Topic: Best Ice Fishing Lures for Panfish of 2023 (Read 31 times)
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The Lindy Tungsten Toad is a tough and reliable bait that should be in every ice angler’s arsenal. Its main benefit is that its dense tungsten co*position falls faster than lead counterparts of the same size. This means anglers can downsize without reducing weight. When targeting bluegill, this can be especially important. The Tungsten Toad co*es in a multitude of glow and non-colors, as well as three hook sizes—sizes 10, 12, and 14.
Read Next: The Best Walleye Lures
I pair my Tungsten Toads with wax worms or very small plastics. In most situations, I prefer a size 12 hook because it’s large enough to weed out small fish but small enough to entice bluegill. When paired with bait I use a slow dance and raise. During tough bite days, I downsize to a size 14 hook and waxworms to turn over more fish.
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The Northland Forage Minnow is a perfect spoon for targeting jumbo perch. Not only does it have a lifelike holographic pattern in a variety of popular perch patterns, but it also can be purchased as small as 1/32 ounce, making it a very versatile spoon for many different areas.
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The VMC Tungsten Bullfly Jig is a small, co*pact package that co*es in a variety of colors, including glow and metallic patterns. Its feather tail and wings help it mimic bugs and small forage in the water. This is key during those midwinter days, when the bite gets more finicky.
I always keep a variety of 1/16, 1/32, and 1/64 ounce jigs in metallic silver and metallic gold on hand. I tip them with spikes and work them up slowly through the water column. When using that technique, you’ll be surprised by how many crappies, bluegill and perch you can catch on this little jig.
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The Lindy Rattl’N Flyer Spoon is a perfect lure for nearly any species thanks to its unique wing structure and built-in rattles. Its erratic return and aggressive behavior is popular among predator anglers. However, when downsized to the 1/16 ounce size, it can be one of the best ice fishing lures for panfish, specifically for the largest and most aggressive panfish. Its lifelike patterns and variation of colors allows you to match the hatch. It’s especially effective tipped with a minnow head or some spikes.
Read Next: The Best Bass Lures
This flyer spoon has caught me some big crappie and jumbo perch because in trophy fisheries often create an environment conducive to an aggressive bite. That’s why when targeting fish on a trophy destination, don’t be afraid to throw out a more aggressive bait such as a Lindy Rattl’N Flyer Spoon, and watch as you pick off the largest and most aggressive fish in the school.
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The Jigging Rap is a staple for walleye fishing. However, what many people don’t realize is how deadly it can be one of the best ice fishing lures for panfish. There are times when the only thing that will work is the snap jigging technique (quick snaps with a varied cadence). This technique, paired with the Jigging Rap’s realistic profile and perfect snap jigging response, can be the trigger on those days when nothing else seems to be working. Not to mention, when co*petition is a factor, the biggest fish will often chase the most aggressive lures. This is when the jigging rap really shines.
Sizes 2, 3, and 5 are best when targeting panfish. Best of all, bait is not needed, meaning more time in the water and less time wasted baiting your hook. When working the Jigging Rap, focus on a varied cadence.
Picking the right lure is critical for increasing your odds while targeting panfish, but ultimately the best way to land more panfish is to lighten up your gear. An ultralight or noodle rod will allow for the lightest detection in bite while also allowing you to control lightweight baits. This is especially important when using baits like the Lindy Tungsten Toad, Crappie Pro Mo’ Glo Jig, and VMC Bullfly.
Make sure to also pair your presentation with a light line. I prefer 2- to 4-pound monofilament for crappie and bluegill, but braid and fluorocarbon will do too. Many perch anglers prefer braid, as its stiffer co*position and added sensitivity assist in enticing and detecting the perch bite off of the bottom. Most importantly, it helps you detect a bite. The sensitivity on the end of the rod allows you to see the lightest interaction with the bait and respond with a hookset.
Jigs and spoons in 1/4 ounce or 1/8 ounce are most popular. I reco*mend an 1/8 ounce on a tougher bite and 1/4 ounce on a more aggressive bite.
Jig heads work well when ice fishing for nearly all species. Just make sure to pair jig heads with plastics or live bait.
Spoons work great for ice fishing nearly all species. Make sure to tip a spoon with live bait.
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When choosing the best ice fishing lure for panfish, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the long aisles of colors and sizes, but you can feel well prepared having these options in your tackle box.
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