THE NOT SO FAMOUS ICE FISHING SPECIES

THE NOT SO FAMOUS

ICE FISHING SPECIES

By: Jeff “Jiggy” Andersen, Ice Team Pro

As an Ice Angler who has been blessed to fish for so many species all across the ice belt I have been lucky to experience so many different bites to chase. There is no doubt the walleye, perch and crappie get the most attention with a close second, probably my favorite, the Lake Trout getting the fame. All three are excellent table fair and can be found all across the Midwest. There’s a good reason why they are top of the list but I have found a new species that provides a great challenge, a super fight, and are abundant in so many lakes that I would bet is close to you!

The Bass. Yep there isn’t much copy about chasing Bass through the ice and I can tell you they are a blast. Both Small and Largemouth bass have my attention and the past few years have been some of my most memorable days on the ice.

Recently I just wrapped up filming with Ice Team Pro Jason Durham on a mission to chase down Smallmouth Bass in Northern Minnesota. Jason was the guide on this trip and I was the student. To say the day was great would be selling it short. It was truly an amazing experience filled with tons of smallmouth topside and some really big ones!

Every single day on the ice I view as an experiment. Take in as much information as possible and when it comes down to it find the fish, adapt your presentation to the situation and learn what triggers that fish to bite. My success on the ice is really built around that concept. Lucky for me Jason had the fish located from his fall fishing endeavors but we still had to drill a set of holes on the rock reef. Our presentation was the Clam Drop Jig XXL with the Maki Silkie jig trailer paired up either a Maki Spiiki or Mino.

LOCATION

Lets talk smallmouth location. As you hear me mention Jason had found these fish in the fall while fishing out of his boat. Like so many species if they are there in the fall they are usually there during early ice. This was a deeper rock structure that leads into super deep water. Prime smallie habitat with huge bolders. Other areas to consider are lakes with shallower main lake holes. Many would refer to these as wintering holes but Jason said he has found more active fish using the big bolder structures.

PRESENTATION

With both Largemouth and Smallmouth the smaller compact

NOT SO FAMOUS

ICE FISHING SPECIES

presentation seems to be key. The Drop Jig XXL is small but heavy with a large gap hook. These are key features! The Silkie ads some bulk but more importantly a life like movement like no other and to top it off the Maki plastic added the finishing touch. White was the color of choice.

THE FINISH

So we had the first two key elements dialed in and now my job is to study with an eagle eye to how they wanted the jig moved. Listening to Jason’s advise it wasn’t a fast pull away but more of a slow keep away game with a rise of the jig all while using very short rod shakes keeping that beauty of a presentation moving in the water.

The bites at times seemed very subtle. Line watching was key to detect the bite but after we hooked up it was a battle!

Last Ice Season I filmed a largemouth piece. It was very similar endeavor to the aforementioned but a change in location. I found them very close shallow weed edges sitting in the pockets but the memory was the same, hard fighting and lots of action.

If your goal this ice season is to get the crew together and fry up some fish I wouldn’t say this bite is for you but if you are looking for a chance to really hone your jig stroke combined with the study of your electronics to put fish on the ice bass is a species that undoubtedly will provide much opportunity!

You can watch both the Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass show on my YouTube channel located at Jeff Andersen Fishing.