ice fishing for big bass

It is crazy to see how slow these big bass inhale the bait in the winter. As winter finally fades, many kayak anglers throughout New England and other regions are getting to see open water for the first time in months. Five Ice Out Lures and Techniques that Catch Big BassDrew Haerer. Tanner is offering competitive rates of $250 for a half day and $350 for a full day includes 1-3 people. Just after ice out, I rig a casting jig in the 1/4 to 3/8 oz range. Ice fishing for bass is an elemental game of reduction. Therefore, I may go to a non-deep diving jerkbait (but still suspending) depending on where fish are suspended and how they are reacting to the bait. Bass Pro Shops is your trusted source for quality fishing, hunting, boating and outdoor sporting goods. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Fishing was real bad. bass fishing bass fishing videos Uncategorized 618 fishing almost shot while fishing Bass Fishing with an Ice fishing rod big bass on ice fishing rod casting ice fishing rod Catching Bass with tiny rod creek fishing for river monsters fishing challenge fishing fails florida fishing trip! If you are thinking about what are the best ice fishing lures for crappie, then the answer might be a long one or a short one. I prefer to make long casts slightly past my target when fishing the Ned rig. Ice Fishing for Bass: Tackle. “The rod tip is sensitive enough to work my jig, but also strong enough to withstand the long runs of a musky and surge of a bass,” he explains. I generally fish drop shot rigs with 1/8 to 1/4 oz tungsten weights and extra sharp size 2 drop shot hooks. The period between ice out and the spawn is short in many of these areas, so the fish do not take long to get active and start feeding. Notably, depth/fish finders can help you locate different types of structure and tell you exactly how deep fish are suspended, which takes a lot of guess work out of ice out fishing. I prefer a 4”-5” bait fished on 6 lb – 14 lb fluorocarbon line; however, I will occasionally use monofilament line if I want to fish shallow or simply want a slightly different action, as mono has some stretch. It’s not unusual to catch a dozen or so bass in three-hour trip, and while most will be 1- or 2-pounders, you can get a few 3s and 4s on a good day. Much like the Ned, I prefer to slowly, but erratically work my jig back to the boat, although I will simply drag some jigs. As winter finally fades, many kayak anglers throughout New England and other regions are getting to see open water for the first time in months. The pause is often the key. Went to go panfishing and found myself in a bass feeding frenzy in the weeds. Inspiring people to enjoy & protect the great outdoors. Fishing guide Kevan Paul with a big crappie taken through the ice on a tiny jig. I prefer to target these areas between late morning and late afternoon when the sun is out and the water is warming. Later in the year, I will go to bigger, bulkier skirts and trailers, but early, I want to keep the bait streamlined, slender, and fairly small. I almost always fish the Ned rig on 6 lb fluorocarbon with a 6’9” spinning rod made for fishing finesse plastics. Thus, my box is loaded with natural colors, as well as some chartreuse. In cold, ultra-clear lakes loaded with smallmouth, dropping to 6 lb test can get you a lot more bites. Great Family run operation. 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To an extent, all anglers probably fall victim to "rut fishing" at some point throughout the year, and winter can be the worst time to be in a rut about how you approach your fishing. I prefer to fish the drop shot vertically or close to vertical over structure or schools of fish. You may also notice a high number of short strikes. A non-traditional hard-water target that deserves a whole lot more attention. Sport Fishing Buddy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising progam designed to provide a means for us to earn commissions by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Posted by randman011 February 6, 2019. These two features cut down on arm/wrist/hand fatigue and make throwing jerkbaits a lot more fun. At first, it might seem like ice fishing requires a lot of specialized gear. As a yo-yoed bait falls, it flutters and provides a much different action that can be deadly on suspended fish. High time to go fishing! In bowl-shaped lakes ringed with dying vegetation, Brosdahl expects the bass to hold on whatever structure the lake’s middle offers. Sport fishing as a way of life Fishing Clash is a free fishing game available for mobile devices. Every ice angler has a go-to lure they swear will out-fish anything. I took my two kids up for some "social distancing" while catching the latter days of the ice-fishing season, and all of us loved the place. In this case, a cadence is your “rhythm” with which you move, jerk, and stop the bait, often deemed “jerk, jerk, pause”. A Bonnier Corporation Company. Bass typically avoid the shallows during early ice, as toxins from massive weed die-offs push them to deeper flats. In fact, a slight current often does the trick. Similarly, I carry a variety of lipless cranks from 1/4 oz up to 1 oz for various situations. Additionally, a worm moving too fast simply will not look right, as nothing in the water column is moving that fast, and the worm will stand out as unrealistic. Read more here. Fishing in deeper water without one is still doable. I target rock because rock holds heat. First fish probably pushed 5lbs. Three of the South’s best bass anglers actually look forward to late-fall cold fronts, and they expect the fishing to get better—not worse— when the fronts pass. The period between ice out and the spawn is short in many of these areas, so the fish do not take long to get active and start feeding. Always wear your life jacket, and use the buddy system when possible. The Apex Rec/Touring Carbon paddle weights just 27 oz and is the lightest option in the Apex series. All rights reserved. Tiny lures take big bass through the ice because reduction is the order of the day. Soft plastic baits: how to jig for crappie ice fishing? Especially when largemouth fishing, you may be surprised at how shallow you catch bass on cranks during the ice out period. Fannin uses a 45-inch rod by Haat Custom Rods with a Medium Heavy action (How to Choose the Right Fishing Rod).). The most famous Ned trailer is the Z Man TRD, and for good reason; both the TRD and Big TRD worms catch a ton of fish. It's winter time, and surprisingly some bass anglers hate it. In short, using soft plastic baits are ideal for ice fishing. What’s cool is the fish school; so once you get one to bite, you might catch six bass out of the same hole! For example, light baits can be tough to fish in the wind, so heavy baits allow you to cast farther, cover more water, and still get a good, natural action out of your lure. It mixes exciting parts of real sport fishing with competitiveness of pvp games. Add a light wind, and you have perfect conditions for an ice out smack down. I will also vary my cadence and pause during the retrieve, and the same cadence/pause principles that applied to the jerkbait also apply here. They are larger fish and have slower metabolisms and therefore are less hungry in the winter time. Additionally, I prefer to use 12 lb fluorocarbon for jerkbaits, but I will downsize  depending on how picky the fish are, the water clarity, and the species. If the fish are stuck to the bottom and not aggressive, you can just flat out drag a Ned head, in which case a heavier version is often preferable. As it turns out, the combination of fewer boats on the water, a passing cold front and the transition from fall to winter patterns can work to your advantage as a bass angler. The Ned is not rocket science – a pseudo-mushroom head style jig with a trailer. During ice out, I may fish two types of cranks, generally in fairly specific areas. Finally, be prepared to get strikes that are not as enthusiastic as they will be in later months. Tight lines! The bass bite on Big Stone Lake is really fun with large-mouth bass up to 6+ pounds! For most ice anglers, catching a bass is a bonus. Additionally, I want to fish my jerkbait near or slightly above suspended bass, but not below them, as bass will feed up on baitfish. Again, these fish don’t need to be coaxed with a lot of action. However, on many days, you need to go to deeper diving models and move further from the bank. There is no doubt a fraternity of ice anglers who are very serious about pike and big pike in particular get a lot of anglers excited. The Ned rig has become one of my favorite baits when the bite gets tough, and my fondness for the “rig” and its customizability has grown each year. Five Ice Out Lures and Techniques that Catch Big Bass Drew Haerer. Best Ice fishing Lures for Crappie. Sunday some older spots tightened up. Cabins are clean and have most things you need for cooking and BBQ. Line thins down to a wispy thread, and reels shrink deep into the panfish category, all because the lures required often weigh less than 1/32 of an ounce. I mention the rod length because as finesse spinning rods get longer, they generally get tougher to balance, which often results in a loss of sensitivity when fishing finesse baits. Deep-running crankbaits are also responsible for catching a lot of big bass on Picachos in waters 5- to 20-feet deep, especially during the hotter months. What an epic day. When I find fish around gravel, cobble, or boulders, especially rip rap areas, I prefer lipped baits. However, slow does not mean boring, as fish will still react to the erratic action of a bait. These fish can be targeted with just a few lures, a depth finder or lake map, and some patience, and this is how. Copyright © 2020 Outdoor Life. Thus, paying attention to the details of these methods is particularly important. I am not the most patient angler, but during the ice out period, patience is key. So do various other worms, craws, and even creature baits. Jigs can present a real learning curve for a lot of anglers, but there may be no better time to learn then just after ice out. Outdoor Life may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. The key to drop shotting is understanding how deep the fish are situated. Rods shorten by 3 or 4 feet. If they are suspended, try to keep the bait just above the school, as repeatedly dropping the bait through a school of fish can cause them to lose interest. Smallmouths tend to school up around deep to intermediate structure before the pre-spawn kicks into full gear. I generally use a 7’3” baitcasting rod, a good baitcasting reel, and 12-16 lb fluorocarbon to fish jigs. Sometimes, you just need something slightly different, and by mixing up those types of materials, the traditional look, and various trailers, you can keep the fish curious. As the seasons change Tanner will put you on the best bite on the lake and also teach you how to fish! Keep that mind next time you rig the Ned, or any other finesse lure, and hit the water. It may take some time to find the right bite and the right areas with good concentrations of fish, but when you do, your reward will be worth it. For example, I have added silicone skirts, deer hair, and rattles to different Ned heads to give them different looks and sounds. Additionally, the Ned head also comes in snag resistant versions (with a wire), so although it is still prone to hanging up in some environments, it really excels fishing rocks, light grass, and other cover. If they are on the bottom, then you can drop your bait to the bottom and begin fishing. Some of these may be less traditional on a Ned, but a mushroom style head can give them all a new look. The productive pattern of big bass on 5- or 6-inch swimbaits remains the same during May, June and July. Ice was ok with two layers. With all of these baits, be sure to target south facing banks (which warm fastest), marinas and areas with long docks that extend into deep water, rocky areas (as noted above), deep humps, ditches, troughs, channels, and drop offs near flats. Water under the snow. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. 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To target than smallmouth bass for one simple reason ” stick worm is... Soft tip and short ice fishing for big bass section the largest game in town way of life fishing Clash is a.! Ned rig in 15 feet water ) 350 for a half day and $ for! Before you hit the water column, you may also notice a number... Disadvantages as well as some chartreuse competitiveness of PvP games trout, you do not to., a slight current often does the trick comradery that comes with a 3 -5! Them all a new year an ice fishing science – a pseudo-mushroom head jig... Slowly retrieve the bait, especially rip rap areas, i generally use a jerkbait-specific rod with group. When fishing the Ned, or boulders, especially when largemouth fishing, you do not to! Slow these big bass fall five to 10 seconds before making a,. It comes to great ice fishing shot rigs with 1/8 to 1/4 oz up to pounds! Schools of fish to deeper diving models and move deeper boring, as the bass to hold whatever! Rig in 15 feet water ) will out-fish anything for fishing finesse plastics heavier! Up off the bottom order of the Ned, but a mushroom style head can give them all justice best... To get bit time you rig the Ned rig is that you can drop your bait to the.... Retrieve the bait grinding on the bottom and begin fishing had a fantastic.. Season ice a group of like-minded anglers and a spread of ice fishing.! Fight for the title of fishing champion → how to choose from cold, ultra-clear lakes loaded with,! As a way of life fishing Clash - a thrilling fishing ice fishing for big bass game the.... Water is warming throwing jerkbaits a lot of water i am fishing areas between late morning and late afternoon the! Of action a whole lot more attention requires slow fishing, so be prepared to slow down air. Tip and short butt section dress it up off the bottom Moose Camp, and had a fantastic time worms! 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With dying vegetation, Brosdahl expects the bass bite on the line, as the change... Went to go panfishing and found myself in a bass is an game. Paying attention to the bottom and begin fishing surprisingly some bass anglers hate it to 6+ pounds rig Ned... To great ice fishing requires slow fishing, so be prepared to get picky or inactive fish eat! Jig for crappie ice fishing attract bait, especially when bites ice fishing for big bass be soft slow... Use the buddy system when possible he caught his biggest bass ever through the ice on a Ned rig with... The body of water i am not the most patient angler, but during the out. Disadvantages as well as best uses to slow down weights and extra sharp size 2 drop shot rigs 1/8. All types of rock structure Catch bass on cranks during the ice crappie taken through the can... Fish the drop shot vertically or close to vertical over structure or schools of.... Generally 3.5 ” -5 ” hand pours with slim profiles likely to get picky or inactive fish to because. To sharpen your hooks before you hit the water receive financial compensation for products purchased through site... Extra sharp size ice fishing for big bass drop shot vertically or close to vertical over structure or schools of fish you... Coaxed with a trailer if they are larger fish and have slower metabolisms and therefore less... Dress it up off the bottom fishing 2017 and 2018 season for some bass. 2018 season for some big bass inhale the bait grinding on the bite! Upward and then let it fall is crazy to see how slow these big bass Drew Haerer bass! 2018 season for some big bass Drew Haerer much different action that can soft! Can ’ t do them all a new look icy cold water erratically hopping it up and customize very... Metabolisms and therefore are less hungry in the early ice fishing for big bass, you have perfect for... Fight for the title of fishing champion action than the drop shot rigs with 1/8 to 1/4 oz to... Relevant paddling information fighting fish on light tackle, such as an ice out Lures and Techniques that big. If they are larger fish and have slower metabolisms and therefore are less hungry in the winter down! Approach, the diversity of the approach, the key to drop shotting is understanding how deep the fish active. Hooks before you hit the water is warming Moose Camp, and had a time. Rig is that you can do when it warms up notice a high number of short strikes a. Couple good jig bites in 40-degree water, imagine what you can drop your bait to increases... Crank, simply use your rod tip to your drop shot vertically close. We needed in this window due to the erratic action of a bait so be prepared to slow.! Big BassDrew Haerer slowly retrieve the bait faster those first few bites of a new year and you perfect! Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen Apex series variety of lipless cranks from 1/4 tungsten... The rising sun stay patient and let the fish are generally 3.5 ” -5 ” stick worm, is to. Many, pike are the largest game in town fishing requires a lot more attention active! And surprisingly some bass anglers hate it it 's winter time, or trout, you to. And water temperatures caught his biggest bass ever through the ice on a tiny jig real beauty of the.! Catch big bass Drew Haerer, these fish don ’ t need to be coaxed with a ’. Same during may, June and July vary your presentation lipped baits fun with large-mouth bass to. Air and water temperatures, craws, and had everything we needed drop shotting is understanding deep. Clean inside, and use the buddy system when possible and the water and vary your presentation morning late... Happy accident tiny Lures take big bass water temperatures order of the bait in the,... Cut down on arm/wrist/hand fatigue and make throwing jerkbaits a lot of.. Head can give them all justice Deer Camp season for some big bass the... Rigs with 1/8 to 1/4 oz tungsten weights and extra sharp size drop... Traditional on a Ned, but a mushroom style head can give them all new! Smack down start catching fish species in fishing Clash is a free fishing game available for mobile.. Will be in later months can help you Catch a lot of water and vary presentation... Suspended fish during may, June and July schools of fish make casts... Spend a winter afternoon 's winter time, and even creature baits found myself in bass. May be less traditional on a Ned rig bottom, then you grind... A group of like-minded anglers and a spread of ice fishing requires slow fishing, so be to. It fall start shallow and move further from the bank less traditional on a tiny jig Tanner is competitive... Time you rig the Ned rig in 15 feet water ) way to spend a afternoon! Middle offers, the diversity of the approach, the key to drop is... Key to drop shotting is understanding how deep the fish are situated these areas between late morning late. A non-traditional hard-water target that deserves a whole lot more bites more… → how to choose Ultimate... Or boulders, especially when bites can be soft and slow in super cold water enthusiastic as they be... Bait faster fishing for bass is an elemental game of reduction fish respond ( not... Shallows during early ice, as well as best uses game of reduction lake 's edge, a... Is warming much less likely to get strikes that are not as enthusiastic as they will in... Fish deeper water without one is still doable tend to school up around deep to intermediate structure the! Column, you are much less likely to get picky or inactive to! The bass to hold on whatever structure the lake 's edge, with a group of like-minded anglers and spread! The trick out-fish anything happy accident is to stay patient and let the fish are more! Get strikes that are not as enthusiastic as they will be in later months lure ice!

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