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IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: IcePirateJace on Sep 22, 2017, 10:34 AM

Title: Lures that don't work
Post by: IcePirateJace on Sep 22, 2017, 10:34 AM
I was reading a post about someone buying a bunch of jigging raps and thought how I can't catch fish with one. I know that it is a staple ice fishing lure but I cannot seem to make them work. Maybe I don't fish it right or pick the wrong colors but I have almost giving up on it. What are some of the other popular lures that don't work for you? I have a buddy that never catches anything with chubby darters but that one works for me.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Whytie on Sep 22, 2017, 10:46 AM
Lindy darters have never worked for me. Been fishing right next to my wife and she was hauling them in and I could not get a bite. Was out fished 5 to 0 till I switch to my live target lure.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: lostbrit on Sep 22, 2017, 10:59 AM
I had no luck with HD ice lures, looks amazing but no love for me.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: wallydiven on Sep 22, 2017, 11:06 AM
If it's tied on my line, it probably isn't gonna catch fish :/
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: DR.SPECKLER on Sep 22, 2017, 12:18 PM
salmo chubby darter for me.supposed to be a speck killer with the the smallest size that looks like a fathead minnow.fish are scared of the dang thing and scatter on my vex screen.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: cwavs1982 on Sep 22, 2017, 12:56 PM
Not what I wanted to hear about the Chubby Darter - that was one of the lures I wanted to try.  Will still give it a go - hopefully will have some good news!
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: IcePirateJace on Sep 22, 2017, 02:26 PM
Not what I wanted to hear about the Chubby Darter - that was one of the lures I wanted to try.  Will still give it a go - hopefully will have some good news!

I have had good luck with the chubby darter. I am sure you will hear of a lot of people with success with it as its a classic ice lure but sometimes it just isn't for everyone.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Seamonkey84 on Sep 22, 2017, 03:05 PM
I too have never caught anything with a jigging rap. I've had lots of luck with the chubby darter though, I always have a rod with one tied on, another with a Vmc rattle spoon or a custome jigs flutter spoon.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: rdhammah on Sep 22, 2017, 03:32 PM
I have not caught a fish with either the jigging rap nor chubby darter as well. I use them them to bring fish in and then hit them with the slender spoon and tungsten jigs
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Light liner on Sep 22, 2017, 04:36 PM
Perch talker.
Atleast for me.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Agronomist_at_IA on Sep 22, 2017, 04:41 PM
I've had some really good luck with chubby darters and raps. However, I've seemed to find that they are for when the bite is a touch more agressive. When the bite is agressive I've had just has good a luck with a spoon.

The only thing I haven't caught anything on is a perch talker.

Overall I'd have to say a lead head with a back hooked minnow always seems to work.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Dakota-Lew on Sep 22, 2017, 05:26 PM
yea perch talkers, i have caught some with it, but a waste of time to others. Always tangled up too while sending it down.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: fishslap on Sep 22, 2017, 11:06 PM
I've had good luck with jigging raps/shad raps, salmon chubby darters, and rattle traps.  The worst piece of junk waste of money and waste of space out there is clam's psycho shad.  Not enough weight to jig them properly.  Terrible action.  Looks pretty though...but I hate them.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Iceballs204 on Sep 23, 2017, 12:29 AM
+1 on the jiggin rap. Nice to know it's just not me.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: coffee joe on Sep 23, 2017, 06:25 AM
Perch talker for me. Try different ones and still they don’t work.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: missoulafish on Sep 23, 2017, 10:20 AM
The Northland Live Forage stuff..the ones that look like actual fish.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: ran7ger on Sep 23, 2017, 10:29 AM
pk lures, all of them. 
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: missoulafish on Sep 23, 2017, 11:53 AM
 ;D
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: SLAYERFISH on Sep 23, 2017, 11:56 AM
Buckshot spoons, PK spoons, chubby darter. :P
 I have a Jigging' Rap tied on all winter! ;D
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: SpitzoMT on Sep 23, 2017, 05:32 PM
I have the least luck with Jigging Rapala's. I keep trying them season after season & I bet I've only caught a handful of fish with them over the years.

On the other hand.....PK has been very good to me the past few seasons !!
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: crappeye on Sep 23, 2017, 07:44 PM
Always try the latest and greatest. Always go back to what worked last year. Go with the tried and true.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: FG Steve on Sep 24, 2017, 02:02 AM

3.5 lb cutthroat on a jiggin rap:

(http://stevelarsen.com/ice_shanty/HL15F.jpg)

(http://stevelarsen.com/ice_shanty/HL15C.jpg)

You just never know.  Two zeroes for me are crippled herring and chubby darter.

I also seem to try the latest thing and then catch fish on old standards.  And I buy lures that attract fishermen.   :P
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: OldSailor on Sep 24, 2017, 05:17 AM
If it's tied on my line, it probably isn't gonna catch fish :/
X2!!!  ;)
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: 3300 on Sep 24, 2017, 07:44 AM
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/uSUAAOSwRoZZgOyV/$_35.JPG)
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Light liner on Sep 24, 2017, 07:58 PM
pk lures, all of them.

Really? 
Flutter fish works great on champlain.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: ran7ger on Sep 24, 2017, 09:05 PM
 yep, they just did a great job of marketing.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: onestring on Sep 24, 2017, 09:20 PM
a lot of times it's not what's tied on but how you work it once you get fish on the flasher bring it up and make them come up and chase the lure I do really well with the raps on the open water also the thing I hate I the fins they always break and ruin the lure
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: rlvb on Sep 24, 2017, 09:41 PM
I use chubby darters and raps to attract fish in and catch them on something else!
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Old Goat on Sep 25, 2017, 05:53 AM
I've had good luck with jigging raps/shad raps, salmon chubby darters, and rattle traps.  The worst piece of junk waste of money and waste of space out there is clam's psycho shad.  Not enough weight to jig them properly.  Terrible action.  Looks pretty though...but I hate them.

Hope the clam thing is ok or I'll have to switch them to lanterns jesus do they glow
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: fishslap on Sep 25, 2017, 09:45 AM
Hope the clam thing is ok or I'll have to switch them to lanterns jesus do they glow

Tell us what you think about them after you use them.  For me, they were too light to jig the way a hard bait like that should be worked.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: poot_818 on Sep 25, 2017, 02:53 PM
Surprised to see guys don't have luck with perch talkers, I bought a green one last year, and the fish loved it, but I would cover the hooks in waxies!
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Dakota-Lew on Sep 25, 2017, 04:08 PM
Surprised to see guys don't have luck with perch talkers, I bought a green one last year, and the fish loved it, but I would cover the hooks in waxies!

Yea i can catch fish with them but nothing like i can with a simple tungsten jig. My other issue is when fishing below ten feet i have to be so damn careful sending it down, constantly snagging on it self. I have 4 or 5 of them in the tackle box, but i only put one on now days unless nothing else is working. 

Ironically i have had some crazy good luck with northern's with the large shiny big perch talkers. Perch talkers is 100% in my "only when forced" to type of lures. 
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Agronomist_at_IA on Sep 25, 2017, 06:46 PM
Oh another one is the red bead on the hook type of spoons like a smacking Jack. Can't get the perch to even look at them.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Old Goat on Sep 25, 2017, 08:06 PM
Tell us what you think about them after you use them.  For me, they were too light to jig the way a hard bait like that should be worked.

               I'll give it a try and see
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: rangerbill on Sep 25, 2017, 08:50 PM
Northland live forage blade bait.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Baetis62 on Sep 25, 2017, 09:37 PM
Kastmasters for me.  Tried all sizes, all colors, slow, fast, bang em off the bottom, tipped with everything, tipped with nothing. Nada.  Everything else in the box will at least catch an occasional fish but Kastys just don't work for me.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: ActiveTrapChecker on Sep 25, 2017, 10:30 PM
JaJe Bug Tungsten Ice Fly.....

 ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Agronomist_at_IA on Sep 25, 2017, 10:49 PM
Kastmasters for me.  Tried all sizes, all colors, slow, fast, bang em off the bottom, tipped with everything, tipped with nothing. Nada.  Everything else in the box will at least catch an occasional fish but Kastys just don't work for me.

You gotta be kidding me.......The first Ice lure I ever bought and used Ice fishing was a kastmaster with the perch patteren on it. I've caught more fish on kastmasters ice fishing then any spoon. I believe you, but I never thought anyone could have that bad a luck with them......I've caught about every fish you can with them. I think I have at least 50 of them on hand.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Swift on Sep 25, 2017, 11:21 PM
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/uSUAAOSwRoZZgOyV/$_35.JPG)
Friend caught a 35" Northern with that beasty on Stuart Lake many years ago .
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: CMS on Sep 26, 2017, 10:17 AM
I've never had a nibble on those rubber maggots. I try them and when they don't work I can bring same lure up and change to real maggots and get a bite instantly on same lure. I wish they would work for me as they last a lot longer on the hook.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Dakota-Lew on Sep 26, 2017, 10:22 AM
I've never had a nibble on those rubber maggots. I try them and when they don't work I can bring same lure up and change to real maggots and get a bite instantly on same lure. I wish they would work for me as they last a lot longer on the hook.

Yo try a maki from clam and a waxi, so when they strip the waxi you have another swing when they want more and go for the maki.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Agronomist_at_IA on Sep 26, 2017, 04:58 PM
I've never had a nibble on those rubber maggots. I try them and when they don't work I can bring same lure up and change to real maggots and get a bite instantly on same lure. I wish they would work for me as they last a lot longer on the hook.

Yeah.........the rubber maggot and the crappie nibbles I never had much luck with. However the plastics that have any type of tail that wiggles works pretty well if you keep the tail wiggle going with active fish.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: eyehi on Sep 26, 2017, 07:43 PM
Some advice for you guys having trouble with jigging rapalas ..... Match the lure color to the preferred bait in the lake and tip the treble hook with a minnow head ....I always start by pounding the lure off the bottom then circle the rod tip around the outside of the hole ..... Sometimes just holding it still is the key after stirring up the bottom .... A flasher helps tell what action the fish want ...
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Royalwapiti on Sep 27, 2017, 10:33 PM
Yeah.........the rubber maggot and the crappie nibbles I never had much luck with. However the plastics that have any type of tail that wiggles works pretty well if you keep the tail wiggle going with active fish.

I catch crappies on badger and West (Osceola) with the red Gulp maggots.  Mix them up with real ones.  The rubber stay on longer so you don't have to change them as often as real ones.  I use the crappie nibbles(either yellow or pink)  in the spring on soft water.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Tmuskie on Sep 28, 2017, 06:00 PM
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/uSUAAOSwRoZZgOyV/$_35.JPG)

This plug does work. 6-1/2 lb Largemouth night fishing at the Quabbin Res.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: esox_xtm on Sep 28, 2017, 06:11 PM
This plug does work. 6-1/2 lb Largemouth night fishing at the Quabbin Res.

No it doesn't. You were hoping to catch a musky.   ;)2 :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

Been there, done that..... :whistle:
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: Chute82 on Sep 29, 2017, 11:59 AM
Chubby darter for me, don't think I can remember catching anything on one.  Shad rap and jigging rap I have caught lots of fish on but that stupid chubby darter can't even catch bottom
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: rundrave on Oct 02, 2017, 10:08 AM
I think that a lot of people over work the lures. I didnt realize I was doing it and then I watched this video and it all made sense.


Pay close attention to the speed of how he works the lure.
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: tbern on Oct 02, 2017, 10:40 AM
Interesting video, thx for sharing
Title: Re: Lures that don't work
Post by: SLAYERFISH on Oct 02, 2017, 10:41 AM
99% of my hits on the jiggin rap come when I hold it perfectly still for 30 seconds or more-

I jig jig jig till a mark shows up on my Vex then hold it dead still.