First Ice Fishing trip...

[addy79]

do i really need to buy ice fishing line? or will my regular mono or braided spiderwire do the job?

 

what size jig heads should i pick up?

 

im fishing nippising this weekend if that makes any difference. any other tips/suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

[Raf]

do i really need to buy ice fishing line? or will my regular mono or braided spiderwire do the job?

 

what size jig heads should i pick up?

 

im fishing nippising this weekend if that makes any difference. any other tips/suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

 

regular mono will do. i don't typically use anything heavier than 8lb. usually 4, 6, & 8lb. i am not a fan of braid for ice fishing as it absorbs lots of water, freezes and makes a mess of your reel. i do primarily fish outside, so if you're in a shack the braid should be fine.

 

1/8 & 1/4 oz jig heads will cover most of your needs

[tonyb]

Stay away from the ice lines...the regular mono works just fine.

 

Pick up a couple of Williams Ice Jigs...the nu-wrinkle silver/gold is a productive lure anywhere in the province.

 

 

Also, the Buckshot Rattle spoons in the larger size are effective for many species. (Silver Shiner or Glo Perch are my favorites)

 

Blue Fox Rattle Flash Jig-n-Spoons are effective as well with more of a flutter than the Buckshot...

 

Throw in some Swedish pimples

 

Mr Champs and/or Kastmasters and you are good to go!

 

Keep active on your rods and set lines ensuring that you are constantly jig-jig-pausing and also that you check the minnows on the set lines regularly to make sure they are lively or a Perch hasn't stolen them...you should have lots of success!

 

Tony

Edited February 5, 2008 by tonyb

[Jen]

I just wanted to say have an amazing time this weekend Addy...

 

Dress Warm and get some of those little warmer things to go into your boots, they make all the difference on the ice!

 

Cheers,

 

Jen

[mistyriver1]

Only one I'd add to the list would be the Rapala Jigging Raps. I've had pretty good luck with those.

 

Good luck.

[irishfield]

From an absolute ice fishing newbie... what raf said ! I used the blue trilene ice line and it's a tangling mess. I stripped and re-spooled with my regular trilene mono and it worked great last year.

[kuhaman]

A plain old hook and sinker with a lively minnow always works for me.

Edited February 6, 2008 by kuha

[tapout]

I haven't gotten to Nipissing in the last couple years, but when I did I found that the Swedish Pimple in chartruese colour worked very well. Always been the Nipissing producer for me. If you are putting out a tip-up/set line I'd recommend a 2 or 3 way spreader. My fav way is to hook the minnows behind the dorsal fin " make sure not to hit the spine" and have them facing the same way so they can swim around a bit and not be swimming against each other.Also helps to keep the minnows the same size to keep the spreader from going lopsided. I assume you'll be targeting walleye so be sure to be fishing very close to bottom. No more then 6" off is a good start. Has always worked for me.

 

Take care and awaiting the report.

[addy79]

Stay away from the ice lines...the regular mono works just fine.

 

Keep active on your rods and set lines ensuring that you are constantly jig-jig-pausing and also that you check the minnows on the set lines regularly to make sure they are lively or a Perch hasn't stolen them...you should have lots of success!

 

Tony

 

thanks for all the info Tony, i'll put it to good use.

[addy79]

Take care and awaiting the report.

 

 

thanks for the tips Tapout, report to follow...

[mufasa001]

I have used braided ice lines this year and have not had any of the issues I see posted.