Clear water Panfish Jigging

[piersm2]

I know I am opening up a can of worms here and I am sure this has already been covered, but I would like some opinions on panfish jigging setups.  I thought this would be a good topic going into a mild weekend with the MN ice fishing expo tomorrow! 

I am thinking of a small tungsten teardrop w/ plastics on 4 lb suffix 832 w/ fluro 2lb leader.

I fish a lot of clear lakes that are 20-40 ft deep w/ weeds.

Input appreciated as I am making the jump into tungsten jigs for the first time.

[hardwater diehard]

Clear water choose natural colors ...minnow/bait fish patterns ...as well as the preferred forage colors for that body of water ...stained water UV and glow.

[piersm2]

Same colors for plastics then?  Thinking Berkeley Gulp

[hardwater diehard]

Gulp works... only other suggestion would be a good ball bearing swivel ...line twist and horizontal jig spin are the enemy of pan fish fisherman.

[piersm2]

You are talking between the braided and leader?

[Bigassbassman]

Another key I've found to reduce jig spin like HD mentioned, is using a surgeon's loop to tie the tungsten jigs to the line or leader. It's the ONLY knot I use with tungsten.

For tungsten, you can't go wrong with Fiskas Wolfram. This season I'm also trying out the Clam Drop XLs.

For plastics, I really like the Little Atoms. I get mine from Yourbobbersdown. Check them out at the show if they're going to be there. Great variety of shapes, sizes, colors...glow duppie tails on tungsten jigs are deadly.

[piersm2]

Is there a reason why you prefer that knot with tungsten?

[Bigassbassman]

Is there a reason why you prefer that knot with tungsten?

Yes, it reduces jig spinning.  Try it out for yourself!  Tie one with the surgeon's loop, and tie one with palomar or clinch.  You'll see.   

[piersm2]

I'm going to take your word for it and not even try the other way!  Do you prefer certain jig designs and sizes?

[G fish]

I like the surgeon's loop knot I use it on most of my small jigs. make sure to test the knot after tied to jig I had some line that did not like the surgeon's knot.

[hardwater diehard]

good read on line and knots

http://targetwalleye.com/choosing-best-ice-fishing-line-panfish/

[Chris338378]

Thanks for posting that link, lots of good info there for everyone.

[Bigassbassman]

Yes, thanks for that link, HD!  Good diagram of the surgeon's loop:

[piersm2]

Great link!  I think I may be better off running 100% 2lb fluro on it since I will be home hopping and run some braided plus fluro leader on my walleye rod

[Iceassin]

For pannies, I use 1.5 to 3# line, no more than that...mono for dropper jigs/flies where I want a little less sinking and more buoyancy, fluoro for all other applications. I usually start big in jig size, #8, and move my way down to #16 or until the strikes start. Tip with minimum bait. As we all know, fish tend to eat less in winter due to lower metabolism. Not always...but quite often. And in clear water they tend to be spooked more, especially in the shallower water. Hope this helps.