Finally caught fish on platics!

[Caleb S]

This fall I did a bunch of reading on using platics for panfish through the ice and also watched a few of the Ice Leaders videos. I had tried them my first 4 times out this year with no luck. Just got back from the lake and can happily report they finally worked. Best part was my strike to catch ratio was much higher than when using a minnow. Maybe they would have hit on anything tonight but if you have tried them with no luck maybe give them another try!?

Ratso with pink head and white body.

[KTapper]

I like Ratsos and Shrimpo which are pretty much the same just the eyelet it different. I have caught a lot of crappies and sunnies on them oh and even one sheepie ha

[smeese]

I like the Mini Mites by Cubby. The pink and white is a pretty good perch bait.

[Rick G]

For panfish my favorite is the powerbait wiglers in various colors

[Jesse Drummer]

caleb, what pound test line did you use with your ratso? some times or most of the time the lure can spin after it gets jigged. alot of times the fish react negatively to the spinning.

[Brade04]

When I use ratso/shrimpo I use 4 lb test line

[Caleb S]

Using 2 lb line. I had heard a spinning jig can be a negative. I was fishing in water clear enough that I could see the action of my jig and it was working as I wanted it to. I saw an article about tying a small barrel swivel inline above the jig to remedy the spinning if its an issue.

[Sandmannd]

Congrats on your first fish on plastics. They can be very productive.

[erickol]

Caleb, I am planning on using an inline swivel on most of my rigs from now on. I have been having problems with spinning, especially since I fish lots of droppers. I use 2, 3 and 4 pound lines on most of my rods. I'm hoping the swivels will help........ and I'm guessing the tiny extra weight will help get my small jigs down a little faster (what's the next speed up from glacial?).

[hooksetta16]

I agree the swivel addition helps, however I have found when you encounter negative fish they are more interested in your swivel than your bait!!

[carnelianlake]

Caleb, I don't believe you caught any fish out there! ha ha, j/k. You know who this is right? We've shared way too many painful, fishless trips to that lake!

[Caleb S]

You finally signed up. Must be having a tough day at work!

[pdk511]

the ratsos are crazy good!!

[mrfish1991]

Erickol.... I believe that is called molasas in january

[CNY Tim]

Plastics are great and I fish them first for sunnies and crappies. Makiplastics Maki is my favorite in white, glow and brown/black flake. There really durable, one of my brown maki's has caught two walleyes about 50 crappies and 40 sunfish before I had to replace it, that's durability.