Use of Plastics

[flyfish]

Several FMers have commented that they tip their ice jigs with plastics rather then live bait.

Just wondering what kind of plastics you all use.

Thanks

[Jim Hudson]

Lots to choose from now days... But personally, I like the plastics from Lindy (either the Tiny Tails or Techni-Glo) and Little Atom...

Each make different styles of plastics that can meet almost any need on the ice.

One thing I have found through the ice, is that by switching up the color of plastics and even styles of plastics, rather then changing jig styles and or weights, can for the most part elict more strikes throughout a day on the ice. So by being armed with different styles and colors you can make or break a day while fishing...

[CrappieAttitude]

Tiny tails. I agree the more colors you have the better. My personal favorite was the blood red color, but I caught a lot of fish on the white / clear as well.

[Wookiee]

CJ&S finesse plastics on the ratsos and and shrimpos something about that little tail on the end.

[harvey lee]

Custom Jigs and spins products is my mainstay for the ice season for pannies.I love the Ratso's and Shrimpo's along with thier plastic line.I hardy ever use any live bait for pannies anymore except for a few times when I tip my bait with a spike or two.

[Coach1310]

I like the Custom Jigs and Spins line. Plastics are great, they give you action live bait just can't. It is nice to not have to worry about keeping live bait alive. I want to quit buying live bait, but some days it is just better!!

[Corey Bechtold]

Other than just getting some Plastics for Ice fishing. Try and pick some plastics that give the lure astion. Whippy tails and tenacles breathe/inch in the water while some smaller stiff bodies will actually swim (jet forward). A lot of plastics for Ice fishing are relatively small and can be downright tough to thread on a hook. Try and set up some baits at home before hitting the Ice. If the fish's attutude is positive don't be afraid to "up-size" also. Some of my biggest catches for Crappie, Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pike and Walleye have come on Berkley Power Tubes and Minnows.

Good luck,

Corey Bechtold

[knoppers]

I have been trying berkely power baits for northerns and walleyes of late, but no takers. I use these for lakers in canada, and they work great. I will have to try different methods this winter with these, becuase they should work. I just must be in the wrong spots

[live_2_fish]

I sometimes use gulp maggots. I was using some neon green ones fishing for crappies and caught a five lb walleye.

[Matt Johnson]

I'll fish plastics over live-bait every chance I get. A lot of great companies out there that make a nice plastic for under the ice, but like mentioned already, don't limit yourself to just the small-profiled ice plastics. A lot of your open water plastics can be used under the ice as well.

I use a lot of Ratso's/Shrimpo's and Little-Atom products. I'm also a fan of the line of Lindy and ISG plastics too. Tubes and Power Minnows work great as well.

Plastics allow you to keep your hands out of the minnow bucket or bait container. They also allow you to be the only thing that causes your presentation to move, meaning that you're not at the mercy of the bait to do the work, and you know exactly what your presentation is doing. I find great comfort in knowing that what my presentation is doing below the ice is in direct relation with my movements above the ice. Granted, there are times and situations where other factors come into play, but as a general rule you're in control.

You can tell me until you're blue-in-the-face that a minnow hooked through the back sits in a natural position... cause I won't buy it. You just shoved a giant piece of metal through its back, now you tell me just how natural that would be/feel if it were you or me with the big metal object in our back Same goes for a maggot. The struggle can indeed entice and trigger a bite at times, but there are other times (and sometimes more often) when sticking with more subtle movements can increase your catch. This is a big reason why plastics can play such an important role under the ice (and throughout the entire year for that matter).

Fish will take a plastic under the ice, it's just a matter of gaining confidence in your presentation. Switch to plastics the next time you're on a hot bite. I know it's tough, but it can give you that confidence boost...

We definitely need some ice... it's on it's way

[Reynolds]

I hear you on sticking your hands into the minnow bucket on zero degree day. I can hardly hook the minnow because my hands are so darn cold that I can't get my fingers to move.

[icehousebob]

For early ice Northern jigging, I'll put a two inch Power Grub on the lower treble of a flash or quiver lure. You get two different actions and sometimes it will really trigger the bite. Just hang onto your rod, there's not a lot of finesse when the Pike decides to hit it.

[hanson]

I've got to agree with a lot of what these guys have already said.

Most of my plastic experience is for panfish through the ice. There is just something about that little quivering plastic tail that will drive panfish nuts!

One of the first plastics that I ever really fished was the Custom Jigs & Spins Ratso. Even though I'm fishing a plastic, I generally hook a Eurolarva, or 2, on there as well when I start out fishing and let the fish tell me what kind of mood they are in. A lot of the time, the Euros will get picked clean off and you'll be able to keep catching fish with no bait. Thats when I was sold on plastics and became more interested in them.

Just the other day, I picked up a big handful of plastics from the local Gander Mt. including Custom Jigs, Lindy, and even Little-Atom plastics. I'm soooo pumped to see Little-Atom plastics in stores around MN now! Anyway, the kid checking me out asked if these things really worked. I just smiled and simply said Yes!

Another thing to consider when fishing plastics is the finesse nature in which they are fished. Most of the time, doing everything humanly possible to hold your rod still imparts enough action on the plastic underwater to catch fish. You don't need to wildly jig and I would advise against it. You generally want to have the plastic quivering.

When fishing plastics for panfish, another piece of equipment that is extremely valuable is a good spring bobber. The spring acts as a shock absorber of sorts which aids in that natural movement of the bait. The spring also detects bites for you as well!

I guess I tend to look at fishing plastics as a small part of a bigger idea of finesse fishing for panfish. Small baits, lifelike plastics, light line (2lb), spring bobbers, etc. All these small pieces of the puzzle will add up to fantastic panfishing.

This is just a small part of the world of plastics under the ice. Going bigger with plastics, and more aggressive, for panfish has its place as well and I have seen it work so you should not limit yourself.

[Matt Johnson]

There really isn't enough a person can say about the versatility and effectiveness that plastics can bring to the table. There's really a place for plastics when targeting just about every specie below the ice.

If anyone is interested, Pat Smith (Thorne Bros Pro Staffer) and I will be giving a seminar on Wednesday, December 13 at Thorne Bros in Fridley, MN at 7pm. It will be dedicated towards plastics under the ice. We plan on covering everything from panfish to pike and lakers, as well as everything in between. Pat Smith is the true definition of an ice fishing expert, so I'm excited to listen to him as well. We'll also throw a few deals your way for anyone in attendance

[hanson]

I'll be there Matt!

A few deals, eh? I'm, uuuhhh, sort of, like maybe, ummmm, looking at a new Perch Sweetheart.

This should be a good one!

[Matt Johnson]

Let me know Chris and I'll order you one up. We'll put your name on it and wrap the guides with pink and purple... sound good to you?