locating fish

[haightdaddy]

how else can i locate fish to jig for without a flasher? any ideas would be great. hopefully getting out saturday

[DovaIceFisha]

cut a big hole, put on a wet suit and snorkle and jump on in... Haha But honestly without a flasher unless you have ESP your outta luck man. Thats why its called fishing man and not catching!

[fishon35]

A good place to start is look at a map of a body of water and study the depth contours and fish drop offs.  An even longer event is to fish the body of water consistently to figure out where the fish are.  If you drill a hole and nothing happens for five-ten min, drill another hole and repeat.

[haightdaddy]

so just keep moving around if the fishing is slow?

[DovaIceFisha]

you have to figure out what kind of fish you are after, each species prefers a different structure(i.e. bass like weeds, rainbows will be at sandy bottoms). Figure out what your targeting, look at a map then go search. When u find the area your looking for drill some holes, if you get nothing keep drilling. It usually pans out

[nixstyx]

you have to figure out what kind of fish you are after, each species prefers a different structure(i.e. bass like weeds, rainbows will be at sandy bottoms). Figure out what your targeting, look at a map then go search. When u find the area your looking for drill some holes, if you get nothing keep drilling. It usually pans out

That's the key. What kind of fish will you be targeting? Maybe we can help you narrow it down a bit.

[fishon35]

Many times I have moved when nothing bites.  Or, if I want to try a new area, I'll drill a hole and try it-- worked very well for me in the past to study contours.  The fish don't like to come to you, you go to them.

[dickbaker]

    If you fishing anything but salmon/trout water you should be using your six tipups to locate fish.  Once you find them you can worry about jigging.  You have to put in the time and cover the ice.   Look for point, dropoffs and remember the weed beds from your open water fishing.   That's the way we did it before electronics

Dick

[fishingeek]

Think like a fish.    I always target points, steep dropoffs, coves, and weed structures. Usually one of the four will produce.

[haightdaddy]

me and my dad planned on a 12 tip up day. thanks for the tips! im really just shooting for anything i dont care what i catch because im pretty new to jigging still.

[TheOutdoorsman]

Find good structure.  Move around a lot AND change jigs/baits often if you aren't having success. 

Then, save up a little money and buy a flasher.  You will immediately know whether you are on fish or not, and if you are using the right lure!

[huntr-]

look for structure ,drop offs,deep holes,any thing that will hold bait fish.Patience is a must with out electronics after you've had them .Persistance and a lot of luck. Good luck.  P.S.  Do not be afraid  to go outside the box and try new methods or presentations.

[ice fisher]

I agree You gotta look for target points . Most important put in enough time on the ice .Every lake is a little different. Keep moving every couple of hours until you find the fish .

[bikrsrule]

If your fishing and you see some other fisherman, go over and introduce yourself, tell em your a rookie, you will be surprised at the help you will get, just like here on the shanty..besides, if nothing else, you will make a new friend.