I left the computer early last night and did not keep up with the responses. I will address the first four on this one post. I’m already a Sturgeon and don’t need to run up my post count.
KJFN: Good question on the action. A lot of ice anglers don’t give that enough consideration. The answer on the jigging spoons is simple, but not. Use whatever works best on any given day. That means you have to experiment. Sometimes they want more action. Other times I have only been able to get hits while the lure and bait were resting absolutely still. The one general statement I will make is that usually less is more. I drop the baited spoon to the bottom, bring it up a few inches, and then just “shivver” it…letting it rest between wiggles. The slightest movement makes the baited hook wiggle around a lot, on the split ring connection. It is an “articulated” lure. A variation is to give it a “shivver lift”. This is slowly raising the rod tip, while shivvering the jig. Sometimes a good way to trigger a reaction bite from a neutral but curious fish that has been just eyeballing your stuff. In late season, when the oxygen levels are lower and the fish are slower, I have taken lots of big perch and even walleye while soaking a heavy jig straight down, with the rod setting on a bucket. The weight allows you to detect even the slightest nibble, and that is sometimes how they take it when they are sluggish. Hope that helps.
fairwayphilly: Keep up the research. It’s a good way to spend the rest of your life. You have made some of the same observations I have. Basically, bluegill and other “sunfish” respond better to smaller offerings, and predators appreciate a full plate. I have had lots of trips where these theories have been reinforced.
doggonefishin: I introduced my new line of Perch Urchins to Deer Creek the first year we were able to get the DWR to open it to ice fishing. Slayed the perch and caught plenty of big rainbows and browns. The trout had to be released for the first few years of ice fishing on Deer Creek. There were not many walleye in DC in those days, but I did catch 3 through the ice on urchins before I headed south. I also caught bunches of them out of Yuba on urchins. I have determined that they are not a magic bullet, but if you present them in the right place, at the right time, the right way, you have a good shot at having walleye on the table. Sonar? I didn’t use sonar then either, but I suspect that it would not have made much difference on the walleyes. They kinda cruise in and out, and will whack a jig on the way by if you are good…and lucky. Best bet is to position yourself in a good spot and just keep working it. Oh yeah, the one thing I think I have learned about getting 'eyes through the ice is to keep quiet. Almost every walleye I have taken below the ice has been while fishing alone, or with one or two quiet folks, sitting on seats and not moving around. And, everytime I have been taking them with regularity, the action shut down as soon as somebody else decided to join me and began drilling holes and tromping around. Technique? Fish aggressively and effectively for perch, or other species, and you will pick up a walleye or two, if they are in the area. I have never been successful at targeting walleyes specifically. Better to keep busy while you are waiting for them to bless you.
fishmagnet: Nice perch pic. Doesn’t look like that fish missed many meals. Judging from the grin on your son’s face, it looks like he is hooked on ice fishing too. Fishing a tandem rig, with a spoon and a smaller jig, is a popular setup. Sometimes they hit one. Other times the other. Give 'em a choice. But, I seldom add a smaller offering while fishing a baited up spoon, unless I am not getting any action at all. As you point out, even the small fish will smack the larger lure, but you tend to get more attention from bigger fish than with small stuff.
) and some splake with the same set up and perch/sucker meat. For some reason the big 'uns just keep away from me. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG???
