How many of you guys use plastic

[Huntin&Fishin]

How many of you guys use plastic on your jigs and not real bait. I just picked up some of Bro's jigs and the have some little plastic on them. Do you ever use just the plastic on them?

[smeese]

I have used the power bait and stuff a bit on some Rapala Jigs for scent with some sucess, live bait is my preference, but anything that adds movement or appeal can not be that bad.

[walleyecaber]

I use plastic i would guess 99.9 percent of the time fishing for walleye's.Depending on the time of the year bigger can be better and there are times where i just put a small piece on for color.I also use plastic with live bait with a good deal of luck.As far as the scented plastic i dont use it much i mostly use mister twister and paddle tails or split tails once again i only use these well eye fishing.I have used the minnow style plastic also with some great luck.

[PerchJerker]

I use plastics a lot, and more and more all the time. It's great when the fish are aggressive, and at times you can trigger more bites from finnicky fish with plastic than you can with real bait.

[stumper]

Plastic ROCKS, it will turn finicky fish into aggressive fish. I too just bought a bunch of Bros new jigs. I have been using Maki plastics and LOVE them. They last for 20 to 30 fish easily.

[Sandmannd]

I use them all the time.

[JimBuck]

You bet I do. On the ice probably 80 percent of my fishing is done with some sort of poured or manufactured plastic. My open water plastic habit is something I try not to think about.

[Borch]

I used plastics almost exclusively for ice fishing. I just won't leave home without it.

[Sonicrunch]

I think you guys are lying. You want all the fish to yourselves.

[fadal]

I have tried plastic with zero luck.I must be missing something what kinds work the best? Pictures would help greatly. I am not real familiar with names other then mister twister.

[PmDavis300]

I have tried plastic with zero luck.I must be missing something what kinds work the best? Pictures would help greatly. I am not real familiar with names other then mister twister.

i agree, i have no idea howto use plastics on ice. someone care to explain in EXTREME lay-mens terms?

[evinrude19]

i use plastics 90% of the time and the only time i use minnows is on tip ups and a deadstick with a bobber and plain hook

I just started to get into the plastics the end of 2 seasons ago and i havent looked back! The best i have used is the power wigglers waxies and the power bait tubes little atom nuggies

[slabchaser]

i tried plastics toward the end of last season. could get it to work on the first couple trips and then I got the hang of it and iced a lot of crappies on another trip.

[graingrower]

For panfish I rarely use waxies or eurolarvae; the minnow bucket never gets used. Ratsos and ants make up more than half of my tackle. The chubby darter comes out when both crappies and walleye are present. Fish them with 2# line and without a bobber. A flasher is a must; it will guide your presentation to match the mood of the fish. I personally do not use split shot as the slow descent seems to entice more strikes.

[s2h]

Originally Posted By: fadal

I have tried plastic with zero luck.I must be missing something what kinds work the best? Pictures would help greatly. I am not real familiar with names other then mister twister.

i agree, i have no idea howto use plastics on ice. someone care to explain in EXTREME lay-mens terms?

I would like to know and try this as well. Always thought about it but never did.

[Bob Horn]

I am looking at getting some of those Bro jigs. Little Atom nuggies are the bomb. I catch more fish on them then any other plastic.

[CNY Tim]

My belief after 9 years of using plastics that the most important part of your panfish arsenal is plastic. It all started with Custom Jigs and Spins Finesse plastic tails and a plain lead head 1/32 oz. ball head jig. Since those early days I have used a plethora of plastics with great success but the key to fishing plastics at times is matching the hatch as in trout fishing with your fly box. Get the right plastic, impart the right jigging action and stick to it. Plastics in tourney fishing are very important when you match the hatch, get in your rythym, and are not fumbling for your bait puck. I have expanded my plastics arsenal to include Little Atom and Maki Plastics. Having a variety of plastics in varying styles and colors will keep you prepared for anygiven fishing situation. I raley switch to live bait when fishing for panfish. Try to think like a fish you can get alot of natural movement from a piece of scented plastic and there is no incorrec way to rig it. Experiment, practice, and practice some more because plastics help you get up and down faster and eventually will lead you to higher catch rates. Colors and sizes oh my, manufacturers have answered the call and Maki Plastics will custom make any colors you desire. For the first timer experiment with glow, chartreuse and black. That's what I did so long ago the rest they say is history.

[gritsnham]

It depends on the situation but always try plastics. You save bait and sometimes it is the only bait fish will bite on. I like the berkley plastics alot for ice fishing and they have worked very well for me at times on the ice.

[slabchaser]

great post CNY TIM

[polarsusd81]

Originally Posted By: PmDavis300

Originally Posted By: fadal

I have tried plastic with zero luck.I must be missing something what kinds work the best? Pictures would help greatly. I am not real familiar with names other then mister twister.

i agree, i have no idea howto use plastics on ice. someone care to explain in EXTREME lay-mens terms?

I would like to know and try this as well. Always thought about it but never did.

Okay guys, here is the deal. If you are just getting into plastics the best way to do it is not on an off day, but rather when the fish are really going on live bait, switch a line over to plastic but keep your bobber rod or dead stick going with a minnow or what have you. Use plastic on your jigging rod and work it, you must impart the action to the bait. Put a plastic trailer on your jig and work it in the hole to figure out your rhythm, then drop it down and work it for the fish.

As for bait choices, there are tons out there. CNY mentioned a couple of the originators in the ice plastics world, but others make some good stuff too. Check out the Berkley Power Minnows in 2" and 1 1/2" sizes. Also you must take a look at the entire line-up of Little Atom plastics. The Nuggie is one of the best plastics I have ever seen for ice fishing, put it on your hook and try to hold it still. I have caught walleye, bass, crappies, bluegills, pike, perch and even tulibee on plastic baits. They are definitely worth a try, but be smart about it. You need to build up your confidence with them. Once you build up that confidence level, you will pass right on by the bait shop on your way to the lake cause your bait is on the rod before you leave the house.

[Beege]

One of the most important parts of fishing plastic in my opinion is always get the plastic on the hook straight. Don't just toss it on and say good enough. You get better action if the plastic is threaded on the hook properly.

[luv2fish]

I agree with most everything said. I started out 2 years ago using the ratso and shrimpo jigs and plastic. I did as good as my buddy who doesn't use it. Last year I bought a few packs of the nuggies, WOW. It is always nice to try plastics when you are with a buddy using live bait. Then you can tell quickly is the fish are not on, or if your plastics are not working how you want.

[NCLaker]

I have tried plastic with zero luck.I must be missing something what kinds work the best? Pictures would help greatly. I am not real familiar with names other then mister twister.

Go to the ice fishing today HSOforum - they have a video demo on fishing plastics. Look under Schooling Crappies + Web Extras tab. It is a decent intro to using plastics. There are a lot of different ways to use them, ya have to experiment based on the mood of the fish being targeted. Having a Flasher and/or underwater camera will help you understand what is working and what is not. Getting them interested is usually not the hard part, it is getting them to bite that is the biggest trick.

Big problem people can have is the jig spinning - often times this is a big cause for lookers not turning into biters. Spinning can often be caused by line twisting on the drop or while jigging. If you think you are having this problem, Can reduce its affects by keeping your jig moving (usually down to a "quiver" if they are sniffing).

[CNY Tim]

Just wanted too add to NC Laker's post that Maki Plastics also has great action videos on his web site of what action looks like when applied to plastics, rigging tips as well.

[toughguy]

I use plastics often but I usually add waxies or larva for smell & taste. That being said, I am not the kind of guy that likes to sit there constantly jig all day. If I see something on the vex I'll jig until I catch one or it goes away. But if there isn't anything going on I'll sit and watch my bobber. I like to use bobbers because I'm known to consume some beverages, listen to the radio, and yak with my fishing buds.