Artificial Bait

[Pic6]

Hey everyone, long time lurker first time poster.  I haven't done much ice fishing, but this year I'm looking to head out more.  I've never had much luck on the river or the lake in the times I have gone that's why I haven't posted.  But I would be the first one to brag to you all if I did catch.  I just picked up a couple of Chubby Darter's and some Crackin' Raps.  I was wondering if anyone can help me out with best technique with these lures.

Thanks

[xrapshadrap]

get yourself a livetarget.

[addicted to ice fishing]

I can not answer your question, but I would suggest adding some slender spoons, and buckshot spoons to your tackle box.

[HighlandGlen Guide]

rip them up a few feet then let them drift down, not too difficult. hard to fish these lures without a flasher, cause ive found once youve marked them on the flasher, you need to adjust to the fish sometimes in order for them to bite

[firefighter]

Welcome aboard Pic! Last winter I started fishing with the "rippin" type lipless Such as the Livetarget. Was pleasantly surprised as I got some dandy walleyes on the LT's and Chubbys as well. As stated back a bit, electronics help a lot but I wouldn't stay home if I did not have a flasher. A flasher will show you the "mood" the fish are in and aid greatly in getting them to strike. Also be blatantly clear if fish are present or not.

Drill a couple holes about 2 feet apart. Fish a ripping lure in one to attract fish. Fish the other hole with a dead stick baited spoon or jig with live or salted minnow. If the fish are aggressive they will chase and strike the ripping lure. When the walleye are moody...which is almost always for me... they may take the deadstick presentation.

You can bait the ripping lures, LT's will take a minnow head to the front hook and work fine. Some days thats what the fish want. IMO Chubbys don't work properly when baited as such and have to be fished without. Had the most succsess with Golden Shiner LT's and small Chubbys in the perch pattern.

Don't for get to stock your tackle tray with jigging spoons, lead head jigs and such. These will catch walleyes as well.

FF   

[IceDreamMan]

With the LiveTarget I'll put a Berkley Gulp minnow head on the back treble hook for scent. I think it stops the hook from snagging your line as well. Stays on as you rip unlike real minnow heads IMO.

[30-30]

Some good advice, but it really  matters where you go.  I use the old standby green or red fireballs tipped with salties for the most part. Also like the Darters, and again, different colours for different areas, plus a Swedish Pimple works nice too.

Welcome aboard, this is a nice site with good folks.

[mcdee]

Another good tip is to drop your lure right onto the bottom and stir things up . Fish will come a running to check that out .

[Bazinga]

Welcome aboard Pic! Last winter I started fishing with the "rippin" type lipless Such as the Livetarget. Was pleasantly surprised as I got some dandy walleyes on the LT's and Chubbys as well. As stated back a bit, electronics help a lot but I wouldn't stay home if I did not have a flasher. A flasher will show you the "mood" the fish are in and aid greatly in getting them to strike. Also be blatantly clear if fish are present or not.

Drill a couple holes about 2 feet apart. Fish a ripping lure in one to attract fish. Fish the other hole with a dead stick baited spoon or jig with live or salted minnow. If the fish are aggressive they will chase and strike the ripping lure. When the walleye are moody...which is almost always for me... they may take the deadstick presentation.

You can bait the ripping lures, LT's will take a minnow head to the front hook and work fine. Some days thats what the fish want. IMO Chubbys don't work properly when baited as such and have to be fished without. Had the most succsess with Golden Shiner LT's and small Chubbys in the perch pattern.

Don't for get to stock your tackle tray with jigging spoons, lead head jigs and such. These will catch walleyes as well.

FF   

A scholar and a gentleman!   Great advice Capt.

[Pic6]

Thanks for all the tips everyone!  I especially liked xrapshadrap's tip to "get a Live Target" aka "throw the rest of that junk you bought in the garbage" ha ha  .  I went to Cabella's and Wholesale sports but couldn't find any Live Targets for ice fishing.  Cabella's had some but they were pretty big.

I'll let you know if your tips help my luck some time this week.

Also I love the pictures of the fish some of you have posted.  That's what keeps me going until I get some for myself!

[HighlandGlen Guide]

cabelas doesnt have the brownish gold golden shiner live target that you want, sold out long time ago and doesnt sound like they are gonna get any for a bit. Try Sportsmans Stop at corner of highways 59 and 44, he has a good selection at the same price if not better that cabelas.

[firefighter]

Pro Am had the brown golden shiner LT's a couple days ago. I bought two of the smallest size.

FF

[xrapshadrap]

Thanks for all the tips everyone!  I especially liked xrapshadrap's tip to "get a Live Target" aka "throw the rest of that junk you bought in the garbage"

good one!

[Water Wolf]

You can find live target golden shinners at Canadian Tire and at The Fishin' Hole also.

WW