Ice Jigs

[gunna]

I wouldn't mind trying these next time I go to Somerset. But what the heck are they ?? Can someone post a picture or a link for me please.

Cheers

[Mike Delisser]

I've posted this extract from a BushnBeach article before but I'll do it again in case you missed it. If I were to update it i would probably add that I've just started to icejig with a 6' baitcaster after talking to Mike Conolly, it seems to be an improvement.

They all came from small schools holding on the bottom in 25 to 40 feet of water and showed a distinct preference for Ice Jigs over everything else. Ice Jigs are quite a strange looking lure with a single fixed hook protruding from each end and a light treble hanging below. As the name suggests, they're designed to be fished vertically through holes cut out of the ice on frozen lakes in the Northern Hemisphere, here in Aus we fish them basically the same way, just without the ice.

The best way to use them is to first locate with your sounder fish that are holding tight on the dam floor. Then, (and this is critical if you're to have any success) position the boat directly above them and keep it there with either an electric motor or by anchoring. Now after free-spooling the Ice Jig down to the dam floor, click the reel into gear and raise the lure approximately three inches off the bottom and hold it still. Now give your rod tip two very short, sharp flicks then pause the lure for several seconds again at that three inch level before giving it another couple of flicks and so on, and so on. Lowering the rod tip occasionally and relocating the bottom will help you keep your Ice Jig just in the correct zone and right in the fishes face. The idea of all this is to imitate a shrimp or tiny baitfish darting around on the dam floor, you'll get the picture by holding the lure just under the surface and studying of how it moves each time the rod tip is flicked, they're quite an amazing little lure really.

Light spin tackle is ideal for this technique with most anglers choosing to use a rod with a crisp action then running 4 to 6lb braid through to a leader of 6lb fluorocarbon. The main reason for such light gear is because the bite will feel like a couple of tiny taps, not unlike a small whiting bite. Try to resist the urge to strike and wait for the taps to increase to a rattle, then you should lift the rod tip and hopefully you'll feel the fish's weight. Also, in spite of so many hooks on the one lure, Ice Jigs have a bit of a reputation for just lipping the fish so it pays to use a fairly light drag and take it a little cautiously when winding in your catch.

Understandably Ice Jigs aren’t stocked by every tackle store so you may need to shop around a little or possibly ask to have some ordered in for you. Two of the most popular brands seem to be Strike Pro and Nils Master with the mid-size 7cm or 15gm version most suited to our bass.

[Steve B]

Mike,

I found balancing your rod over the palm of the front hand and tapping the butt of the rod with the other hand gives the jig a really good 'jerky' movement. Works pretty well,....I do the same jigging plastics too.

cheers Steve

[NAGG]

Thanks Mike

Its very interesting on the ideal tackle set up when using ice jigs -

I've only used IJs twice now ...... first time was on a very short (5ft GL2 loomis) & it was magnificent ( once I learnt what I was doing) - Good hookups - brilliant

The second time I used more typical bass / bream spin gear (7ft rods) ....... While I still caught plenty of fish - I suffered badly from missed fish where I would rip the jig upwards & because of the weight of the jig .... there was lag in the return of the load on the rod - The result being that when a bass hit the jig you had nothing to strike against & missed the fish.

This photo shows the outfit in action ...... with Daryl on the business end Attachment 49726 Attachment 49727

Cheers

Chris

[Mexikan]

Being keen to try the little suckers myself Ive just ordered some Russian made ice jigs from ebay.They look alright in pic(hand crafted and painted) and are reasonably priced.In a couple weeks I'll have an idea of the quality of the lures and I can give ausfishers the thumbs up or down.Keep you posted.
Gunna was asking the same question myself do the search for 'Ice jigs which ones?"
Mex