Life Season Ice: Make Adjustments to Catch Your Share

Life Season Ice: Make Adjustments to Catch Your Share

By Todd Reed

The ice is thick, and there is still a chill in the air, however the fish don’t seem to be biting like they have the past few weeks. Why is this? The early and mid-season ice fishing can be predictable and we fall into our favorite spots and our favorite lakes as the weeks go by. However, too many anglers hang up their augers too soon because things get a little tougher. There is no doubt that ice fishing in February and into March can be a challenge. A few changes in our habits must occur in order to put a few fish in the bucket for dinner.

Be Remote
One major adjustment to our ice fishing plan is to get away from the crowds. At no other time during the ice season do more fish come up and look at your jig, and then swim away then right now. Fish get conditioned after a couple of months of anglers putting the same jigs/spoons down the hole and jigging for a fish. If we can relocate away from the crowds, or “local areas” you may see the fish come up on your Vexilar and then feel that thump! Finding new fish and new territories is key to keeping your fish-catching going this winter.

Offer A Variety
Another key element to catching late season fish through the ice is to change the baits you are using. I have a hard time with this each winter as I have my favorite jigs for certain lakes. It normally takes a friend catching a few before I even get a bite, to finally give in and change presentations. A lot of factors may play in on the different jig hypothesis, for instance; water color, change in prey, light penetration from snow, and of course fishing pressure. It may be one of these factors or a few of them that should tell us to change up color and jig style during late ice opportunities. One quick and easy thing to do to trick these wary fish is to downsize your offerings. Many times it is more about size than it is about color. Going to a smaller profile bait and a small amount of live bait or small piece of plastic might just do the trick to save the day. Giving the fish something smaller will give you the upper hand during this late ice time.

Earlier I referred to the fish coming up to your bait and then leaving during this late ice fishing period. This happens throughout the year, however more than ever at this time. I firmly believe and have seen it first hand that a light wire spring bobber will catch you some of those “lookers”. There are many great ice fishing rods on the market today, however some of them do not have the capability of feeling/seeing those light biters. Many of those lookers this time of year are actually tasting your jig/bait and you just cannot detect them. Thus, they leave and are off the Vexilar leaving you shaking your head. Using a light wire spring bobber you will be able to detect the smallest of bites and reel in some of those fish you thought never even had the hook in their mouth. I prefer the St. Croix spring bobbers, they are very durable and can be adjusted with different sizes of jigs that you tie on. These will no doubt help you catch more fish when the fish become leery of your presence.

Get Lively
Next, I have to mention the live bait trigger. Late in the ice fishing year, for all those reasons given earlier, live bait can help you get more bites. I like plastics and their many benefits, however as the season rolls around to February fish have seen it all. The natural juices of waxworms or spikes cannot be imitated using plastics. Many plastics have their own scent, but some days the natural juices that protrude from the worms can out fish plastics drastically. This is the time of year to stock up on bait too. Keep it fresh, and keep changing it on your hook. Fresh bait will keep that scent in the water, and keep those tricky fish biting as the season comes to an end.

The Knockout Punch
If all else fails, and the fish below you still will not bite, or you simply can’t find many fish, it is time for the one-two punch. This technique works great if you are searching for roaming fish over flats such as crappies, bluegills, perch or yellow bass. The first part of this is a spoon presentation. Fish the spoon very aggressively to “call” the fish to your area. Many times they will not bite the bait but you will see the green and yellow marks on the Vexilar telling you that fish are moving closer to check things out. Then either a partner or yourself drop down a finesse jigging presentation. Many times the spoon will get the fish in your area, get them interested and then the smaller jig will get them to bite. This works very well for bluegills while stirring up the bottom content of the lake. Fish are curious, and this technique will drive them crazy, and hopefully drive them right to your fish dinner!

Fishing can be difficult this time of year, the fish’s prey is changing, light conditions from snow pack is often at its lowest, fishing pressure is at the maximum, and possible water clarity from snow melt can all play into a tough bite on the lake. Making these adjustments on the ice will help you catch your share, if not more during this time of year.