Ice Fishing For Bass

[dansfishntales]

Guys here is a subject for all of you to kick around. As many of you know I am on some ice fishing pro staff (Frabill, Jiffy and Vexilar), so I try to get out on the ice as much as possible. Most of my fishing is for bluegill and crappie, but bass pop in as well. In fact, I held the all-tackle ice fishing World Record for a short time for largemouth bass.

I've found that most of my bass action comes early and late in the season. Also, if you find bass most of the other fish are not hitting. Panfish will be hitting well, but once the bass start that is it for the smaller fish.

The best bass baits I've used are small tube jigs with Kodiak Paste injected in it, and a number 10 or 8 Ratso. I've now started using the new Gulp Alive spray on the Ratso.

Small spoons are another lure that many use, but so far I haven't had as good of luck as I should. When I say small spoons, I mean very small - not the normal vertical jigging type in the 1/2 ounce size. These are much smaller, with the Striper Special, Flutter Spoon and Demon being the best.

Here is where all of you can start on this subject - what lure and technique do you use for bass through the ice?

Johnnie, don't say cutting a slot in the ice, and running a crankbait through it.

Best of fishing,
Dan

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Dan you know I hate ice fishing-it breaks the lips off my cranks and if I need ice I'll get some from the fridge. Happy belated holidays to all. Johnnie

[TableRockGuide]

Hey, guys what is ICE? Never see it down here, just like Johnnie I have to go to the Fridge to find it. <:>< Way too cold for me!

Good Fishing Everyone, see you at the sport shows.

Capt. Don

[brendanc]

Hi Dan,

I'm from southern NY and most of our lakes still have not frozen yet. I have ice fished in the past... have you ever used a Swedish Pimple jigging spoon?



They come in sizes as small as 1-1/2". They work great for bass through the ice.

The other bait that has been hot is Rapala's Jigging Shad Rap:



If I am targeting perch, crappie and pan fish, I will go with the standard micro-jigs tipped with a wax worm:

[johnnie crain outdoors]

That's kool nunz-funny. I figure we have only 125 days till open water around here.!!