So Mrs. Santa says....

[Boatiac]

"Since you want to try out ice fishing, what do you need"?

I told her I would like a medium and a light ice fishing rod/reel. So then she says "what about terminal tackle and jigs"? Well that just impressed the heck out of me, I thought the only thing she knew about "jig" was the dance step. I had to say "I don't know, I'll get back to you on that".

I assume stuff I already have will do. Are there certain types of tackle that you would only use for ice fishing?

I hear and see a lot of jigs being used, I have a fairly decent assortment of colored jigs (greens, oranges, reds), most in the 1/4 - 3/8 weight, as well as standard jigs and tubes in lots of colors.

Should I get smaller ones?

I've heard using Kastmaster spoons, I have several of those in various colors, but, mostly 3/8 - 1 ouncers.

Should I get smaller ones as well?

I have been over to Sportsmans and looked around the ice fishing section, saw a few things that I guess could be "handy". But since I am not sure how "in to this" I will get, I don't want to go overboard. I say that because I HATE COLD. And it's only gotten worse over the years, but I do want to try it out.

Thanks for any input.
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[ifishutah]

Truly, smaller is generally better for ice fishing. You can catch some big fish using the bigger spoons/jigs, but if you want consistent action small is definitely the deal. ie: 1/32, 1/64, 1/16
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[chickendude1234]

Agreed. Smaller is better, think of whatever size you think you want, then go one size smaller. My go to ice jigs are Swedish pimples as a flasher with a Lindy Ice Worm jig as the dropper. Also, glow is key for most places.
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[chickendude1234]

I guess I should add, since you might want to buy stuff you can use in the open water if you don't end up liking ice fishing, that you can definitely use kastmasters as the flasher instead of the Swedish pimple. I like the Swedish pimple though because they are easier to find in glow colors.
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[pookiebar]

You also should get ratso jigs (little guys with a soft plastic and little tail) and ratfinkee jigs (little guys with a harder plastic and no tail).

Colors are white, glow, and orange work best for me. Though I do have some in chartreuse and red etc.

As was said before smaller is better. The only place I have seen that you can use the big stuff ice fishing is Bear Lake. []
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[albinotrout]

I use small small jigs about 1/16 oz heads with white, glow, red, and chartreuse bodies tipped with a wax worm. Small ice flies work well the same way.
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[barbs78]

I agree with everything said! I love ratfinkees and ratso! Paddle bugs work good too! Regular tube jigs work good too! I personally like the glow ones! Good luck!
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