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Here are
few great TIPS for catching fish ....
Comfort
Zones
Fish have what I call a “comfort zone,” or a certain
depth range that they prefer to hold.
When you identify this zone on your locator, work the upper
edge, barley dropping your jig in and raising it out as the
fish nears it. Fish are more likely to hit a lure when it appears
as if it is leaving their comfort zone.
The
Second Hole Tactic
If a current is pulling your lure out of your locator’s
viewing cone, drill another hole a short distance downstream.
With any luck, you will be able to see your bait…as well
as any fish about to bite! I also use the second hole tactic
when I begin to lose fish at a hole. Wrapping line around your
locator’s transducer sometimes gives Crappies the little
slack they need to come off at the hole. Some days, I drill
a few 4 inch holes; as placing your transducer in a separate
hole will reduce the risk of your line catching on it-and in
turn losing a fish.
Muddin’
When I’m fishing Perch and they are not cooperating (especially
around midday), I rap my bait on the lake bottom in order to
stir it up. I have caught many Perch with mud caked on their
lower jaws; I believe they stir up the bottom in search of blood
worms and other food.
Jumping
Over the years, I have seen slow fishing turn into madness just
as soon as a vehicle passes near a hole being fished. I believe
that fish begin to move when something travels over them; thus
a vehicle passing overhead may cause some fish to move…in
my direction! If action is slow I try jumping on the ice in
a big circle around my hole; often times I am able to stir some
up by doing this. Am I crazy? Maybe so…
Here
are some TRICKS that I've used over the years....
*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. *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!
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