Lures and tackle Get started with basic lures. Small " ice flies " work wonders for most panfish and trout. Carry a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Glow-in-the-dark versions are great for murky waters and species that bite after dark like crappies. Circle hooks in sizes 4 through 1 work well on tip-ups for pickerel, pike and Largemouth Bass. Wire leaders are needed for toothy predators. Jigging spoons and minnow lures attract active winter fish like Walleyes and Yellow Perch. Small lead-free weights get your bait down in deeper water and straighten out curly lines in cold weather. A few light foam bobbers suspend your lure and bait in the water. A selection of small and medium ice flies and jigging lures is all you need to start ice fishing. Often, smaller lures are better. Adjustable bobbers are key to suspending your lures. Sonar units and cameras Flashers, graphs and other depth finding units show where your lure is located and nearby fish. They can be expensive, but they are a great addition to your ice fishing gear. Most come with a carrying case to enable easy deployment. Flashers offer instant data, easy readability and simple setting adjustments. Graphing units offer scrolling Bluegills are fun targets and readily take ice flies. Use a flasher-style depth finder to see where your ice fly is underwater and if there are any large fish lurking nearby. 6 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater