Help!

[jegerjack]

I have only been ice fishing a couple of years and I have a question along with a story. A couple years ago myself and two other guys went my friends cabin. We mostly fish pike and we were using a ice house that has 3 hole in close proximity to each other. We fished all day and the end result was, my two buddies caught close to their limit and I caught zero. Not even a bite. Now the funny thing was I was using a actual rod and reel and they were using those wooden sticks with the pegs that you loop the line around (they bought them at a gas station, so I guess a rod does not matter). I tried using a Rapala ice fishing lure and a ordinary jig and sucker (they caught all the fish on the jig). My question is what type of lures do people recommend for ice pike fishing and is there any type of presentation I am not using? Our three holes where all right next to each other and all three of us were just jigging. Thanks, JegerJack.

[Seabass77]

Jegerjack,

There are several possibilities as to why you were skunked but my guess would be that you called the fish in with your jigging rap, but the fish decided to take the live bait instead. Often times, fish behavior is similar to that of humans…. climb as high as you can on the Maslow’s scale of Hierarchy, but with expending the least amount of energy. You triggered the curiosity but the option of jig and minnow is just too appealing, at that particular time, for the fish to give up.

On the flip side, fish can prefer a more aggressive approach. This is often because your presentation causes them to react rather then inspect. However, in the situation you stated above, my bet would be that the fish might always take the live bait.

If I were you, I would take advantage of this and fish a deadstick with a minnow right next to your jigging rap and take full advantage.

Think Ice!!!

Joe

[This message has been edited by Jim W (edited 11-26-2002).]

[Jim W]

jegerjack,

First, Welcome aboard!!! You came to the right place my friend!!

As far as your inquiry. It's tough to say exactly what went down, but I and I am sure many others have experienced the" Hey, your hole is onle a couple feet from mine, why are you catching and I am not" scenario.

Lure type, presentation and technique can be factors. The location of the hole, yes only a couple feet away, can make a difference as well. What's on the bottom and why and where exactly the predator/prey realtionship is taking place below needs to be addressed.

Generally, I use tip-ups for Northern fishing and jig for crappies, perch and walleye!

If the body of water houses a good population of "Jacks", jigging for other species will result in catching Northerns as well.

I recommend getting a hold of a variety of jigging spoons and getting comfortable with a couple.

Spoons will have varied action so getting acustomed to each of their independent movement will be key.

Try getting a hold of some Angel Eye spoons, Northland Buckshot spoons, and Swedish Pimples, tipping them with a head of a fathead minnow.

It's something that will take a little time.
I hope this helps some?

Keep the rods bendin'!!

Jim W

[merc]

I have tried many different techniques for these critters and my best presentation is just a plain hook with a sucker minnow. Some lakes differ but over all this works best for me. Good luck and if one thing doesn't seem to work keep experimenting.

[LaVoi]

On the ice I am usually using tip-ups when pike fishing. I believe the key is bait location. I always try to set my bait (which is usually a sucker on plain hook or jig) about a half inch above the weeds. Big pike will will lay low in the weeds and when they see the struggling minnow they will take advantage of the easy minnow as they dart out of the weeds ambushing their prey. Also most of the winter season I am fishing real shallow for pike. nine feet or less. If their is not weeds present I move on till I find some. Preferably you want to find the green weeds. And yes even in February their is still green weeds down there. Hope this may help. -LaVoi