Does size matter?

[BobT]

For some ungodly reason, I was thinking about ice fishing this morning and a question came across my cranium.

When you're going after walleyes through the ice, do you find that you have better success going smaller or going larger? For example, do you prefer larger or smaller minnows, jigging spoons, etc?

[PerchJerker]

Seems to me that a lot of times smaller gets more action but larger is better for catching bigger fish.

And, on a highly pressured lake or if the fish are inactive then smaller is usually better --- but if the fish are really on the bite, or if you're on a remote lake without a lot of pressure, then larger is usually better.

[Eric Wettschreck]

That really depends on the bite, what they want, the weather, where you are, sunlight, and the alignment of the stars.

A good starting point for me is, early ice when the fish are more aggressive I'll go bigger. Mid-season when the fish slow down I'll downsize. Late season same as early ice.

That's just starting points, tho. It's important to change things up while you're out there. If what you doing ain't working, stop doing it and change.

[BobT]

Quote:

That really depends on the bite, what they want, the weather, where you are, sunlight, and the alignment of the stars.

You must be side-lining as an outdoor magazine writer.

At times I've heard or read that it can be beneficial to "match the hatch" so-to-speak. In other words, during the time of year when minnows are hatching and the lake is loaded with small young-of-the-year baitfish, then one should choose likewise. The theory being that the fish are targeting these young smaller bait. With this thought I would expect that the advantage in winter would be larger baits but it does seem that my successes, although maybe few, tend to support smaller bait in winter.

But I have often wondered though, if a fish puts that much forethought into its meal choice or if they are more opportunistic and just take advantage of the easier offering.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I've written a few outdoor articles. Nobody reads em so I'm keeping my day job.

Match the hatch is always a good mind set. Most fish have a brain the size of a pea, yet they normally outsmart us.

I believe, yes, they are creatures of opportunity and if a snack presents itself, and they're hungry, why not take a bite. Similar to when the wife asks ya, "Want some chips?" However, there are definately times when they are actively feeding and targeting a specific meal. Classic examples are during the fall when they put on the feed bag to prep for winter and intoeh spring when the put on said feed bag to prep for spawn. Early and late ice also fall into these catagories for me. Bigger baits are what they are normally looking for so they can get good and fat, so bigger baits are what I'll start with. If that doesn't work then I'll downsize and start a little finesse work. Same goes with the mid-winter time. They normally arnt actively feeding but will eat to stay alive and take a nibble if a snack presents itself.

Or, sometimes a guy just gets lucky and the stars are in alignment. Time of year, for me, dictates the size of the bait I'm going to start with, then I go from there.

[crappiebuster]

I'll agree with boilerguy. Match the hatch. For example if the lake has lots of small perch. I use a natural perch patterned spoon. If its cloudy/stained water I use a hot perch color. If the lake has lots of bullheads i'll go with a goldish and black rig. I try to keep freshly trapped natural native bait in my bucket with water from the creek it came out of. Kinda hard sometimes trapping minnows in winter but it is possible. When the bite gets tough mid season and the lake pretty much shuts down the only way to go is a tiny trout hook and a small splitshot deadsticked. Gold painted split shots work well also. Clip a fin or 2 to change it up. When that doesnt work hook 2 minnows in the tail opposite from one another on a small spoon so they struggle against each other. You wouldnt think neutral/negative fish would respond to a profile like that but they do.

It's amazing what drunken experiments can do for a man. Sometimes fills the bucket

[Ed Carlson]

I would say on average...smaller presentation catch more fish of all sizes..and more numbers due to the increase in smaller fish caught.

Does it increase the number of Sumo Class fish.....not sure..depends. I'm of the opinion bigger eats bigger most any day. And then there are those days when bigger can't be fed to anything...so smaller is a must.

Reacting to the moods you see at the time is key to keep fish on the hook, be it big or small baits.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Its just like any other time of year sometimes bigger presentations, sometimes small...

I usually start with a bigger minnows/lure. I feel bigger lures and minnows have more attracting power on fish. If you're pulling fish in but they dont bite well atleast you know you have fish in the immediate vicinity and then you can downsize to something they may just be more willing to bite.

Thats the whole concept behind droppers. Big attractive lures with a small presentation below the lure. Attract them then tempt them...