Rapala ice jig

[Guest]

After seeing all those massive schools of open water shad, I decided to order a few of the 1/2 & 3/4 oz Rapala ice jigs in white.

Have any of you spoon droppers ever used these little unorthodox baits?

I'm trying to add to my open water wintertime arsenal.

I've got a few fish heads spins that I'm eager to try out this winter too. 

[Bass Enforcer]

Yes I caught quite a few on it this past weekend. White and chartreuse 5/8oz.  

[Guest]

I saw tons a schools of fish at 15-20ft down in open water over the river channel at beaver. I'm looking for something to compliment the jigging spoon & drop shot.

Anybody still using a little George?

[rps]

Cut the two fixed hooks on each end off and fish it with only the single treble hook. Use a less aggressive pop up with the rod -> you want it to jump up about a foot and then glide back down in a large circle. I have read of anglers who bait the treble hook with a small minnow for extra appeal.

[dtrs5kprs]

11 hours ago, TrophyFishR said:

I saw tons a schools of fish at 15-20ft down in open water over the river channel at beaver. I'm looking for something to compliment the jigging spoon & drop shot.

Anybody still using a little George?

Yes, or at least a tailspinner. School fish, swimming thru suspended fish like a grub, slow rolling gravel flats and roll offs. 

Don't overwork the ice jigs. They kind of do their own thing.

[dan hufferd]

I have done well with a small but heavy lipless crank bait and the jigging rap as well. I agree with cutting the hooks off at least the front one one the jigging rap, if it ever hangs on anything you will not get it back. I lost 2 in 10 min last weekend @ $ 7 each that hurts. I have some Shiver Minnows coming soon, they do not have a front hook, and they seem to be a larger profile for the weight.

I like to try to be around 1/2 oz on any of that kind of stuff. It is my favorite way to fish, but you have to be on some fish or you will just jig your arm off, it is fairly hard on the an old shoulder. 

Caught the last couple walleye this way over 45 FOW suspended @ 30 feet. Really fun !  

[dan hufferd]

16 hours ago, TrophyFishR said:

I saw tons a schools of fish at 15-20ft down in open water over the river channel at beaver. I'm looking for something to compliment the jigging spoon & drop shot.

Anybody still using a little George?

I have always seen those bait fish there and a ton of gar it is awesome bow fishing !

[dtrs5kprs]

Good old white hair jig is worth a look too. About 3/8oz with a white curl tail trailer.

[Guest]

I've got a few bite me ball heads that could use a rabbit fur coat. I haven't fished like this in a long time, but it seems like this bite is setting up. That pole timber & isolated cedar on the bluff ends should be loaded up. 

[Bill Babler]

That bait has been used here with fantastic success since I can remember, and that's a long time.  They would not touch it yesterday, but for me they would hardly touch anything.  We only had about a dozen.  Saving grace is we had two very quality 3 pound LM.  Day before it was ON!

On another note, be careful with that little bait.  Those hooks are razor sharp.  Unlike RPS, I really like the end hooks.  They are mean and nasty