“Right here he comes!” shouted Rob Taylor, eyes fastened on the Humminbird fishfinder. Certain sufficient, there was a crimson blotch ascending the water column towards a smaller, fainter mark. When the 2 collided, the rod tip twitched and Rob instructed his nephew, “Set!” When he did, the 27-inch ice rod bucked as Aaron labored one other stunning smallmouth bass to the opening. By the tip of the day, Aaron, Rob and I, together with two different anglers, had caught almost three dozen smallies by working submerged factors and humps scattered round a southern Maine lake. It was a banner day of ice fishing for smallmouth bass.
Causes to Go Ice Fishing for Smallmouth
Whereas Esox fans and laker-takers may object, I believe smallmouth bass are our best hardwater goal within the Northeast. They faculty up, strike jigs, and can be found in a lot of water our bodies within the Northeast, a few of that are sufficiently small to lock up even throughout these gentle winters we’ve been having recently.
I’d by no means thought a lot about smallmouth as an ice-fishing goal, although they had been often the final open-water species I’d chase every season. I’d catch them over offshore humps and bumps till ice-in, and after ice-out, I’d discover them in nearly the identical locations. For no matter motive, it by no means occurred to me that even when the lakes locked up, these smallies can be in the identical locations and keen to take related displays.
However that notion didn’t slip by Rob Taylor, who launched me to hardwater smallies on a central Massachusetts pond in 2018. Every fish we hooked fought arduous and one even thumped the underside of the ice in an ill-advised try at a type of basic smallmouth jumps.
(Be aware: On The Water is reader-supported. Whenever you purchase by hyperlinks on our website, we could earn an affiliate fee.)
Tips on how to Catch Smallies on Ice
Whether or not it’s an older mannequin flasher or the newest live-imaging sonar, electronics are your eyes beneath the ice. You’ll want them to verify the depth and construction, decipher the temper of the fish, and within the case of the live-imaging sonar, inform you the place to drill the following holes.
However earlier than the electronics may also help you, you want a place to begin for the place to drill your first gap. That requires at the very least a fundamental understanding of the lake’s construction, both from open-water expertise or an obtainable chart. When ice fishing for smallmouth, focus efforts on offshore construction, like underwater factors, ledges, or, boulder-covered humps. They congregate in these areas in large numbers, so once you discover one, you’ve usually discovered a bunch. Whereas they are often discovered shallower or deeper, relying on the lake you’re fishing, construction in 30 to 45 toes is an efficient place to begin.
When you’ve discovered the construction, dial within the presentation. On the most effective days—just like the one with Adam and Rob—smallmouth will rise off the underside and meet your providing because it falls. On others, coaxing them off the underside can really feel like pulling enamel.
Customary open-water displays for cold-water smallies can work, like bladebaits, Ned rigs, and dropshot rigs, however fishing from a hard and fast place on the ice permits anglers to current finesse choices that may be troublesome to fish effectively in open water. One among Rob’s favorites is the Acme Hyper Glide, which has wings that open because the lure falls, inflicting it to glide and “hunt.”
The benefit of this lure is the power to subtly jig it simply sufficient for the wings to open and shut, like a baitfish finning in place. This small, lifelike motion helps seal the deal on torpid smallies inspecting the bait. Stay smelt or shiners despatched to the underside may also catch, however don’t be shocked if lures out-fish the true factor on some days.
A medium- to medium-light rod of 24 to twenty-eight inches with a delicate tip helps with the refined jigging motions wanted to idiot finicky fish, and inline reels assist forestall line twist, conserving the lure nonetheless, not spinning, through the all-important pauses.
Regardless of the goal species, make sure that the ice you’re fishing on is strong and at the very least 4 inches thick. Deliver a rope, spikes (worn across the neck), and a buddy.
Associated Content material
Ice Fishing Ideas for Inexperienced persons
10 Necessary Ice Fishing Security Ideas
Ice Fishing with Hair Jigs for Panfish
WATCH: Ice Fishing for Lake Trout | Sebago Lake, Maine | S19 E02
