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ICING EYES by
Daniel Kiazyk
We have all read the articles on when, where, and how to ice a favorite quarry,
‘ol marble eyes. Information as a whole has
been desseminated as never before with regards to ice fishing walleyes. In
effect, anglers are more effective than ever on the
ice. There is even a new “humility”, present when major publications are
saying that at certain times of the year and in certain types of lakes, walleyes
are going to be hard to catch no matter how good an anger you might be. It is in
light of this huge “opus” that I would like to make a few suggestions that
might enhance your attack on any given lake.
Location
Having a knack for ice fishing does come all at once. Being able to do it well
comes as a result of years of being chilled, frostbit, frozen, blown around etc.
But herein resides a good point... there’s always something to learn. I like
to look at ice fishing in a four-fold manner. Each of the first three
components; location, presentation and bait will be conditioned by the
“time” of the ice season. This approach to frozen water is somewhat less
than revolutionary. With regards to the first factor “location” I really
feel that movement is a good thing and if you don’t have a snowmobile, which
enhances your mobility enormously, you can at least drill 20 holes and run a
“trap-line” while angling. Another component that I’ll include as a part
of this component will be a tip up, set at the hole furthest from where I’ll
do the majority of my angling. Having a different presentation is a key on most
days; some days the fish show a real preference for one presentation as opposed
to another.
Undoubtedly modern electronics and knowledge of the species has made the
location part of the game a bit more predictable. But let’s say you don’t
have a $400.00-$500.00 dollar ice unit, moreover you don’t ice fish that often
– which suggests a subtle critique counter the proponents of the capital
intensive fishing approach. Where do you go? Firstly, look for other shacks….
Fisherman are there for a reason. Moreover, with reference to other anglers and
their locations; sometimes I’ve done well locating away from them but still in
proximity to the “pack” – try be a red herring once in a while...it might
work for you. Secondly, look for other distinguishable elements on shore that
might suggest appropriate structure elements: points, neck downs, outlets,
inlets, and islands. Any or all of these will give you a decent point of
departure. Points have a tendency to offer structure favorable to walleye.
Islands offer structure where little or none exists
Tackle
Presentation, the second component will be a significant consideration, if you
are to have a successful day on the ice. Some very well known authors have
suggested that there are three groups of tackle, which if used in different
situations will certainly increase your odds at icing walleyes. Flash lures,
jigging lures and jigs are the three types of lure possible in any given time of
the ice season . One suggestion with regards to these groups is that they may be
understood as being far more fluid than just the three categories mentioned
above (variations and hybrids exist --- and the action imparted to a lure will
also change its effectiveness in any given season). At the beginning of the
season, more active lures will shine while in the middle of the season the
slowest will be best. The Rapala style of jigging lure can bridge the gap
between the two. Of course any of these can be used to produce an effect that
the other is capable of producing. The difference however is that each has a
strength that needs to be capitalized upon. The time of day can also require the
use of a particular piece of the tackle. Early in the morning and late in the
evening will be when walleyes are most active. Almost any lure applies. Tipping
with a minnow head or adding a live chub will also enhance bites. During the day
a two-fold approach will most often be the most productive - a jigged line and a
still line. Having both will give a reading on the fish’s mood and what they
want. That perhaps is central to a successful approach: the fish will tell you
what they want... adjust or go home!
Bait
Bait, finally, will make a difference in some instances and in others it will be
of no import. The trick is to hook up bait in ways that triggers fish to bite.
Try tail hooking or a hook through the back just behind the dorsal fin and in
some instances lip hooking works just fine. If your bait is large enough,
trimming will change the motion of your bait, perhaps making it act like a
wounded fish, fish they often prey upon. In those places where a stinger hook is
not illegal, two tail hooked minnows, one from a jig and the other from the
stinger hook seems on occasion to elicit aggressive strikes from fish. On other
occasions, the difference might be a salted minnow – the salt being the
different factor appealing to another sense. Maribou and plastic are the last
two materials that remain possibilities for enticing fish to bite. They are not
commonly referred to in ice fishing circles but they do have qualities that
anglers have known for years as being attractive to fish... Why not give them a
try? Bait during the ice season is definitely an important component in the
success of an outing.
Icing 'eyes remains a task at once simple, but complex, fraught with challenge
or unusually easy. Your challenge, however,
rests within the angler and what level of investment you are willing to put in
at any given time. Most important is giving the fish what they want and avoiding
giving them what you want. Finally if you do happen upon a hot bite, it is
important to be selective with your catch - let some go… remember those
walleye have survived an incredibly hostile environment and those are genes that
are worth keeping in that lake’s gene pool! We all want to go back next year
and catch some more!
Contents copyright ©
1999-2001 Dan Kiazyk/Cat Eye Outfitter. All rights reserved.
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