sized jig at the end of the line and a tiny jig or ice fly above it, in drop-shot fashion. Except that I don't fish it on the bottom, necessarily. I dip the rig with a long rod, and use a fixed or slip float on a regular rod. I tie them in about six inches apart.

This year, I may even try three such offerings, in graduated sizes from bottom to top. I might use a trout nymph as the top lure, for example.
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the thing thats funny about that is that i have been using flyfishing nymphs ice fishing for about 5 years now and i catch more fish on those than so called ice flies.
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One little jig:
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To rule them all:
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[quote Jazzperch1]the thing thats funny about that is that i have been using flyfishing nymphs ice fishing for about 5 years now and i catch more fish on those than so called ice flies.[/quote]
I wanted to try this then I always forget and use the proven methods. Now I really gotta try
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Yup, I've used them too. As Fishnate said, they do present a patience challenge because they sink slow. I've used a small splitshot above the jig to get them down quicker.
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