Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2021 - 37

That should be the starting point
when choosing a jig. The optimal jig
exists, and it has a following on ice.
But, ice jigs are as deadly in open
water situations.
The ice jigs I use have a horizontal
line tie. Some look like an ordinary
jig head while others sport a bulbous
head. The distinct feature amongst
ice jigs are small hooks, which range
between size 8 and size 16.
Switching to ice jigs is an exercise
of downsizing. However, that is not to
say one is limiting the size of a catch.
In fact, tiny jigs account for my largest
crappies each year. And, when fished
in the appropriate places, I do not
contend with undersized " bait stealers. " When presenting ice jigs beneath a float, push the clinch knot to the rear portion of the
Traditional crappie jigs often weed line tie (toward the hook), so the jig sits level. Opening the hook gap, thereby increasing the
out Bluegills and perch. Ice jigs invite hook angle, can improve hookups. Be careful when adjusting as the hooks are quite fragile.
more panfish species to the party and
the line creates a considerable disadvantage for panfish
even attract the occasional Golden Shiner, Largemouth
as it limits detection of the " up " bite. The " up " bite occurs
Bass, or Chain Pickerel when conditions allow.
when fish, especially crappies, come from below the
lure to bite. This upward force creates slack in the line,
Shallow
causing the float, on a balanced rig, to lay on its side
Crappies and Bluegills move shallow towards the end
rather than submerge.
of the ice season, and that is where I find fish when lakes
With weight on the line, a fish may inhale and exhale
thaw. The surest way to catch early season panfish is with
the
bait without the angler knowing. Ice jigs provide a
a lightweight ice jig tipped with one to three waxworms.
direct
connection, so additional weight is not necessary.
Although this shallow migration is to feed, there is
I
choose
heavier ice jigs to achieve the desired depth
no guarantee of willing participants in cold water. Still,
faster and pull the line more easily through the slip float.
panfish are often receptive to the slow decent of ice jigs,
I tip with halved redworms on occasion. Most often, I
which weigh between 1/100- and 1/50-ounces. The scent
use scented soft plastics or biodegradable plastics.
from the punctured waxworms helps turn lookers into
biters. Bluegills effortlessly inhale tiny jigs. Minimal
Deep
resistance means more hooksets and fewer rejections.
Panfish location during the summertime closely
Lightweight ice jigs rely on the help of a float for
mirrors wintering haunts. When air temperatures climb
accurate casting. Depending on the panfish, I suspend the
in July and August, panfish retreat to deeper water, where
jig between 10 inches and 24 inches below a fixed float.
there is favorable water temperature and oxygen levels
The added benefit to float fishing is that the jig stays in
available. Again, zooplankton is the primary food source.
place, creating a vertical approach, much like ice fishing.
Vertical jigging effectively targets panfish schooling at
Using ice jigs is step one. But, why not bring the same
depths greater than 15 feet of water.
principles of ice fishing into open water fishing?
With the float stationary, I impart the " pound "
Tungsten ice jigs are tailormade for extracting fish
technique by aggressively shaking the rod tip with a
from the fathoms. Since tungsten is a dense metal,
locked wrist. Some may call this " bobber jigging " in open
tungsten jigs are much smaller than lead jigs of equal
water. This tactic animates the jig and causes it to bounce.
weight. This means tungsten jigs can be quite heavy, yet
maintain profiles characteristic of deep-water forage.
Locating fish is the greatest obstacle. Studying lake
Mid-depth
maps and utilizing electronics help dispel the mysteries of
I target panfish in mid-depth zones-8- to 15-feet-
offshore environments.
during the early pre-spawn period and again after the
Gradually feather the jig downward, stopping above
spawn. This is the first significant depth change adjacent to
the school. In open water, smaller fish will prefer the
spawning flats.
safety of the school. The larger, less vulnerable fish will
Horizontal casting or trolling presentations are best to
locate isolated schools of fish. Once I find the schools, I pick
break from the pack. Experiment with the jigging motion
the school apart with a jig fished beneath a slip float.
until you find the fish-yielding cadence.
The traditional slip float setup places splitshot on the
Panfish feed heavily on small organisms. Use ice jigs
line a foot or so above a plain hook. Adding weight to
year-round to match the food source.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * January/February 2021

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2021

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