Panfish have exactly what it takes to help ice anglers get through what would otherwise be an extremely slow time of the year. What it takes is some co-operation and crappies and sunnies are usually more than willing to do their share, we just have to do ours.
Our share includes getting back on the ice and spending some time investigating, and not getting stuck in a “set up and stay put” routine. Setting up and waiting it out can be a “do or die” proposition, and will severely limit your chances for success. Instead you’d probably be better off taking it directly to them and staying on the move until you find some of the willing.
Location can vary from year to year but a good place to start includes deeper flats or main basin areas in close proximity to shallower weed beds. “Deeper” is a relative term but typically means depths in the fifteen to thirty foot range. Finding potential fish holding hot spots is a lot easier to do on smaller bodies of water as there are only so many places to look at. Larger lakes can take a little more thought and a lot more effort but the pattern is pretty much the same; look for deeper flats off of the largest weed beds you can find. Smaller bays can be looked at like a smaller lake, and can help shorten up the amount of time you have to spend on the move. A small deep pocket in the middle of what’s normally a weed chocked bay can really narrow things down, and something you’ll definitely want to check out if in fact it does exist.
With a power auger like Eskimo’s Z71 and a portable shelter you can drill and fish, drill and fish, and drill and fish some more covering ground and eliminating water. Tough fishing or lack of success isn’t a bad thing (at least not always), and is a technique you can use to your advantage. If you’ve been trying deeper water and keep coming up empty; move shallower and shallower until you start to at least see some fish. If you find active fish at a particular depth you can look for more of the same, and you could also expect to find the scenario to occur in another area of the lake, as long as like conditions exist.
Mid to late winter panfish presentations include plenty of teeny tiny jigs tipped with maggots or minnows. Minnows if you’re targeting crappies and maggots if you’re looking for bluegills. Smaller jigs like Northland Tackle’s new #10 or #12 Mud Bug tipped with a crappie minnow is about all you’ll probably need to catch the paper mouths but you’re not likely to connect with many gills. They’re primarily bug eaters and the Mud Bug tipped with a maggie or two is more apt to be what they’re really looking for. Crappies on the other hand will take either a minnow or a bug, which makes the jig and maggot combo a better search lure. With a depth finder and jig and maggot combination you can drill some holes, spend five or ten minutes fishing each, and then move on if nothing shows up. If you’re not seeing fish you’re probably not on them, and if you’re not on them I don’t care who you are; you’re not going to catch them.
Light line in the two pound test and lighter range can mean more fish caught at the end of the day and will shorten up the time it takes to get a super light jig to a productive depth. Spring bobbers or bite indicators like Northlands 24″ Ultra Light Trick Stick can be a better option than a bobber or float and can help you detect the lightest of bites, and the bite can be unbelievably subtle. In fact all you might see is your strike indicator lift up ever so slightly, so pay attention and set the hook when it happens.
When you do decide to hit the ice try and keep a positive attitude. Realize that the longer you go without fish the closer you are to finding them. When you do figure it out and things start going your way you better keep it to yourself, as good news travels much too fast. See you on the ice.
Ron AnlaufBy: Ron Anlauf
