Magnum Mania
The saying “big baits catch big fish” holds a lot of truth, especially for ice anglers targeting lake trout, pike and walleye. Mid-size lures that “fish big” are also relevant, as they produce significant attention-grabbing actions and sounds.
Let’s delve deeper into these concepts and explore how to apply a magnum-inspired approach on the ice this winter to catch more and bigger fish.
MAGNUM STRATEGY #1: POTENT PLASTICS
The Gear
Rapala CrushCity 4-inch Heavy Hitter, 1/2- to 1-ounce VMC Swimbait Jig or Boxer Jig, 13 Fishing Wicked Pro XL 38” Medium, 20- or 30-pound Sufix 832 Ice Braid and Advanced Fluorocarbon Leader.
The Tactic
The Heavy Hitter’s large profile and aggressive tail action makes it highly effective at attracting fish from far distances during its initial descent as well as during a lift-drop vertical jigging retrieve.
As an interested fish approaches, the Heavy Hitter’s captivating baitfish profile, belly roll and kicking tail work in the angler’s favour, provided the ruse of prey fleeing the predator is maintained. Do this by steadily jigging and swimming the Heavy Hitter, keeping it just out of reach of the predator until the fish hits its breaking point and attacks.
Another advantage of the Heavy Hitter is the fact that it’s made of Rapala’s ultra-durable, ultra-soft, scented Super TPE. This material makes it resistant to short-striking predators, preventing them from easily tearing off the tail or causing other damage as they would with a traditional soft-plastic. Consequently, the Heavy Hitter spends more time in the strike zone, which helps anglers catch more fish.
MAGNUM STRATEGY #2: BIG SPEED
The Gear
Jigging Rap Magnum, 13 Fishing Wicked Pro XL 38” Medium and Medium-Light, 20- or 30-pound Sufix 832 Ice Braid and Advanced Fluorocarbon Leader.
The Tactic
The Jigging Rap Magnum delivers legendary Jigging Rap fish-catching action, but is specifically designed for deep-water vertical jigging and is a must-have for those using live sonar. Its sleek, heavy-weighted body (1-1/8 oz.) falls fast and true, allowing it to easily reach depths down to 100 feet in a matter of seconds.
Anglers who showcase the Jigging Rap Magnum’s rapid fall rate will be rewarded with big bites. When actively jigging, aggressive snaps combined with slack line drops produce an erratic action that triggers strikes.
MAGNUM STRATEGY #3: LEVERAGE LIGHT AND SOUND
The Gear
Clam Pro Tackle Super Leech Lake Flutter Spoon, Leech Lake Flutter Spoon, Rippin’ Blade, Rippin’ Rap, 13 Fishing Wicked Pro XL 38” Medium-Light, 20- or 30-pound Sufix 832 Ice Braid and Advanced Fluorocarbon Leader.
The Tactic
Highly reflective lures like the Leech Lake Flutter Spoon and Peg Spoon mimic an injured baitfish’s erratic movements and the way light reflects off its scales. This visual display strikes a chord with lake trout, pike and walleye, given they’re hardwired to detect any weakness within a school of baitfish.
Another way to attract predator fish is appealing to their acoustic senses with a loud lure. Turning up the volume is easily done jigging either the Rippin’ Blade or Rippin’ Rap. The former puts out instant vibrations on the upstroke, even at slow speeds, while the latter creates a clamour via its distinctive BB rattle system.
Anglers should rotate between flutter spoons, bladebaits, and lipless crankbaits to see what predators prefer. A flashy spoon may be best in clear water on a bright sunny day, while vibration-heavy lures can be better when dusk compromises the visibility of lake trout and pike.
MAGNUM STRATEGY #4 : SOAKING BIG DEAD-BAITS
The Gear
VMC Bladed Predator Rig Wire Y Harness, 8- to 10-inch dead-bait, and set-line system (e.g., Rapala Thermal Tip Up or Clam Blue Ice Tip Up with Sufix Tip-Up Line, or Clam Predator Tip Up with ice rod combo).
The Tactic
In winter, a big, dead sucker, ciscoe or sardine is a scrumptious prize for predator fish. Compared to chasing live prey, dining on carrion requires very little effort, and is an easy energy source for pike, lake trout and walleye during the cold-water period.
Don’t be shy about using big bait on the VMC Bladed Predator Rig Wire Y Harness. A magnum dead-bait is better at attracting fish from greater distances. Upsized offerings also have a knack of catching trophy fish.
When targeting northerns exclusively, only using set-lines to soak dead-bait on a Bladed Predator Rig Wire Y Harness is arguably the best way to catch pike through the ice. However, on multi-species adventures, anglers can expect excellent results using a combination of jigging and set-line tactics.
For more details on dead-bait rigging and tactics for pike, lake trout and walleye, read this blog.
GET MAGNUM RESULTS ALL WINTER LONG
The four magnum-inspired, ice-fishing strategies outlined above catch giant fish throughout the entire ice-fishing season from shallow to deep habitats. Try them out and your hard-water adventures will be filled with more big pike, lake trout, and walleye.