Swimming lures like the jigging rapala are some of the very best ice lures around. I have a whole box full of them. Perch, Crappie, Trout, Walleye, Pike, even catfish love them. Since they are so heavy, they need heavier line to work than other lures. I wouldn't use anything under 6 pound test to use these lures, even for panfish. For the bigger raps, say over a #7, I would use 12 pound mono or fluorocarbon. The heavier line slows down the rap and makes it swim in a slower, more tantalizing circle. For a #2 or #3, six pound test is fine. Fluorocarbon is probably the best option if using heavier line because it's invisible.
For walleyes, I like to place a small minnow head on the treble, but often with walleyes you don't have to. For panfish or trout, a tiny sliver of crawler or a perch eye works great.
To fish them, start with a 2 foot lift fall, and let it sit for about 10 seconds. Then add subtle jiggles every 5 - 10 seconds for about 20 seconds, followed by another lift/fall/pause. They swim in a circle and will be moving for quite some time after you pause.
Tyler
