Hey Folks
Have not been able to fish in quite a while, but able to get out soon. I have never been on the hard deck and would love some advise. Plan on buying the Ugly Stick 30 in ice combo and using 4lb Nanofil line. So what kind of lures should I get or do the same jigs and lures used in soft water work? Thanks in advance for the help>
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The same size stuff you use in soft water does not work as well, down sizing to tiny is the way to go. Jiggin raps, ice jigs, ice flies. Wax worms are more popular than nightcrawlers.
If I lost all my gear today, the first things I'd get would be: the lightest Ugly Stik ice combo spooled with ice line, waxworms, mealworms, nightcrawlers , size 6 8 or 10 ratfinkees in green, pink and orange, a skimmer/chisel combo, a 5 gallon bucket....and a nitinol spring bobber. Before anything else, don't forget an ice safety kit.
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My favorite jigs on the ice are ice flys(variety of shapes and sizes), ratsos, ratfinkees, marabou jigs, and the standard tube jig from 1"-3", tip with bait of choice. Jigs that glow are often affective.
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Those all awesome choices, I would add, chartreuse or white paddle bug. That has been my go to in any lake and have caught fish.
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We've acquired lots of gear but our go-to bait is the Rat Finkee with wax worm sweetened with Trout Attractant juice. 4# test, variety of rods.
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any preference on the ice safety kit? Never thought of downsizing. makes sense . thank you
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The picks are the main thing, unless you're on slick ice and need ice cleats. I have the celsius picks that slide nto each others handles and then go around your neck, under the hood so they stay put. The retractable HT Enterprises kind are good too but I always had them getting in the way when they were through my sleeves.
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I agree with Jedidiah about the picks. We also have a throw line; thankfully it's never been used. We also keep extra clothes in the car and always have the heater and the makings for hot beverages.
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Jedidiah, why would you get the lightest Ugly stick combo? Just curious to learn from your experience.
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Ya just have to remember everyone has an opinion and a method that works for them, but may or may not work so well for you. For instance, I've been ice fishing in Utah for about 34 years and I've gone through a lot of the suggested things written above and I don't subscribe to much of it any more. I don't use spring bobbers or Rat Finkes and I don't use bait unless I absolutely have to. Not to say the suggestions aren't any good, but they may not work out the best for your situation. For one, no one has even asked what your target species is. If you're targeting planter trout, your gear selection will be different than for 20"+ trout; rainbows different than lake trout. If you're targeting panfish, it's going to require different gear and/or techniques than for trout. It depends greatly on what you want to target.
So what are you going after? If anything that bites is the answer, then just about anything should work for you. [cool]
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Fishnate makes some good points, you tackle will vary depending on what your target species happens to be that day. However you can do a lot of ice fishing with the same outfit you summer fish with. I still prefer my 6 and 7 foot rods, you only need short rods when in a tent or shelter. Because you are stationary and only going vertical (no casting) you can lighten up your terminal tackle, the subtle winter crappie bite is more easily detected on light tackle that you wouldn't use for Macks at the Gorge. I use Rat Finkies tipped with wax or meal or regular worms or cut bait the majority of the time, whatever you prefer and leads to success. Give it all a try!!!
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[#0000FF]Hey Lee, I know a guy that makes a lot of stuff that will work. And I know you already have a bunch that will catch fish through the ice...as well as open water.
Before you invest too heavily in everything you might think you need, come on over and I will give you a rundown on sizes, colors and presentations for the species you might be after.
Also...still got a couple of ice rods left from my selloff.
Also also...your 6# Nanofil will work fine for ice fishing. No need to go crazy. Maybe a 4# mono or fluoro leader. Just make sure it is abrasion resistant. You won't break off many fish by lifting them out of the hole, but larger fish that go round and round a few times before crawling onto the ice can chew up line that is not abrasion resistant. I have seen some big fish lost at the hole for that reason.
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I have been using light action 5ft ugly sticks on my float tube for years. Love them. They are fairly sensitive for the light bites and cast well with my stuff. Paired with a
Mitchell Advocet reel loaded with 4 lb Nanofil with fluorocarbon leader its perfect for me and the rods are super strong.
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Thanks Pat. I will give you a call and we will get together soon.
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Hey Fishnate
I will be going after local trout and panfish mainly. But I will also target the big shouldered trout at Minersville and wipers there and Williard. But I wouldn't say no to ANY fish don't you see
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Like other folks have been saying, it's personal preference and target species that define line and rod. My reasoning for choosing a light combo is that I like panfish and the closest large trout are at Strawberry, and I do fish for them and have a heavier combo for it, but trips for perch are more common for me. The light rod helps feel lighter bites, but there's days when big fish bite light too.
My experience is pretty limited really, I've only been icefishing for three years.
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Pa, I have a 5 ft light wt Ugly stick I use as well from my canoe. I love it too. I have pulled in some larger (18 - 22") trout on it with no problem. It is my go to rod. I was mostly curious why Jedidiah said he would pick up the lightest ice fishing Ugly Stick combo. But now that you have brought this up, and I think out loud, it is probably because Ugly Sticks are very strong and even the lightest rod would offer plenty of strength combined with sensitivity for even larger fish. But then, I am making an assumption. I hope you get hooked on ice fishing.
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What I actually use the most is a super light Infrared combo from Cabelas with a spring bobber. The three foot medium weight Ugly Stik sees the second most use, and it was my first rod. Generally the Ugly Stik will be a dead stick with maybe a jiggin rap or just a couple inches of worm threaded onto the line with a number 10 red baitholder, and that's the same thing that usually goes on the jawjacker when I'm using it. At Strawberry the Infrared doesn't usually come out because it's not rigged for big trout, but at Fish Lake it's like a magic perch wand. The medium-light Ugly Stik will go on a jawjacker usually, as will the other rod I have, it's a cheap Walmart combo. It's what works for me, I guess.
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