natethebowhunter Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 i have been out ice fishing four times this year and i am yet to catch a fish. i am basically going for pike on tipups but i must be doing something wrong. is there a certain bait i should be using? i have been using medium shiners. also, i have tried to go deep and shallow with no luck at either. i have tried to jig for panfish but i cant even get that to work. any suggestions please?????????????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 I'd suggest using bigger shiners and make sure you keep them alive. I wouldn't waste your time fishing deep water for them, just find a weedline in the shallows (inside a bay or especially off a point or something) and set your tip ups along the contour of the edge of the weeds. The pike will move in and out, and along that edge there and you'll get hits. Not sure if you're using one, but use "quick strike" rigs to get more hook ups. Don't use a huge split shot either, that tires the shiner out and kills it quicker. Just use enough weight to keep it down in the general area. You can fish this area for panfish too. Just tip a small jig with a waxworm or maggot. If you find the weeds, you'll find the panfish, and since the pike will be feeding on those panfish, they should be there too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelund79 Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Shoot me a pm with the lakes you are fishing and maybe I can help you out, however Muggs gave up some great starter info. Keep your shiners lively, meaning change them every hour if you have to. Find the breaks/weedlines, travel routes of fish from shallow to deep water, etc. Drill alot of holes and keep moving.... As for pannies, what are you using for lures/bait, etc. Try ratfinkees, tear drops, in different colors and if bait isn't working, switch to plastics for better action...Good luck, Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camoman1 Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 These guys pretty much said it all.... only thing i can add is with pike, their eyes are on top of their heads and have no problems coming up to steal a minnow, better to have ur minnow set too shallow then too deep. ( above the weeds rather than in them). And ive always had good luck with panfish with small jigs (Marmooskas i think??) that hang horizontal instead of vertical in the water tipped with a wax worm. One other thing i do to keep the minnow down is bite (yum) the bottom half of the tail off, that way u dont need as big of a sinker. Keeps them big shiners from settin off ur flag too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldawg Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 Make sure that you are hooking your minnow just behind the dorsal fin, and not too deep, or it will stun, or kill the minnow. I like to keep them anywhere's near a foot or two from bottom. Or, just above the weeds in certain circumstances. On cold, windy days, it sometimes pays to use a medium shiner, instead of a large, as the fish become a little finnicky. I like moonglow jigs, and rockers for panfish. Just a personal preference on my part. I use a super ultralight rod, and a spring bobber. I use 2 pound crystal fireline as of this year, and I love it. I normally catch alot, but this stuff is great. Just make sure to tie it on as the diagram shows, or you will have poor knot strength. On clear days, with clear water, I start with a duller color, or you may spook fish. Cloudy, start with flashy colors. Tip it with a wax worm or two, and jig it about 10" off bottom to start. If you don't catch any, try different depths , color, or more or less action. I sometimes constantly move from hole to hole. If you aren't catching any...move. Good luck. Dawg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig mack Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 I think these guys said it all. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 Yep! Mugg is right on! Post some pics then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted February 16, 2008 Report Share Posted February 16, 2008 ...Bring a girl with you. They have a knack for attracting fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natethebowhunter Posted February 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2008 ...Bring a girl with you. They have a knack for attracting fish. i bet thats the trick......lol....thx guys ill keep you posted with my "success". im going out tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natethebowhunter Posted February 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2008 i bet thats the trick......lol....thx guys ill keep you posted with my "success". im going out tomorrow Well, ur tips worked. i went out with a buddy and together we caught three fish. we also had a good hook up but he got away before we got him through the hole.. The first pic is a 24 inch northern and the second one is a 26 inch one. my first ice fish ever:D:D:D:D:D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camoman1 Posted February 17, 2008 Report Share Posted February 17, 2008 Congrats!! nice fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted February 17, 2008 Report Share Posted February 17, 2008 Fantastic!!!...Congradulations-beautiful fish !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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