Blade Baits

[scmelik]

With winter slowly creeping up on us I am starting to get my gear ready.  This year I am going to target eyes alittle more than I normally do.  I know that blade baits are one of the hottest baits for big eyes right now.  What blades do you guys like, what would you suggest, what sizes?

[addicted to ice fishing]

Cicada 3/8 oz

[Kevin23]

How do you guys fish them through the ice? 

[addicted to ice fishing]

With the cicadas, I use my regular summer rods. I drop it down the hole, find bottom, and raise it about 6 inches then give it a sharp snap to get the vibration.  Drop back to about 6 inches off the bottom, pause, and repeat.   Of course if they are suspended, you need to drop to that depth. Sometimes the eyes will slam it, other times you will just feel extra weight on the lift, so set the hook. Alot of times I will use a minnow head on the front hook.  Also try to keep a tight line on the drop, as the hooks tend to foul the line if you don't.

[riverbottoms]

As far as Bladebaits go you might want to try Custom Jigs & Spins Blades 1/4oz. Also use a Duo lock snap and a small barrel swivel up about 18" from your Duolock snap for line twist. For hardwater fishing anytime you have 3 holes to tie to use the center hole.   

[wetsleeves]

Ive used them all at one point or another, I've had best luck with the BfishN blades and the BPS lazer blade.  I dont tip them with anything it kills the vibe.  I will on occasion spray them with some trigger x or another attractant.

[slipperybob]

Cicada is what I've used in the past.  Tried those horrible Northland Live Forage blade baits and found them to look better as Xmas ornaments than actual fishing use.  I'll give the Damiki Vault blade baits a shot.  The hooks on them are kind of on the smaller size though.

[LoboWNY]

VibEs are pretty popular on Erie and here in OH generally.   Work very well on soft water to cast and stimulate a reaction bite when you cant get a good drift to jig in Spring.   Have worked for me through the ice too.  On soft water, I nip off forward leaning hook on front treble to drastically reduce snags.  No need for that mod on hard water.   You'd think tipping would work like it does for Pimples, spoons, but for me it doesnt seem to.   It still vibrates but the action is altered.  Have had success w/ Cicadas too.

[slipperybob]

I am adding a Johnson's Thinfish blade bait as a try this year too.

[ricks]

Vi-be for sure.  Active Walleyes , crappies , and perch love em !

[HUNTnFISHSD]

 I use the Heddon Blade baits mostly. InDepthOutdoors makes a video on how to use them and the catch lots of walleyes on them.

[Whopper Stopper]

I like Custom Jigs and Spin.

          WS

[kiltman]

I use Silver Buddies, Heddon Sonars and Vibe-E's.....They all work very well.
The main thing to remember is this: You have to vary the cadence of your jigging to match
the mood of the fish.
I also use those vibrating bait styled like the rattle trap. There are many.
The perch pattern works well.
Hope this helps

[FishSandwich]

Anyone have any key cadences they use?

Why do you use a regular length rod vs a more typical ice length rod?

Thanks!

[slipperybob]

There really isn't much of a way to describe cadence in words - except show and tell.  Then just count it out and watch your flasher.

maybe someone can word it out.