Like most anglers, I’m at all times on the lookout for methods to extend the standard and amount of the fish I catch—a greater hook, a brand new location, a spot inside a spot or, generally, a brand new lure. Lures that revolutionize fishing are comparatively uncommon. A couple of minutes on the web produced the Unique Creme Wiggler, Floating Rapala, Lunker Metropolis Slug-Go, Buel Spoon, Senko, Mepps Aglia, Rapala Jigging Rap, and Ned Rig as game-changers, however I don’t assume I might get many arguments about including hair jigs to that illustrious record. Like many from the stock above, ice fishing with hair jigs, whereas revolutionary, is definitely not new.
The preliminary marabou jig was created by Invoice Ward in 1957, and the primary commercially produced bucktail jigs caught fish so effectively they have been customary subject in U.S. Navy pilots’ survival kits throughout World Conflict II.
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Hair Jigs: Background Data
Whereas utilizing hair jigs for panfish can also be not new, it has definitely risen in reputation with ice anglers during the last decade. However, like so many ice-fishing-related improvements, it looks like most Northeast anglers are about 10 years behind their Midwest counterparts (assume electronics, cordless drill augers, jigging as an alternative of setting tip-ups, and so forth.).
Entrenched in my thoughts is a well-worn InFisherman article from years in the past that mentioned the advantages of utilizing hair jigs whereas fishing for Midwestern panfish by way of the ice. The article showcased a Daphnia (a big and customary sort of zooplankton) imitation from Jeff’s Jigs and Flies referred to as the Zoo Bug. At present, comparable hair jigs can be found from a variety of small and enormous producers.
What Panfish Eat within the Winter
- Zooplankton
- Aquatic Bugs
Whereas panfish definitely feed on minnows, many research I learn indicated nearly all of their diets include zooplankton and aquatic bugs. One examine taking a look at crappies confirmed that their meals consumption throughout winter consisted of as much as 95 % Daphnia zooplankton. So, why wouldn’t a small fly meant to mimic these prey sources work?
Final fall, I began my analysis, first on-line after which on the ice, utilizing solely hair jigs on each panfish journey. Whereas I went down just a few rabbit holes, the top outcomes have been satisfying, to say the least.
Ice Fishing Gear (Rods & Reels)
I used spinning reels solely when fishing hair jigs, however straight-line reels additionally work very effectively. To alleviate line twists, which is able to give the jig an unnatural look and switch fish off, I used tender superlines, a small Spro barrel swivel, and some ft of high quality fluorocarbon chief. I had good success with Energy Professional Ice Tec and Berkley Fireline Micro Ice Crystal superlines in 2- to 5-pound take a look at, and I used fluorocarbon leaders that have been 4-pound take a look at or much less. It helps to stretch out your chief when you begin getting twists.
Once I began on the lookout for jig rods, I wished a brief, gentle one with quick motion and a really tender tip that also had sufficient spine for good hookups and preventing greater crappies. I discovered 24- and 26- inch ultralight Sienna and Convergence jig rods paired with dimension 500 Sienna and Sahara spinning reels to be the proper combos for fishing these jigs. The same Jason Mitchell Meat Stick from Clam additionally labored effectively, though I swapped out the reel that got here with it for a lighter mannequin.
Hair Jig Choices
In terms of the precise hair jigs, there are many choices, and one of many enjoyable issues is that you just, or somebody who ties flies, could make jigs to satisfy your choice or the forage within the waters you fish. However, let’s begin with what is out there from shops and on-line.
Whereas there are a selection of selections, I used jigs from two corporations:
For many of my fishing in lower than 20 ft of water, I relied on 1/32-ounce and smaller jigs. I do know this appears actually small, however most zooplankton are microscopic, and aquatic bugs are small as effectively. The VMCs include 90-degree hook eyes whereas the JaJe hooks trip at a 30-degree angle.
Learn how to Tie a Hair Jig
I used to be fortunate final fall to have a brand new co-worker, Nick Popoff, who’s an skilled fly tyer. Once I confirmed him some hair jigs I had ordered, he mentioned, “I could make one thing like that. Simply let me know what patterns and colours you need.”
My textual content to him that night time was comparatively easy. Based mostly on my analysis and data of space waters, I figured 4 primary patterns ought to cowl any given day on the ice.
A enjoyable and thrilling a part of making your personal jigs (or having them made for you by a buddy) is that over the course of a winter, fishing at completely different depths, for various species, and below completely different climate circumstances, you possibly can fine-tune the colours, types, and sizes that work finest.
Hair Jig Variations
Here’s a record of some primary fly-tying gadgets to create many variations of your personal hair jigs, together with some primary ideas.
- Thread: 6/0 or 3/0 of the popular coloration
- Micro silicone legs for rubber tails & head
- Calf tail for tail and head on sure jigs
- Ice dubbing for behind beads
- Mono eyes or small plastic bead chain eyes
- Hareline Countersunk, Plummeting, or Mottled Tactical Slotted tungsten beads (I fished 7/32 inch dimension, however experiment with completely different sizes)
- Ahrex Fw550 Mini Jig Barbed hook, Kona USP Scud/Shrimp/Pupa hook, Ahrex Fw540
- Curved nymph hook barbed (I fished dimension 14, however experiment with different sizes)
- Partridge for hackle head behind bead. Use backside of the feather to get the marabou impact and do 1 to 2 wraps of it
- For bloodworms, use “squiggly worm/ blood worm rubber” threaded by way of the bead which requires some endurance, or Hareline Frizzle Chenille
- All the time put a few drops of head cement to lock beads and eyes in place
- I ordered the tungsten beads, hooks, and chenille from Trident Fly Fishing of Windham, Maine
Prepared-to-Fish Hair Jigs
Along with tying your personal hair jigs, it’s price stocking up on some pre-tied, store-bought variations.
Tipping hair jigs like these with waxworms is a well-liked tactic that helps to coax panfish into biting, however I’ve come favor to utilizing tender plastics instead of stay bait.
Tipping a Hair Jig with Mushy Plastics
Over a few years of panfishing, I’ve tried to maneuver away from utilizing spikes/maggots on my tungsten jigs to tipping them with plastics solely. Nevertheless, most of the time, I discovered myself counting on that stay bait when the chew was gradual or the fish have been finicky. This all modified when utilizing solely hair jigs final winter. Whereas I did typically tip mine with plastic, I didn’t use spikes/maggots a single time, but I simply caught as many fish as my companions.
In the event you do select to tip your hair jig with plastics, some nice selections embody J and S Ice Mite Junior and Jr’s Jig Tails, Clam’s Maki Plastics, Little Atom Wedgees, Customized Jigs and Spins Wedgie, Northlands Impulse Bloodworms and Water Fleas, and Set off X Mustache Worms (if you could find them).
Hair Jig Strategies
- Delicate twitches
- Gradual sink or rise, and one other pause
- Random jigs actions make your jig behave like an aquatic insect
Hair jigs fish calmly and drop slowly, which is a part of what makes them so lethal on panfish. Moreover intently imitating prey, their gradual fall is the alternative of what most panfish see as of late, given the recognition of tungsten jigs. This attribute makes them nice for selecting off large panfish in shallow water and could be the important thing to catching finicky or closely pressured fish. Nevertheless, this additionally means it is best to fastidiously assemble your sort out to accommodate the gradual drop, be affected person when letting out line, and rethink your jigging method.
One of the best sort out, line, and hair jigs gained’t do a lot good in case you are fishing them flawed, like I did so a few years in the past. Keep in mind, you are attempting to copy the actions of tiny plankton and bugs. Get the usual jig-jig-jig-pause or fixed rod tip motion out of your head as a result of zooplankton don’t constantly swim. Suppose delicate twitches, no motion, a gradual sink or rise, and one other pause. Random jig actions and pauses will make your jig behave like an aquatic insect. I extremely advocate watching movies on-line to see zooplankton and aquatic bugs in motion.
Jigging Ideas
In the event you don’t see fish in your finder, pound the underside with a heavy jig to fire up the sediment after which observe up with a hair jig. Strive various depths, and if you see fish in your finder, preserve the jig above them and make them commit. Usually, as soon as a fish rises as much as examine your jig, others will observe, and their aggressive nature will get the higher of them.
The pure supplies on a hair jig decrease the necessity for angler-induced actions. Deadstick once in a while and let the fly’s pure supplies do the work. Any slight little bit of present, wind in your rod tip, or tremble of your hand will make the jig work its magic and entice panfish to chew.
Lastly, don’t lie your hair jig down as a result of the fabric will shortly keep on with ice and snow, destroying it.
Tie your personal or purchase some, however both method, attempt ice fishing with hair jigs this winter in your favourite panfish water. The possibilities are good that you’ll enhance your catch charges and the standard of the fish you ice.
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