Have you ever gone out ice fishing in or around a group of guys to see one guy pulling up fish after fish while everyone else struggles to get a bite? If you watch closely most guys are hanging around watching the show like they’re watching a production.Â

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 Don’t’ get me wrong there are a good number of anglers that can’t stand it and try everything their experience tells them to try until they have nothing left. The balance are people that just don’t have the experience to know that every little think can make a difference.  Â

In my opinion ice fishing more than any other time of the year the key is finesse. What other time of the year do fish get a chance to stare at you’re bait for long periods of time with out any interruption.

A couple of week ago I was fishing Muskegon Lake for Bluegills  and had it going on. Not only was I catching fish the size of the fisher were significantly larger than most others had. Even though I look for any attention I can get as a Fishing guide it can be a bit awkward.  I would love to tell the guy next to me exactly what to do but I had to come off as boasting.

   I can tell the people around me were frustrated . I thought to myself why are these guys just  keep doing the same thing if it’s not working. Even though I knew it all along it really hit me. These guys just don’t realize how many things they can do to try and get these fish to bite.

For me one key was my Vexilar. The second thing was  the fishing rod I was using.  With my flasher I knew when I had my bait close to a fish and how it responded to my presentation.

With my longer 51 inch rod I couldn’t  keep a jigging pattern consistent so I switched to my 30  inch.  The longer rod had to much swaying movement. Sustaining the jigging pattern that they liked and not breaking it  was key.

 As a serious fisherman I don’t know of anything that gives you a better feeling than knowing you got the bite figured out. I knew my program was working but it wasn’t until my brother in-law came up to me to ask what I was doing that it became hardwired into my bag of tricks .

I had been under dressed that day . I had a shiver on and off the whole time I was there. The longer rod really pronounced my shiver and lake of stability. As I began to explain along with show  him what the pattern was I couldn’t hold the shiver back. As I talked though my presentation I couldn’t catch a fish and I knew what was wrong.

 I couldn’t control my jig. He often makes fun of my theories and this was no exception so the pressure was on. That was until I held my pole against my knee for stability. As soon as knew I was under control again I said “watch this”. I pulled four nice gills out as fast as I could go through the motions of un-hooking them.

 Many things plaid a factor that day even the fish made me look good. When it comes down to it it’s never just one thing. And it’s never as easy as someone puts on paper.

However from my experience jigging patterns are always one variable that makes a difference when ice fishing. Sometimes it’s as easy as jig or not jig and sometimes it’s not.

The picture above shows the flies I used that day. I made by myself. They dont’ work all of the time nor do they work eveyrwhere. They sure shine on Muskegon lake on  specific days.