For that, we’ll need about one 3-pound lake trout, hauled up cold and firm from the depths, fooled by a white tube jig or a yellow Road Runner jig or a Northland Buck-Shot spoon. Lake trout will won’t hesitate to eat them when the fishing’s hot and there’s a lot of bait under you, and they’re a deadly, deadly ‘clean-up batter’ whenever we mark fish that won’t hit other lures after things slow down. Mizmo makes this bait in a wide variety of colors and patterns, for lake trout the white, pearl, and silver-colored ones tend to work the best. Seems like no matter where you ice fish for lake trout -- from Lake Simcoe to Lake Temagami, Lake Superior to Lake of the Woods -- and all of the wonderful water in between, a white tube jig is the "gold standard". Giant Tora Gitzit Tubes are big fish catchers during the pre-spawn and spawn time of year. My pearl white tube jig spiraled into the black abyss as I leaned over to turn on my flasher. We carry name brand products and specialty products for the fisherman at competitive prices! That means when your partner catches a fish, move immediately into his hole as soon as he lands the trout. And hone the front and rear hooks to razor sharpness when you replace the stock treble with a high-grade hook like the Gamakatsu (try one size larger). Tip with a minnow head, waxworms or IMPULSE Minnow Head and Perch Eye. Retail Hours: (Walk In Traffic) Temporarily Closed Curbside Pickup: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5:30pm PST Sun: Closed *Pick up location - Tennis Warehouse Unit 110 Phone Hours: Monday - Friday: 5am - 6pm PT Sat - Sun: 10:00am - 3:00pm PT Retail is closed on all major U.S. holidays. A feather jig, however, can be fished both over top of the snags but also popping it through the cover which will ideally prevent snags. Whether you use tube jigs, Jigging Rapalas, airplane jigs, or spoons, lake trout love movement. Various other companies produce trout jigs but the Sierra Slammers' color selection and component quality make our Sierra Mini Jigs second to none. © The Coastal SideCopyright 2019 thecoastalside.com. To be sure, on some popular waters, the trout population has been skimmed off, but the fish also appear to make subtle shifts in location. They come in … But they leave little to chance. At the very least, move to the nearest vacant hole. While white tube jigs have been very effective and popular over the years, using other soft, plastic lures in other colors as well. McGregor Lake Sounds like about 5in ice on the lake. Nevertheless, airplane jigs can be an important arrow in your winter trout quiver. Because of its versatility from fish species (from finicky splake to aggressive pike) and it’s versatility in all area, it’s a great bait at any time! For most of the open-water season, lake trout are locked out of these shallow, productive, food-rich sections of the lake, because lakers flourish in water in the high 40°F to low 50°F range, and in summer, temperatures in these areas often approach twice that reading. Unfortunately, even the best lake trout waters are fragile, inhospitable environments that grow trout at rates of less than .25 pounds per surface acre on a sustainable basis. Fishing reels with a gear ratio of 6.3:1 means the spool rotates 6.3 times for every 360-degree turn of the reel handle. One thing that a lot of jigs for trout have in common is a weighted head. As winter progresses, though, usually in February, a midseason lull begins. Top Five Ice Fishing Lures for Lake Trout White Tube Jigs. They’re constructed from solid .062 brass and feature several different finishes to imitate a variety of local forage fish. His wealth of fly fishing knowledge and expert techniques will help anyone elevate their game! Finally, never neglect confined open water adjacent to trout structure. Born in the great white north, these spoons have proven their effectiveness in the lake trout rich regions of Northern Ontario. We'll keep you in the loop with the latest tips, gear info, how-to articles, and giveaways. As you will read, trolling is my most productive method of catching Lake Trout. Familiar to veteran In-­Fisherman readers and anglers versed in fish sensory abilities. However, a lot of modern jigs are made from artificial plastics. ©2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Whether it’s fished with a light tackle bobber flowing in the current of a river or stream, or jigged slowly through the water, it is sure to entice even the most picky of trout to strike. Very nice brown! Do not be afraid to bounce your jig right off the bottom. Two sizes are available (3.75 inch and 4.25 inch), both of which are good options for lake trout fishing. Lake trout fishing was a little slow overall, but there were stories of some excellent fishing happening out there. “I typically rig them on a spearhead jig with a stinger hook, attached using a plastic-coated wire loop. |   Most spoon jiggers attach a piece of sucker meat to the trailing treble, but a sucker or chub minnow is a much better option, if you rig it right. I've found the best hard-water trout spoons to be standard 1/2-ounce to 3/4-ounce models like the Mepps Syclops and the famous Williams Whitefish spoon. It is the most serious tube jig on the lake. Jensen (920/731-5889) ties this marvelous cisco imitator on 1/8-, 1/4-, and 3/8-ounce Owner Ultrahead jigs. While you're jigging this way, back away from your hole, and keep walking backward until your lure is right under the ice. 2021 Trout Rods© Trout Rods is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. The biggest lake trout I ever hooked — only minutes after we re­leased a 37-pounder — was in an area like this. That's why the best turns are created when two long points jut out to create a huge, deep, underwater horseshoe-shaped trap with no escape. It's tough to fish a tube jig wrongly for any species of fish at any time, icefishing for lake trout is much the same. The lure can be vertically jigged, or allowed to spiral downwards in a controlled semi-circle. Forgotten (Or Temporarily Overlooked) Muskie Lures, Selecting a Bumping Rod and Reel for Catfish, Why You Should Fish with an Ice Spooler This Season, Hobie MirageDrive 360 Kayak Propulsion: Amazing Control and Power. The Buck-Shot® Rattle Spoon is deadly year-round for vertical jigging perch, walleye, trout, bass and pike. Instead, predator and prey alike prefer to follow constant contours and narrow depth bands — even if that means traveling around a structure as opposed to over it. If you pull your lure out of the water to change baits — or to check it — you're missing an opportunity. The renowned Forage Minnow® Jig flashes and flutters up strikes from walleyes, trout, jumbo panfish and other predators. In most lakes, where the trout favour some form of soft-rayed, silvery forage, nothing will produce more fish faster than a 3 1/2- to five-inch white tube jig (below). Our Tube Jig Kit is great for Lake Trout or Burbot. Sometimes that's the top, but usually it's the depth the forage fish are using. But for some reason, in some places, the airplane's effectiveness has tapered off lately. Reviews There are no reviews yet. Typical lures for lake trout include (clockwise from upper left) spoons like the Mepps Syclops and William's Whitefish; a #9 Jigging Rapala; a Northland Air-Plane jig coupled with a tube body; tube baits like the Berkley Power Tube body slipped over a 3/8-ounce Blue Fox Foxee head; an Apex Tackle Shad Poke; and a Jensen Marabou jig. Their fighting ability is far superior to the largemouth bass—more par with muskies. I simply keep my rod tip pointed toward the hole, ready to strike, knowing my tube, spoon, Rapala, or airplane jig is spiraling up to the surface like a fleeing baitfish. Dark colors like purple, … Top 9 Ice Fishing Lures for Lake Trout Best Tube Jig Mizmo Soft Plastic. And the erratic action that simulates a dead or dying cisco, smelt, or perch is usually the best. You can rig these soft plastics with a ¼ ounce jig head, which will cause them to fall to the bottom in a spiraling pattern. Most often, they're using the same depth they used when they were scouting the structure. Baits. Winter smallmouths are different animals. And if you feel any loss of weight, run backward and set the hook. Like crappies — but even more so — lake trout love to prowl over deep open water adjacent to structure. Lake trout are commonly stocked in lakes to meet the demand of anglers. The best airplane jigs are homemade and fashioned around a single 3/0, 4/0, or 5/0 hook like the Gamakatsu. The thicker bodied design makes these lures more durable, while still remaining easy to rig and set the hook. It features a unique sound chamber with internal BB’s that create an enticing sound with maximum vibration. I grew up fishing, canoeing, and camping throughout the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. Throw in an immense variety to choose from, and you’ve hit the fishing jig jackpot. I usually use a 4-6″ jerk shad and a 1/4 ounce jig. The In-Fisherman staff reveals some of the hottest action of the winter season, as they show how to ice 20-pound channel catfish. But when the fish are picky and I need to fine-tune the color, I use thick-walled, super-salty, silver, white, and blue-hued Phoenix tubes, spiced with Power Bait or Dr. Juice scent. These spoons are originally designed for slow trolling, but they’re also highly effective for vertical jigging. An anti-tarnish lacquer ensures long-lasting reliability, while its slow flutter creates an irresistible action that drives lake trout, salmon, and pike wild. 5 Pink Glow 5 Red Glow 5 Orange Glow 5 Green Glow 5 Yellow Glow 5 Natural Glow 5 Natural Blue Glow 1 Flambeau Tackle Box. Make no mistake, this is one of the best trout jigs money can buy. These fisheries are your best bet for a chance at a whopper-size perch. Let’s take a look at some of the best lake trout lures for ice fishing in more detail. This kit comes with 5 each of our 7 Glow In The Dark Tube Jigs. But sadly, that giant lake trout I told you about earlier, broke my line and swam away with "Oscar the Trout Grouch" firmly attached to its lip, and I've mourned its loss ever since. Tube jigs are phenomenal ice fishing lures for lake trout, in large part because of the downward, spiraling, twisting motion you impart to them when you let them free fall on controlled slack. An elongated profile creates an enticing baitfish looking presentation, which drives lake trout, walleye, whitefish, and other fish wild. If you are looking to draw walleye or lake trout strikes, try the more traditional open water baits like the tube jig or marabou jig to get results. Whether you have a need for speed or want the power to go deep, choosing a fishing reel with the right gear ratio will help you achieve your goal.. Gear ratios determine the speed at which a reel picks up line. Only rarely does a laker come up for a look at Jensen's creation and leave without biting. A translucent textured body along with durable holographic foil creates a visual effect that lakers can’t help but strike. And the best way to do that isn't by reeling up your line or setting with your rod. Here's some important crankbait lessons from the big leagues. Pro Trout & Kokanee Pro Walleye Storage sub-cat-drop-down. I opt for 6 lb test, but 4 lb works as well. So experiment and keep your eyes on your sonar. Our 4″ tube jigs are great for Trout, Burbot, Bass, Lake Trout and so much more. state record rock bass he caught from Port Bay (Lake Ontario), Wayne County on May 24, 2020. Most likely, these movements are in response to changes in the forage fish community. Instead, they glide through the crystal clear water column in small to medium size hunting parties, constantly on the move, scanning a wide periphery in front of them as they track schools of silvery ciscoes, whitefish, smelt, shiners, and perch. If also helps with casting. Read on to learn exactly how to work a jig to catch trout! Good bass fishing can be had using swimbaits, tubes, senkos and other A 3 ½ to 5 ½ inch length is a good choice in most bodies of water. Sometimes I speed troll by dropping my lure to the bottom and briskly walking backward without jigging at all. Ned Kehde breaks down the finer points of the Rabid Baits Goby. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. The bigger tube also pushes more water causing a greater disturbance that the big predatory trout can’t resist. Most anglers assume the trout has missed the lure when, in fact, the fish has brushed against it to see if it's edible. However, don't ignore the Giant Tora Gitzit Tubes during the winter months, especially in lakes with Trout! Subscriber Services. Little is known about the effects of softbait ingestion on bass. When it comes to ice fishing lures for lake trout, variety is key. Find. I believe that anyone can take what I have written here into canoe country and be successful targeting what I feel is the most exciting freshwater game fish. While most anglers are familiar with the ever-popular soft plastic tube jig, fewer are aware that trout can be caught with a wide variety of other lures. The range of walleye hardbaits encompasses multiple categories and a dizzying number of lures. Try tipping your baits with a minnow head. Ashley Lake The whole lake is frozen from the shorelines 5-6in. Today, especially when the trout are on a torrid cisco, smelt, or perch bite, spoons can still be your best choice. An eighth ounce jig head on light line with a tube or minner imitator is a good choice.. Color sometimes makes a difference. - Matt Straw. Baitcast reels offer a wider range of gear ratios than … That means you need to be a line watcher. They behave a little differently than other species commonly targeted on the ice and tend to hang out deeper in the water column than pike, walleye, or perch. Aron Kastern on Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin where they go after whitefish on ice. Everything arrived today way ahead of time. While most anglers concentrate on the top, tip, and sides of points, experienced cold hands select the inside turn every time. It’s soft ribbed body and thin, pancake-shaped tail creates frantic vibrations that work well at any speed. That fish thing, I've no clue. When a fish appears on sonar adjacent to the jig, I barely nod the rod tip. Biologists and fisheries researchers who follow radio-tagged fish have repeatedly noticed a reluctance to move up and over obstacles. That maximizes the death-defying downward oval spiral that makes the tube jig so deadly. Your email address will not be published. sizes are available, with the larger size being well suited to targeting most lake trout. Slip the back treble off the O-ring of a Mepps, Williams, or similar spoon, and then nick the belly of the minnow with one of the hook points. Lake Trout Ice Fishing Lures. But the 575 won’t hold up to Steelhead. Trolling through the ice often is the most potent jigging motion you can employ. Now, here's where the trolling comes in. Rigged Lake Trout Tubes. The white tube jig is on the right track but might be a little small (can't tell from your pic). 4. Expect to catch a trout anytime you're trolling under the ice. It's yellow perch. Some say it's "reinventing the tube jig". The best thing that you should consider in catching any elusive lake trouts is to use the best lake trout lures that skilled anglers always put in their fishing tackles. 01-20-2021, 07:46 PM . When trout are running ten pounds and smaller in popular waters under pressured conditions and in tough-bite situations, few lures are the equal of the Jigging Rapala. Those rod-snatching bulldogging lake trout are among the easiest fish to catch through ice fishing lake trout. Rigged with extra strong and super sharp premium black nickel hooks, and has a trebl Crappie are fair on minnows and tube jigs on brush piles and timber near a drop off in 14-24’. So while lake trout will run a herd of cisco or smelt into the tip of a point, they create a hysterical feeding maelstrom when they coral a school into the rocky dead-end snare of an inside turn. I learned this trick thirty years ago from an old-time Grizzly Adams Lake Simcoe trout guide, and it's been a winter secret ever since. Also, by incorporating a larger, denser head, I can get a much better glide on the drop. He overtied long, silky white marabou with peacock herl, flashabou, crystal flash, and other ingredients to create the best baitfish imitator I've ever seen in a jig. Or, maybe it was merely the audible buzz … But not always. One of the keys though is making sure after you tie on your tube or jig that it glides forward and not spiral, a key element in catching lake trout. The key with all these lures is to let them spiral naturally, yet to be in control. The kind of jig or lure you use while lake trout ice fishing can make or break your fishing trip. For many anglers, this type of fishing is also synonymous with trolling, whether it be a fast troll with a spoon or a slow troll with a jig. All of these are also excellent for Salt Water Bottom fishing especially Halibut. Eventually—and quite suddenly—you’ll see a lake trout zoom onto the screen, chasing after the lure. Rigged this way, your spoon maintains it's brilliant flash and fluttering action, while the minnow provides added visual attraction, natural scent, taste, and smell. From classics like the Marabou Jig to new innovations like the Stand-Up Shaky Head Jig, with VMC you’re guaranteed to put more fish in the boat. It's by doing both simultaneously as you run backward away from the hole. So now that we know that lake trout feed on fish species, not unlike themselves it gives us a good idea of what type of lures and live bait will work. Troll minnow baits and standard trout fare below downriggers or lead core for the best success. Some of the more popular lake trout baits include tube baits, Swedish pimples and airplane jigs, but you should also carry some swimming baits like the Jigging Rapala. And not a single lake trout in the North Country can pull the minnow off your spoon without getting hooked. 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