Click 'n Go

Icefishing/Panfish Tips and Tricks! SAFETY FIRST!! NEVER ASSUME ICE IS SAFE. Contact your local DNR for changing ice conditions. Let someone know where you're going icefishing, and when you will return. Bring survival gear when conditions warrant. Use common sense at all times! TIPS First ice and last ice are the two most productive times for icefishing. Fish shallow early and late ice. Look to deeper edges in mid-winter. Crappies will stage near spawning areas near last ice. Keep moving, looking for active fish. Drill several holes and use a good flasher to find fish. REMEMBER: locators don't lie, ...no fish? ...MOVE!! If fish are suspended, fish just above or at the level they are suspending at. TRICKS *When fish are biting light... go to 1 pound line, ...try smaller jigs, ...bend barbs in, ...use a spring bobber and watch for slight lifts, those are BITES! *If fish are fussy... try going to smaller grubs or minnows. Sometimes, small plastics work with fussy fish. *Change colors often. Bluegills and perch seem to like fluorescent colors more so than crappies. Chartreuse is a great all-around color. *Flip your knots UP after tying on your jig. *Moving the knot to the side makes a FLIRTY GIRTY swim in a circle. This can be effective. *Black FLIRTY GIRTYS can be deadly on crappies early and late in the day. *Ripping the jig up violently and letting it fall back down, has worked for me to trigger fish. *Experiment with live bait and scents. I knew of a fisherman who used grape jelly smeared on his jig. I knew of another who used cooked barley when he ran out of waxies. I tried it, and it worked!

Trying new techniques makes fishing more interesting and FUN!

Hook'em Up!

Dave Sumner