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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: jl3140 on 12/24/12 17:11 UTC

Title: Best Ice Fishing Lure
Post by: jl3140 on 12/24/12 17:11 UTC
I'm planning on buying an ice fishing lure mold. What are your guy's favorite types of lures you make yourself? I will be fishing areas with smaller fish (up to 18" northern, 12" bass, and 8" perch) Also, merry Christmas to everybody.
Title: Re: Best Ice Fishing Lure
Post by: andrewlamberson on 12/24/12 17:30 UTC
I keep a 1.75'' carrot on one of my ice rods...super crappie bait in the spring.
Title: Re: Best Ice Fishing Lure
Post by: ctom on 12/25/12 08:40 UTC
I have had chats with Andrew about this and basically I have two schools of thought on the subject. Personally I like baits with super active tails [whip tailed baits]. The new Nano Fry touches on the other aspect, that being light reflectivity and the tail on that bait is like a mirror. Somewhere not long ago Andrew posted a pic of a nano who's tail was just electric with light reflection.

Based on your descrition of the fish you'll be chasing the nano might be a better option since these fish need to see the bait before getting too interested in it. The small carrot offers some good characteristics as do the ice picks. All of these are light reflectors.

Personally I start with whip-tailed baits. But if I had to choose one mold I'd do the Nano. These will cover a ton of ice needs plus they'll cover as much in open water too. The ice picks might be good for sticking just to ice, but that nano is just a do-all bait in my eyes.
Title: Re: Best Ice Fishing Lure
Post by: andrewlamberson on 12/25/12 08:59 UTC
100% agree on the nano for bluegills, crappie and yellow perch. Landed two small bass on it Sat (ice was scary thin!).

I keep a larger carrot on one rod for bass....larger profile and bigger hook.

2 degrees here this Christmas am... ''Making ice'' !! Thank-you Santa.
Title: Re: Best Ice Fishing Lure
Post by: fsh4fun on 12/25/12 09:11 UTC
Not enough ice here yet,so I haven`t tried my new Nano`s. But I`m thinking they`ll be the hot ticket!!
Title: Re: Best Ice Fishing Lure
Post by: jl3140 on 12/25/12 09:14 UTC
I've got a few nanos that I will try out this next week when I go ice fishing. We've had sub-zero temperatures the last few days so that should thicken up the 8 or so inches of ice we already have. Thanks
Title: Re: Best Ice Fishing Lure
Post by: pjmcla on 12/25/12 09:30 UTC
Please keep that weather up your way.  I prefer 70 and a light south wind  :D.  And the only ice is in my tea.
Title: Re: Best Ice Fishing Lure
Post by: ctom on 12/25/12 10:04 UTC
Its just 10 am now and we are right on 0. Clear as a bell, colder than h........well, you know.

Can't snarl over a nice clear day on Christmas no matter how cold it is. I carp about the cold and snow but really having 4 seasons here is truely a part of the beauty we have. Wouldn't trade it.

Maybe we'll get another winter like last and then we can enjoy some 70's up here in Feb. And March. And April.....the 80's in May and June. Then 90's in July and August.
Title: Re: Best Ice Fishing Lure
Post by: Denny Welch on 12/25/12 16:41 UTC
X2 re Paul.
Title: Re: Best Ice Fishing Lure
Post by: jl3140 on 12/28/12 08:29 UTC
I went ice fishing yesterday with some nanos, 1.75 fry and some minnows. The ice was around 8 inches thick and I think when I finally packed up it was around 0 degrees. I didn't catch a single thing, but I'm going to a different lake this weekend that have good fishing reports for walleye and perch.