Paddle Bugs and Such

[flyfish_88]

I know this is probably a dumb question for most but I have only been ice fishing for a few years and have pretty much just used the little tiny jigs that glow and stuff that come in a big multi colored packs at Walmart and cal ranch. What is a paddle bug? I live in Rexburg and so I fish Henry's lake and island park most of the time I go which isn't nearly enough. I've hear people mention paddle bugs before but have never seen them in any stores. Any other recommendations for my area? Hoping to up my game a little bit this year since I have not been real successful thus far.
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[hooknhunter]

http://www.crappielures.com/pages/paddle_bugs.php

I kind of prefer these (below) instead, but they all work.

http://maniaccustomlures.com/zen/index.p...&cPath=103

http://maniaccustomlures.com/zen/index.p...eg1gi3viv0
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[RockyRaab]

Another vote for Maniac lures. What makes them so darn effective I cannot say, but they are. Get some of the eensy-weensy ones for your tiniest ice flies, and the 1" ones for regular small jigs.
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[PACKFAN]

If you go with the paddle bugs from Maniac lures I suggest splitting the tail as it gives the lure more action, that is what we caught a bunch of crappies on a couple weeks ago. I actually split the tail lengthwise in 4 or 5 tails the crappie sure seemed to like them.
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[hooknhunter]

That's a really good idea. I like it. Thanks.
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[kentd71]

I have a couple of set ups with cutter bugs .I also split the tail but the multiple tails sounds like a great idea.
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[flyfish_88]

Ok Guys I'm leaning towards getting the two different sizes from maniac. What colors do you recommend and also weight of jig heads? Does the shape make much difference? I'm thinking of just getting unpainted ones and painting them myself.
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[Toxicicefisher]

I love paddle bugs, one of my go to jigs for trout. I buy all mine from sportmans warehouse in pocatello. I'm sure all sportmans carry. Always had good luck on white.
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[hooknhunter]

Black white orange pink and green gizzy gizilla and cutters. I've done best on pink and white. I like the vertigo heads that packfan gave me, but I wish they were heavier. I'd buy more if they were heavier. They keep your line in the right place. Excellent for active jigging.

Now that I think about it, I believe it was Pikeman that gave me those hooks. Whoever it was, thanks again.
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[kentd71]

What is a vertigo head? I have never seen or heard of one. I started pouring my own heads so I could get what I wanted.
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[tubeN2]

The vertigo heads have the tie in point farther back from the tip so that the jig head is more ballanced and maintained in a horizontal position.
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[chillout]

Paddle bugs are also available at most CAL stores. I like the 1/16 and 1/32 oz sizes and have also done best with white and pink.
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[hooknhunter]

Not only that, but the lead is formed around the eye in such a way that line can't slip down into a position/presentation that fish don't seem to like. On most other horizontal presentation jigs (all I'm aware of) the line can slip on the eye into an undesirable position that the fish don't seem to like. My experience is that fish don't like a horizontal jig fished in a vertical presentation. The vertigo prevents that from happening.

I'm probably going to order more, but I need to do an inventory first. I do wish they were a bit heavier, though. Would also be nice if there was more color variety.

Now that I think about it, I need to have my buddy modify his molds so that he can make his work that way. Then we could make them any color we want. []
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[tubeN2]

I like to customize some of my own jigs as well.

When I am looking for just a bit more weight, I will usually wrap some lead wire that I get from a flyfishing shop. Wrap a bit for ballance and then slip your tail on the jig.

That will usually help you get down a little quicker or hold a better position in a light current.
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[hooknhunter]

Another good idea. Thanks.

I just ordered 20 more of those vertigo jigs.
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[tubeN2]

You are most welcome.

I tie saltwater flies and use the lead wire. Sometimes I need to establish a slow sinking fly or just a neutrally bouyant fly since the hook may already be heavy but not ballanced.

The lead wire comes in different sizes. You will have to play with it a bit to figure out just how much you need at a time. I usually start with 10 wraps of the lead wire and work my way up or down to get the desired effect.
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[hooknhunter]

Yes. I'm familiar with it. I've tied it under the body on my nymphs many times.
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[kentd71]

I use a horizontal presentation also and modify a mold if needed. May get a minnow head mold and try it. One thing I like about having the whole eye exposed is that I can move the line to either side of the eye depending upon what kind of tail I add. It does need to be readjusted occasionaly and only can be used with light jigging.
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[hooknhunter]

It's not the jigging that is the problem for me. If that's the problem then a new/different knot is needed. It's the missed hook sets that moves the line to the wrong position followed by the lack of a "follow up" bite because the line has moved to a position that fish don't seem to like very well. The vertigo hook fixes that for me. I suppose not everyone would like it and that's okay with me. I personally think it is an excellent design. I wish more jig heads incorporated the concept into their designs.

I'm not familiar with the minnow head molds. I'll have to research it a bit.
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[kentd71]

yes, a bite will move the line on the eye into a different position and cause a problem on the follow up bite. The minnow head jig could be enlarged around the Eye or the Hook move backward so it is more balanced. Sometimes I remove some lead from the hook side of the head to balance the head.
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