Drop shotting for ice fishing?

[basssmasher*]

This thought has been running thru my mind today and I'm curious if I should not even waste my time or is it something to think about? A guy could dropshot with 2 single octopus hooks and say impulse minnows to trigger eyes and or perch, I'm just wondering what other minds have to say about this??

[Brad B]

it never hurts to think out side the box and try different things. it could mean the difference of catching no fish or alot of fish.

[scott b]

Brian Brosdahl wrote an article on this very subject a couple years ago in In-Fisherman. Sounds like a great search tool according to him.

He uses it for panfish.

[mww24]

sshhh. Don't let the secret out. I use it to feel what the bottom is like and to stir the bottom up. I use tungsten drop shot weights. Usually 1/8 oz with a hook or small jig. Distance the hook is off the bottom varies but I start at about a foot. Just like open water the tungsten combined with fluorocarbon line gives you a great feel of the bottom. A lot of times I use the gulp 3 inch minnow on my hook for bait. I like to just pound it against bottom a bit to stir things up and then let sit. I usually use this on my second line and my first line is actively jigging off the bottom. To me it fishes a lot like open water. I almost always fish it vertically off the boat and use the same light jigging motion that i use through the ice. Give it a shot.

[mn_bowhunter]

Correct me if I'm wrong but 2 hooks tied separately on the same line constitutes 2 lures which is illegal. The exception is up to 3 flies may be used for trout and panfish. I always wondered if I could use 3 flies while ice fishing for bluegills since I do sometimes use small beadheads when fish are finicky.

[bobbymalone]

i've thought about it before, but haven't tried it. got so many presentations that work just fine. but one of these days when the go to methods aren't working...

nothing wrong with trying something new.

[Chumba]

Correct me if I'm wrong but 2 hooks tied separately on the same line constitutes 2 lures which is illegal. The exception is up to 3 flies may be used for trout and panfish. I always wondered if I could use 3 flies while ice fishing for bluegills since I do sometimes use small beadheads when fish are finicky.

I believe the law changed in MN this last year. Copied below from page 9 of the regulations:

Single Tackle Configuration. Anglers may use up to three single or multiple- pronged (example - treble) hooks on a line used as a single tackle configuration attached to the end of a fishing line (Examples – crawler harness, quick-strike rig. See pictures on page 63). Note: a single tackle configuration cannot be used on designated trout streams and lakes.

- The total length of the single tackle configuration from the first hook to the last hook must be nine inches or less.

- Anglers may use live, artificial, preserved, or dead bait that is lawful to use (see page 12).

- This single tackle configuration is not considered an artificial fly or lure/ bait, and no additional hooks may be used. Adding a bead, blade, or spinner does not make it into an artificial lure/bait.

[Dylan8351]

That is a very effective way to fish panfish here in Vermont. In lakes where the target species (perch and crappie mainly) roam deep basins, this method allows us to fish fast and stay on the school. Instead of a plain weight, we use a Kastmaster or heavy spoon. We use the tactic both open and hard water with great success!

[Rippinlip]

I did that exact thing on Mille Lacs last year for Perch.

I tied up a drop shot rig with 3 trout fly's on them, 1 about 6" off the bottom and the other 2 in 6" intervals above that.

I did not have alot of success on that particular rig, but the other holes in the house were going strong.

If nothing else, was a heck of an attractant.

[fishuhalik]

Rippinlips, just so ya know, that is illegal and will get ya ticketed. Having multiple lures/flies/baits on one line is considered multiple lines. Since u can use 2 rods ice fishing I believe u could tie up 2 flies at once, but u couldn't have your second rod in the water. Not to harp on ya, just trying to save ya a ticket!

[goblueM]

I believe the law changed in MN this last year. Copied below from page 9 of the regulations:

Single Tackle Configuration. Anglers may use up to three single or multiple- pronged (example - treble) hooks on a line used as a single tackle configuration attached to the end of a fishing line (Examples – crawler harness, quick-strike rig. See pictures on page 63).

Pretty sure that 2 hooks spaced apart on a drop shot rig are not attached to the END of the line and, as such, would be considered multiple hooks

[Fishin4fun_MN]

Technically he can according to the 2012 regulations and i believe that it was legal in 2011 as well.

Here is the 2011 reg. It doesn't specifically specify open water and/or ice.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

The following regulations apply to all Minnesota waters unless noted

otherwise in this booklet.

Angling Methods

• Anglers may use only one hook. An artificial lure is considered one hook. A treble hook, when not part of an artificial lure, is considered three hooks and is not legal. The exception is that three artificial flies may be used when angling for trout, crappie, sunfish, and rock bass.

• Anglers may use only one line during the open water season and two

through the ice (other than on designated trout lakes and streams) unless otherwise noted.

• You may not intentionally fish for any species during its closed season.

• Angling with an unattended line, a setline, or a trotline is unlawful.

• Using an artificial light to lure or attract fish is unlawful. Exception: While

angling, a person may affix to the end of a fishing line a lighted artificial bait with hooks attached. Any battery that is used in lighted fishing lures must not contain mercury.

• A party is defined as a group of two or more persons:

– angling from a single watercraft; or

– if not in a watercraft, maintaining unaided visual and vocal contact

with each other.

• The total number of fish possessed by the party may not exceed the

combined limits of the numbers of the party.

• Each party member may transport only an individual limit of fish.

• The use of explosives, firearms, chemicals (not including fish scents), spring devices, or electricity for taking fish is unlawful.

• It is unlawful to take a fish by snagging

Here is the 2012 reg.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

The following regulations apply to all Minnesota waters unless noted

otherwise in this booklet.

Hooks, Lures and Tackle Configurations

Single Tackle Configuration. Anglers may use up to three single or multiple-pronged (example - treble) hooks on a line used as a single tackle configuration attached to the end of a fishing line (Examples – crawler harness, quick-strike rig. See pictures on page 63). Note: a single tackle configuration cannot be used on designated trout streams and lakes.

- The total length of the single tackle configuration from the first hook to the last hook must be nine inches or less.

- Anglers may use live, artificial, preserved, or dead bait that is lawful to use (see page 12).

- This single tackle configuration is not considered an artificial fly or lure/bait, and no additional hooks may be used. Adding a bead, blade, or spinner does not make it into an artificial lure/bait.

• Artificial Lure/Bait. A single artificial lure/bait may contain more than one hook (Example - a crankbait).

- An angler may have one additional single or multiple hook on a line as

part of the artificial lure/bait as long as it is within three inches of the artificial lure/bait (Example - a stinger hook (often a treble hook) can be trailed behind a jig).

- Note: An extra single or multiple hook is not allowed on artificial lures/baits used on designated trout streams and lakes.

• Artificial Fly. Three artificial flies may be used when angling for trout, crappie, sunfish, and rock bass.

• Designated Trout Streams and Lakes. Other than 3 artificial flies or a single artificial lure/bait, a tackle configuration with more than one single hook is not allowed on designated trout streams and lakes. Note: See special tackle restrictions for Lake Superior and Its Tributaries - page 32

[mainbutter]

As stated above:

3 artificial flies on a single line is legal, for specific species that is.

Perch may not be targeted with 3 artificial flies.