Last minute tips for first time ice fishing

[Jbworkin]

I like to use a wire strike indicator on a short fishing rod to detect the light bites. Fish in the winter often are slow and noticing just a slight movement of your rod tip can be the difference between a great day and a boring one. I also like lighter line. Florocarbon leader in 4-6# is my preferred line. Sometimes less is more. A small 1" piece of nightcrawler tucked inside a skirted jig often works better than a long nighcrawler dangling off your jig. Then you can fool around with all the different jiggs, sizes, colors and various presentations. Sometimes dead sticking it works best sometimes a slight movement up and down sometines a quick jerk and a free fall, you just never know. I find many fish will hit on the drop. So try to keep contact with your lure and if it stops dropping before you think its on the bottom set the hook! Ice fishing is often finess fishing and then sometimes they will pull your rod into the water.

Standard lures are the ratfinki in (white, orange, pink, glow). Paddle bugs (white), Maniac Cut'r Bugs, and tube jigs are my go to ice tackle. I also like to tip them with wax worms, and meal worms or a small piece of nighcrawler. Minnows often work well too. I like to hide my bait in the tube jigs. Colors include white, red/white, yellow/white, etc. Sizes from 1 1/2" to 4" You can also use a small kastmaster as an attractor above you jig or lure.

Your 5" auger should be fine unless you are very lucky and catch a monster. Hope this helps. Best of luck!