Beads

[vtsynn]

Relatively new to ice fishing and was talking with some guys last winter that were slaying fish on Champlain and they had colorful beads above the mono and hooks. Anyone willing to explain the thought behind that as well as the setup?  I assume it is like adding a hotspot to a fly, catching attention. Going to try some of my plastic salmon eggs on the lines tomorrow over in the Gut. Thanks for any tips.

[dave b.]

I think that it might depend on what you are targeting for fish . I know some people like to put some added bling on their leaders. For line shy species it might be a turn off. I have experimented with adding a few beads and a spinner blade on my leaders ,  I put them right above my small split shot which I usually have 18” above my hook. I can’t really say that it has improved my catch rate. I did a search on the  whole ice shanty forum and found a few threads about it. If I remember correctly the pike guys were the ones most enthusiastic about it.

Dave