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Hang Your Coat On This Livebait Tip
| Author | Subject: Hang Your Coat On This Livebait Tip |
| JP | Posted At 14:35:34 01/04/2002
When you're inside the calm, quiet confines of your portable or permanent ice shelter, watching a live minnow's progress well below the ice is entertaining and productive. Once you've set your depth, splice in an elastic band to form a loop in your line. Use a length of straightened wire protruding from a beam or board in the shack, preferably at or near eye level. Adjust it so that the line is centered over the hole. I've tried all types of wire, and have found the common coathanger to be as sensitive and easy to manage as anything. Fix a bell near the spot where the wire protrudes from it's holder (a styrofoam wall, a hole drilled in a 2x2 etc). Have your rod rigged either in an overhead rafter or somewhere else out of the way. Allow the fish to take line freely once he's trippied the loop from the wire. Either have a loose, loose drag or your bail open, if you're using a rod+reel. The Shimano BaitRunner is what I use for pike and lakers. They can run freely with little resistance on the free-spool setting. I opt for TOTAL free-spool when I'm after walleyes. A simple spool of line works as well as anything, and it easy to carry, store and use. Watching the wire dance will tell you how your minnow is performing. Steady, frantic bobbing after a period of innactivity usually means there's a stare-down going on below the ice. It's a fun and productive way to setline for pike, lakers and walleye with live minnows. Very entertaining for the kids or a first-timer. |