"Must Haves" in the tackle box.

[stretch1975]

Hello everyone,

I am new to IceLeaders and I'm getting back into ice fishing after a 10+ year hiatus. What are some "must have" or "go to" lures I should get in preparation for the coming season?

Thanks and good fishing!

[toughguy]

My old reliables: Genz Bug, Buckshots, Diamond Eye Jig, Macho Minnow, Ratso, Shrimpo.

Gonna Try this year: Mooska

[LakeoftheWoods]

on Lake of the woods Jigging spoons are the top dog. If you have gold pink and something that glows, you are set.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Well, I've got to say it the Chubby Darter. Some larger ones for walleye/pike, and some smaller ones for crappies.

[fishwater]

I love jigging raps.

[Chode2235]

Red lindy rattle flyer 1/4 for the eyes (maybe an 1/8 too)

gold hammered angel eye

gold perch forage minnow 1/8

red/rainbow/glow perch buckshot rattle spoons (1/8, as these fish pretty heavy)

There are a ton of really good panfish jigs out there. I like the Genz bugs, custom jigs diamond jigs and gill pill, and if I were buying new I would be looking at getting some of the new tungsten jigs offered by the big manufactures (or getting some wolfram jigs online). You really want a small heavy head for tipping with some of the great plastics (or eurolarve).

For panfish, I have gone almost exclusively plastic. Little atom nuggies, custom jig and spins finesse tails, and whatever small 'generalist' plastics with a tail are killer. Small whispy tails are the best I have found, in black, red, or greens.

Jigging minnow baits can be really effective at times.

I like the jigging rapalas (size 7 is great, and the really small ones are awesome on perch and crappies too)

Same thing with the chubby darters. Size 5 is about perfect for most walleye applications, and the really small ones can be great on crappies (although they take forever to sink when fishing those basins).

Some people like the lindy darters, I have never had good luck with them. But a verticle rattling lure is a good one to 'call some fish in' with.

Also, I always have a rod rigged with a slip bobber and hook (or 1/8-1/16 oz jig head). Especially if you are jigging, it is a good idea to have your bobber line down. I get quite a few bites on that minnow. The jig/spoon calls them in with the flash, and then they take the bobber down.

The other thing most people overlook is tackle storage. I have one of the rose creek boxes for my ice jigs. These are great as they keep them organized and not tumbling around in my tackle box (which keeps them in better shape too). They make one now too that holds jigs on one side and spoons on the other. I would highly recommend an investment in one of these if you are going to be getting some new lures.

You dont need a ton of tackle to get going, so don't feel like you need to drop a ton of money on it. A few jigging spoons (glow red, gold, perch) from 1/4-1/16 size, and then some heavier (size 10/12) panfish jigs will get you going for sure. After that it is specialization, or to use a metaphor --- gravy.

[PerchJerker]

If you've been away for 10 years and you fish panfish ......

Get yourself a spring bobbber rod and get some horizontal plastic baits. I like ratso, diamond jigs, little atom nuggies, and there's a bunch of other good ones too. It's a great way to fish!

[stretch1975]

Wow. Thanks for the great responses. Ice fishing has changed a lot in 10 years.

[dfv87]

Panfish = Gill Pill, love the action and hook percentage.

[NAMASafetyDirector]

At least 5 Rapala Jigging Shad Raps in glow red on LOW. Then some "stop signs" in glow red. If they won't eat those it's time to move.

[robert aldrich]

northland tackle bros bugs, plus many more lures. its up to you. go to a bait shop, not a big box store. i recomendation is Marine general in duluth.

[bobbymalone]

great responses so far...

if I was only allowed one thing in my tackle box, it would be a demon jig.

[Chode2235]

great responses so far...

if I was only allowed one thing in my tackle box, it would be a demon jig.

Oh man, how could I have forgotten this classic.

[stretch1975]

That is a lot suggestions. Thanks again for the input.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Can't believe nobody hit the classics. Swedish Pimple, Acme Kasmaster, and the good old Fat Boy.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

buckshot spoons in a few different sizes and colors

swedish pimples in a few different sizes and colors

perch and fire tiger colored jigging raps

ratsos

genz bugs in glow colors

mooskas or other small tungsten jigs...used these almost exclusively for crappies and sunfish last winter; even the jumbo perch like em here in SD.

a few assorted plastics in different colors, and a few different power baits in case we run out of spikes or waxies or minnows.

[silverbulletguy]

buckshot rattle spoons, hexi fly, and the bro bugs-they all work great

[Finlander]

Northland Forage minnow all sizes and colors. Buckshot Rattle Spoons all colors and sizes. Custom Jigs and Spins Demon with single hook. I like the white/orange #4 for walleyes tipped with a whole fathead and #6 for crappies and sunfish. Caught a 29" walleye on the #6 white/orange tipped with a minnow fishing for crappies early ice! Same lure for crappies and sunfish tipped with waxworm is my go to lure most of the time.

Ratso's in white color are getting more ice time also! And give them a shot of light too so they glow!

Good Luck!

[coombia21]

Must have for me are lindy flyers, in all sizes and colors. I also like the buckshot style jigs from jrs tackle. On red lake pink and gold glow ants.

[stretch1975]

What about Pilkkis? Are they a solid lure?

[Agronomist_at_IA]

What about Pilkkis? Are they a solid lure?

The Pilki are a slender flat spoon with a chain dropper to a single hook. I believe Oh Shucks makes them over at the Lakes in NW Iowa. They are a great lure, and have been catching on a lot of other places. Mainly they are the hot item around the Iowa Great Lakes. When I went to an outfitter at devils lake we were using them and they worked so well that he wanted some, so we sent him some up after we got back from the trip since he didn't have them around his area.

They do work awsome for panfish and they even have a little bigger pilki for walleye. I've seen guys that are out of the Iowa Great lakes make a pilki like lure by taking a smaller swedish pimple and taking the treble off, then making a short droper of mono from the pimple to a small hook or small jig like the gill pill.

I have about 5-6 in my tackel box and use them a lot. The only bad thing about them is after a period of time the dropper chain seems to weaken, and needs to be replaced.

Overall, I'd add a few to the tackel box, plus they come in glow.

[TylerS]

Rod A: Plain hooks, splitshots, and slip bobbers with bobber stops.

Rod B: Spoon tipped with minnow head.

Get yourself some fat, happy minnows and go to town. Not many fish under the ice that will pass on live bait, and if they don't go for Option A, they'll likely hit Option B, or vise versa.

[TruthWalleyes]

Must Have...Strong magnet to pick up whatever you just dropped down the hole!

My tackle box has pretty much been listed above...One thing to add to your list - Venom Bobber.

[ducker]

Halis

[Midnight1890]

Silver Slender Spoons - big or small they catch fish.