BIG fish

[Iceaddict12]

I have been fishing for pan fish for my entire life, as that is what my father enjoys, and, quite frankly, I am SICK of it. I have caught a number of eyes, pike and bass. It has always been on accident, though. I have never targeted those fish. I have hundreds, maybe even thousands of hours of ice time, but I want to switch it up this year. So Please give me any and every tip regarding big fish that you are willing to share (tackle, depth, technique, structure, etc..). Dont get me wrong, I love the little guys, but I want MONSTERS.

[tightliner812]

Sounds like you need bigger bait .

your best bet would start reading through the fish boards . There is a lot of good info in these boards from rod / tip up set up to where to look for them .

[dachmation]

Seeing as where you are from, Big Bay, you are right in BIGGG Eye country, Big and Little Bay are soe of the best walleye fishing areas.

[stripernut]

I to have caught lots of pan fish thru the ice, but for me they have just been something to do between the "Bigger" fish... I have done very well over the years with using bigger shiners on my tip ups with (were legal) quick strike rigs. I go through a lot less bait and hook more fish in the lips! Past couple years I have switched my focus to more big fish on the jigging rod, again having great luck with bigger jigs, getting me bigger fish (consistently), with the Chubby Darter really paying off. This year I am upping my "game" with a even bigger jig;

[pimplejigger84]

  whoa!!! That is a huuuuuuge chubby you got there! Is that one of those new XL, giant, super, chubby darters that I have been hearing about this year? What does that thing weigh? Seems like it may take even longer than a regular chubby darter to get down to the bottom, no?

[pimplejigger84]

I have been fishing for pan fish for my entire life, as that is what my father enjoys, and, quite frankly, I am SICK of it. I have caught a number of eyes, pike and bass. It has always been on accident, though. I have never targeted those fish. I have hundreds, maybe even thousands of hours of ice time, but I want to switch it up this year. So Please give me any and every tip regarding big fish that you are willing to share (tackle, depth, technique, structure, etc..). Dont get me wrong, I love the little guys, but I want MONSTERS.

X2 on what Tightliner 812 said. All the information you would ever need is on here right at your fingertips. Check out Youtube videos. Find out where those large fish are and target them. Try to match what their natural prey are.

[stripernut]

Giant Chubby Darter, 3.5 oz 5.5" long...

[pimplejigger84]

Wow, that's heavy. The extra weight must help get it down there. Good luck! One thing's for sure... if something takes that it going to be huge!

[stripernut]

I can't wait to set those hooks in to a fish!

[Whopper Stopper]

The search function is your friend

               WS

[Iceaddict12]

I to have caught lots of pan fish thru the ice, but for me they have just been something to do between the "Bigger" fish... I have done very well over the years with using bigger shiners on my tip ups with (were legal) quick strike rigs. I go through a lot less bait and hook more fish in the lips! Past couple years I have switched my focus to more big fish on the jigging rod, again having great luck with bigger jigs, getting me bigger fish (consistently), with the Chubby Darter really paying off. This year I am upping my "game" with a even bigger jig;

When you say jig, are you talking like rapalas or pimples or what?

[Iceaddict12]

Seeing as where you are from, Big Bay, you are right in BIGGG Eye country, Big and Little Bay are soe of the best walleye fishing areas.

Haha, wrong big bay. I was referring to the Big Bay in Powell Township, a hop skip and a jump from yourself. That too is eye county, but I will be on Big Bay de Noc this weekend, I just need insight on targeting them. I understand the tipup concept, but i want one on a rod.

[stripernut]

For me Pimples have only caught a few big fish and the rapalas even less, But jigging the Chubby Darter have been a game changer!

[Iceaddict12]

When you say jig, are you talking like rapalas or pimples or what?

Sorry I didn't see the picture until just now.

[fishermantim]

You have to consider "upping" your game.
Bigger baits / lures are a good start.
Consider where you will be fishing. If you are generally catching panfish and only on rare occaisions are you getting  bigger fish, consider a new location where the big fish are prone to hunt and hang out.

Sure you could stay at the "tried and true" spots, but maybe add a new spot or two so you have an added option for pursuing monsters.