Best Ice Fishing Bait & Lures

[amateurfishing]

Since I am very new at this and looks like GPS/Fish Finder are not realistic right now, would my next step be proven winners for bait & tackle? I have tried live minnows & wax worms on different ice lures, spend $20 @ FF last week on various lures, is live better than plastic, did get some sented plastic stuff, should i tip it with wax worm? Are live minnows too big for panfish? Are glow lures for nighttime only? I did catch 1 perch on wax worm and old jig but am working towards better results and more knowledge b4 taking my boys out so they dont get bored.

[MN BassFisher]

Do yourself a favor and get some Euro's or Spikes. They are small live maggots and they can be extremely durable on the hook. I've had the same little euro on for over 30 fish. And they can stay alive well in your fridge when not using. Waxworms seem to rip apart way too easy for my liking.

[herefish101]

Do yourself a favor and get some Euro's or Spikes. They are small live maggots and they can be extremely durable on the hook. I've had the same little euro on for over 30 fish. And they can stay alive well in your fridge when not using. Waxworms seem to rip apart way too easy for my liking.

Exactly! I fish euro larve on a diamond jig as my go to for panfish.

[HarvestMoon]

If your after panfish plastics will do just fine on any lake with sunnies and crappies, but the key is keeping them moving. Not big drastic movements. Just little jiggles and wiggles while occasionally slowly pulling it up a couple feet. I like to just put the jig I'm using a couple feet down the hole where I can still see it and work it around a bit. You'll be amazed at how much movement occurs at the jig from very minute hand movement. When you can make the little tail wiggle without the whole jig moving you are ready to drop it down and start fishing.