HARDWATER FISHIN’ 101 A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO A SUCCESSFUL SEASON ON THE ICE BY MACK’S LURE PRO STAFF MIKE HALL

Number one is reading the ice. You a good selection of your favorite lures, need to know the quality and thickness a trash bag and, of course, a 5 gallon of the ice to determine when it’s safe bucket or a sled for transport. Oh, to venture on to the water. Clear ice is yes, a chair to sit on is always handy stronger than cloudy or grey colored ice. and a snowmobile is the pinnacle of Two inches of clear, solid ice on small transportation on ice. Ice is a bodies of water will support one person, family and friends outing, so snacks or but four inches is really what is needed hot meals are always a delight. The idea to be safe. Ice with cracks, open spots is that you balance your fun with enough or pressure ridges is not safe and these gear to be comfortable and prepared areas should be avoided. On larger for this outdoor adventure. bodies of water, six inches of clear or 12 inches of cloudy ice is a safe standard. We live in the information age with BY MIKE HALL MACKSLURE.COM Ice varies in thickness on all waters the internet and social media front and as currents, warm springs, or physical center. Hot spots are announced hourly formation as ice freezes impacts quality and picture of and for success are I picked up the mail the other day and thickness. everywhere. Smart phone apps show and was excited to see this year’s ice you detailed maps of nearly all water catalogs. Cooler weather and new stuff Other options should include a first and GPS will plot the places to try. On is what fuels my soul for winter fun on aid kit and a length of rope. These are top of that, a finder and underwater the hard deck. Ice brings many friends a must for cut fingers, fish hooks and camera will show you the fish. Here are with that shared passion to my lakes rescue tactics should someone fall a few tips that have produced many for good times and great adventures. through the ice. Dress in layers and dinner friends on my adventures. I hope these few words will help bring buy a quality ice suit that will make life you the cure for cabin fever this winter. comfy out there in cold weather. There , such as crappie, blue gill are several outerwear products to keep and yellow perch, are a favorite. Now, let’s get started with the nuts, you toasty, but ice suits float and help They’re social fish and tend to school in bolts and knowledge to make your ice maintain body temperatures should an numbers. Crappie and yellow perch can fishing season a success. accident happen. Don’t be sorry, be be found in the main lake basin during safe. winter months, suspended or close to Above all else, safety on the ice is the bottom and tend to move around. paramount. Time in the outdoors on Essential equipment begins with an Try areas around the edges of the main ice is always a risky business, at best. ice auger to drill holes and a dipper lake basin with underwater drop-offs or Although, being prepared and well- to remove ice slush. The list continues informed can make the difference with a fish finder, for sure, a rod holder, LIKE US ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM between disaster or cold water memory. heater, and reel, ice shelter,

1 points. Particularly, look for hard bottom, underwater springs, trees or rock piles, which can all be bonanzas. Crappie will often chart on the finder as clutter or clouds of fish, but perch will show up as single fish or in small groups. Both crappie and yellow perch are found from 10- to 50-feet of water as a rule.

Bluegills are found in less than 20- feet of water and near or in weed beds. Generally, they will stay in an area for several days or weeks. These fish like weed edges, holes in the vegetation and submerged trees or bushes.

Trout can be found suspended in open water near underwater river channels and often visit weed lines and underwater points to feed. Trophy trout are generally single fish, but will inhabit areas that hold other trout. Feed types are the deciding factor. For example, minnows or insect life.

Kokanee are near the edge of the main current line and suspended whereas walleye are more versatile predators and can be found in water from shore to center of the lake.

The real keys here are temperature of the water, currents and preferred food resources. Be versatile in your search and move if you do not see fish on the finder. Early season fish are likely in or near the inflows of lakes because the temperature is stable. Late season fish tend to be toward the main lake basin and deeper because water at that depth is generally warmer. Search different depths and structure types until a pattern can be determined. CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR THE ICE VALUE PACKS AT MACKSLURE.COM

Drill holes in a line from shallow to deep and try different depths. Compare the structure where you see fish to other similar places on your GPS maps. Decipher the graph or inspect in the hole for minnows, current, weeds, insect life or microbiology. All fish inhabit an area or depth for a reason. Find that reason and you will be more successful.

Lures have five group types: spinners, jigs, crank baits, spoons and top water. Pointing out the obvious, top water lures are paramount for . Although, the other groups have offerings that are commonly used for ice fishing as a vertical pursuit.

Size is both detrimental and relative CASCADE LAKE ICE FISHING WITH MIKE HALL, ROBIN AND BOBBY SHINDELAR ON ANGLER WEST

2 for success. Small lures and offerings Again, size plays a large role in are very popular, but are not always the success. Smaller, more subtle attractors answer. Using a small tear drop when like the Flash Lite® Troll or the larger NEW fish are actively feeding on three-inch Sling Blade™ 6” with a weigh added to minnows can have its drawbacks. Try the bottom and jigged slowly are fish matching the lure to both the activity magnets. These can also be suspended levels and the feeding behavior. at any depth to attract walleye, perch, crappie, trout or salmon. Fish bite a lure for several reasons: anger, hunger, instinct, territory or spoons are my favorite lure for spawn, to mention just a few. Neutral ice fishing, as they will catch anything fish generally respond to smaller lures that swims. At the top of this list, of and active fish respond TECHto larger GUIDE lures. course, is the Sonic BaitFish™ because of the range in sizes from small to large, Address both the size of lures (small and its success with bass, crappie, yellow to large) and the colors when stocking perch, , burbot, lake trout, your inventory of offerings. Colors should kokanee and many more. This lure will include or incorporate silver, brass, work right out of the box with no tuning copper, pink, orange, chartreuse, white required. There are 12 different ways and, especially, glow in the dark. Target to rig this amazing spoon and endless SHOP MACK’S LURE UV SCENTS neutral and metallic patterns on clear application to cath whatever swims. water, painted lures in murky water and glow for dark water (use a Glo® Hook). Ice fishing is a vertical presentation of 2) Waving the flag. Lift and drop a lure, commonly termed jigging. These the rod, allowing the lure to free fall jigging presentations can be used on the backwards. The lift and drop can vary ice and are also effective in open water from a few inches to several feet. for year round success on your favorite Different waves are also effective. For waters. The basic rule is to keep your line example, slow up, slow down; fast up as vertical as possible. Allowing the line fast, down; or mix them. This action to drift to the side will aid in attracting allows the lure to roll and flutter with fish, but for perfect presentations, pause full action. Don’t be a tourist. Jerking and hold the rod still and allow the line or waving without purpose may make to again become vertical. This gives the you seem friendly with others, but won’t angler absolute control over the rise and catch dinner. However, moving the lure fall rate, as well as the lure action. This with intention will. Remember, the strikes is important because once you find an are often very soft and your full attention effective wiggle, you need to repeat the is absolutely necessary. Most strikes are presentation. felt and some are indicated by the lure stopping or the line becoming slack. Here are four simple methods of presentation to make you a master at 3) Gently pumping the rod with small ice fishing and jigging with any lure, but lifts and drops. Remember to add long especially jigging spoons: or short pauses to the pumping action to incite fish to strike. This imparts action 1) Lower the lure to the desired depth not only to the lure but to the bait on and simply hold it still. The trick is to your hook, making the lure appear alive. watch the fish finder as the lure falls and Again, pay attention to the finder as stop where the fish are. Small bits of fish attracted to this action show up. your favorite bait are just as effective as Simply pause and wait for the strike. Now, let’s talk attractors. They are a plain lure. Be sure not to add too much If the fish seem disinterested then very generally tied in-line, 6- to 14-inches bait to the lure, as this tends to restrict slowly lift the lure., as this often incites above the lure and aid the fish in finding the action. Another tip is to use scents a strike. Adding a small blade or a glow your offering and enticing a strike. in place of bait, as they won’t affect bead to the hook is a tremendous way to They come in all sizes. Small attractors, the action of lures. My favorite is a new increase catches with this presentation. such as the Smile Blade® 0.8 or large product for ProCure called Bait Waxx. Pounding the bottom, lifting the lure and attractors, such as the Sling Blade™ 4”. Try using un-baited lures if the water pausing is another dynamic way to be Thinking outside the box, attractors can is clear, but remember the thickness effective. This is a big aid in attracting also be used effectively by themsleves or snow covered ice restricts the light fish to the offering. on a separate line in an adjacent ice levels and fish may not be able to see hole. These are extremely productive for an offering. Perhaps this is the reason 4) Swim or drag the lure side to side. attracting especially large or schooling the glow in the dark lures are the most Make sure to slightly pump the lure when fishing to a certain location. popular. moving it. This brings reaction strikes and lifelike attraction to the lure. Keep

3 in mind, using the zoom feature on your bait to the SBF: 1) Some states, such SBF that can easily reach your target fish finder will help you to see fish and as Washington state, prohibit the use species when drifting or at anchor. Why? the lure better. Most often, fish swim of live bait; 2) Many times, natural bait Because a light-weight SBF flutters, and upward to bite a lure so presenting attracts nuisance fish and smaller fish; suspends, better than a heavier SBF. the lure above the fish will be the most 3) Adding bait reduced the balance, effective method. An exception to this, and action, of the SBF; 4) Eliminates Thank you for subscribing to the Mack though, is pounding the bottom and handling of mess (ordors and blood); 5) Attack Magazine. Please join us next leaving the lure to rest on the bottom. Eliminates needlessly killing of ; month for the January issue. Best holiday I’ve found that this produces walleye 6) Eliminates extra costs of buying and wishes — Capt Pete. and lake trout quite often. These four handling live and dead bait; 7) Eliminates presentations can be varied or mixed need for using a bait knife and cutting and matched to fine tune any catch. one’s self; 8) The most effective strike- Watch your fish finder to see which triggering feature in a fishing lure is the presentation is effective in attracting DOWNWARD FLUTTER! No other lure type fish and exciting a strike, then repeat it. comes close in matching this critical action. This is the concept, and principle The ticket here is (as is the case action, of the SBF, which duplicates the with all fishing) to become versatile. action of crippled and injured bait fish. Information is everywhere, but it doesn’t This is why, so many times, a SBF will work if you don’t use it. Move if you’re out-fish a live bait fish, attached to a not seeing fish on the locator, try a hook, that often-times will swim laterally different presentation or lure but, above instead of fluttering vertically. I consider all else, be flexible in your approach. vertical jigging on a slow drift to be Beginners only have a few ways to without peer in consistently catching catch fish, but the pros have thousands fish. This combination of a slow, natural of ways. A great is one that drift, and the downward flutter of a SBF, learns to climb the informational ladder is an unbeatable presentation! to the top. The payoff is more fish, more fun and an increased interest in this The reasons for tipping (adding bait) sport that we all pursue. Be safe in your to the SBF is to add scent: 1) When ice- endeavors and remember to enjoy and jigging; 2) For certain conditions that share fishing with others. I’ll see you on cause fish to stop biting a bare SBF, such the lake. as: muddy water, increased tidal or river flow, abnormally cold or warm water, too fast of a drift, rapid barometer and SONIC BAITFISH™ (SBF) wind changes.

TIPS & TECHNIQUES Examples of tipping include: Nightcrawler pieces for walleye (Lake Erie or Columbia River); Shrimp, squid, octopus or cutbait (Gulf of Mexico snapper, grouper and other bottom- related species. Note: These are very rare examples of when I had to tip the SBF.

Advantages of fishing with a tipped SBF instead of tipped jigheads and weighted hooks (hooks attached to lines that are weighted with a variety of sinkers) include: Even in very little water movement, the SBF is designed to move IS BAIT EVER ADDED TO THE SBF without any rod movement. Because of their natural appearance, and BY PETE ROSKO SBF TECH GUIDE swimming action, fish will still-strike the SBF, after the bait has been removed. In comparison, the bare jigheads and Question: Is bait ever added to the weighted hooks will be “dead in the Sonic BaitFish™ (SBF)? Personally, I water.; The flash and flutter of the SBF almost never attach bait to the SBF in still triggers strikes long after the tipped fresh or saltwater. bait is gone.

Here’s some reasons for not adding Critical tip: Always jig the smallest

4 QUESTION OF THE MONTH Have a questions you want answered? Send your inquiry to us and yours may be featured! Simply send an email to [email protected] or reach out to us on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. Just search @MacksLure and you’ll find us!

Q: I’ve heard a lot about Glo® Hooks, especially for ice fishing. PHOTO OF THE MONTH How would you recommend Mack’s Lure Pro Staff Jeff Witkowski of Darrell & Dad’s Guide Service (Chelan, WA) rigging them? shows off one of dozens of Lake Roosevelt walleye Harrod Outdoors has been on. A: That’s a good question. And the Glo® Hooks are awesome ice fishing lures that can be used in conjunction with other products or as a standalone lure for various panfish.

Attach a Glo® Hook with a 2-inch leader to the tail of a Sonic BaitFish™ or rig a Glo® Hook with a Double D™ Dodger or Sling Blade™ to increase your attraction. Be sure to rig your dodger backwards, however, as this will provide the Glo® Hook with more action on the rise and fall.

Simply attach a 14- to 16-inch leader to a Glo® Hook in the color of your choosing. In between the dodger and the hook, attach a couple of split shot weights to help keep the VIDEO OF THE MONTH presentation vertical, then slowly jig up 4- to 6-inches, then drop and Mack’s Lure’s Mike Hall and Harrod Outdoors head to Cascade Lake (ID) to target repeat until your rod starts dancing. giant perch through the ice with Sonic BaitFish on The Northwest Outdoorsmen.

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