Chasing gills in the metro......

[Nate McVey]

I got out on the ice today for the first time (yes I know, I said first time) on a metro lake in search of some gills. Since it was the first time out I figured I'd forget something or something wouldn't work so I took my time and made sure everything was there. After convincing myself I was ready I got to the lake, set up in 10 ft. on a break, drilled a couple holes and set up the house. That's when I realized I only had one tackle box I got a great selection of Lindy jigs for Christmas and I had made sure I put them right in my bag, but I forgot to grab the others out of the boat. Oopps. It's a selection of Darters, Slick Jigs and Rattl'n Flyer Spoons so I figured I'd be ok.

I tipped the Silver Shiner Flyer with a waxie and dropped her down. It was nibbled at right away and I pulled up a small pumpkinseed, dropped it down again and got a small gill. This pattern repeated itself throughout the afternoon with a handful of 5"-6" gills and one decent one around 8". I tried fishing it a couple different ways but the most success I had was jigging it 6-10 times in a row, but only moving it an inch or so each time. As soon as I stopped it I would count to 10 and get a bite.

All in all I was happy with that Flyer. I've always been a Gypsy Jig guy for panfish through the ice and was pleasantly surprised with the results. I'm excited to get out and try them head to head (if I can remember my other boxes) in the near future.

Here's a couple pics of the "big guy"

Sorry for the shaky hand, but I just got a new phone yesterday and it was my first time taking pictures with it.

[harvey lee]

The Lindy Flyers are also great for channel cats, crappie and walleye. I really like the red ones.

I tried out the Lindy Darter and the rattles are very loud in them to call in those fish.

[shizzy]

that first fish through thte ice for the season is always a great feeling!

[Supercrew]

The first Ten are even better.!

[hamms-scooter]

Nice pics with the new phone. Marcum was lit up hope you got those too!

[Eric_Kruger]

i was gonna comment on the marcum as well! nice gills and that seems like a good camera in your phone! nice work!

[MNSnow]

I used the Lindy Flyers up on Winnibigoshish last year for perch. They seemed to love them. Silver and Gold was the color of choice (with glowing red eyes). I also used the identical jigging method and found they always hit right after I paused the action for 5-10 seconds. Don't feel bad about not getting out until yesterday. My buddies and I are getting our first day out on hard water on the 16th...ugh.

[Nate McVey]

The Marcum was lit up like that the entire time I was out there! As for the phone, my wife's phone crapped out and the Eros was buy one get one at Verizon so I ended up with the 2nd. If I hadn't been so worried about dropping it down the hole, I probably wouldn't have been so shaky

MNSnow, glad to hear that technique is tried and true!

[chuckwagon]

I have got the same Marcum unit .. love it and was a great price. Can I ask what kind of bottom you were fishing with the thick chunk of red on the Marcum? Nice gill as well, I love fishing my frabill quick tip 24 inch and pulling up big gills with it.

[Nate McVey]

Quote:

Can I ask what kind of bottom you were fishing with the thick chunk of red on the MarCum?

Very weedy, this lake gets choked with em in the summer and they tend to hang out most of the winter. That Marcum was a great deal especially because I fish by myself a lot and don't have to worry about any interference.

[MerganserBreath]

Nice gills ! I look forward to hearing how the rest of the jigs work for you...... by the way, looks like a nice tent you got there, I used to have one just like it!!! :}