If the fish aren't biting...

[wiperhunter2]

I currently have ice fishing on the brain and a conversation in another thread reminded me of these thoughts I put together for a friend last year.

(Note, assumes you have a flasher)

1) If you are seeing fish on your flasher


    a. If they follow your lure/rig, but won't bite, then change bait


    b. If they won't follow your lure/rig, then change lures/rigs
    c. Also consider changing or trying different tactics, like deadsticking, jigging (frequency, magnitude, cadence, etc.), spinning your lure, bottom bouncing, or combinations of the above
2) If you are not seeing fish, move
    a. Sometimes a big move is in order, such as up lake, down lake, across lake, a different lake
    b. Sometimes a small move is better, like shallower, or deeper
    c. Also consider "ice trolling" - drill a series of holes (I like a single line or a loop), then fish each hole in succession. I usually spend less than 5 minutes per hole, jigging to see if fish come to the hole/jig/rig.  Then adjust from there. Not surprisingly, it is often the furthest hole from where I set up my gear, leave my sled, etc. that is the most productive. Quiet fishing is good. If your group is loud, move away from them.

I am interested in your thoughts or what has worked for you when the fish aren't biting...

Great list, with a lot for good thoughts that I can see working. I think a lot of our methods we don't even think about them when we are doing them.