Ice Fishing Lures

Choose the right ice fishing lure, or more accurately, ice fishing bait, for your needs

The vertical jig is perhaps the most commonly used ice fishing lure, which, as the name suggests, is vertical. The vertical jig is considered the easiest and most reliable way to start ice fishing. The hook on the jig can be equipped with maggots or bloodworms. Additionally, you can attach a mormyshka or a colored hook to the end of the line (or leader) behind the vertical jig.

Vertical jigs come in various sizes, shapes, weights, and colors. The purpose of the vertical jig is to attract fish with its color and swimming motion. Vertical jigs are used near the bottom. The jig is vibrated with small movements or occasionally lifted more briskly, depending on the swimming motion of the jig. The swimming motion of the vertical jig is influenced by its shape. If possible, test the swimming motion of different vertical jig models in the store before making a purchase decision. A regular ice fishing rod or a fork rod is suitable for vertical jigging. For the line, 0.18-0.22 mm is recommended, and it is good to have about 25 m of it on the reel.

The balance jig is the best choice for ice fishing for large perch, zander, and pike. The technique for using a balance jig differs significantly from that of a vertical jig. Fishing can start immediately under the ice. The balance jig is jerked into motion with a brisk wrist movement, causing the fish-imitating lure to make a figure-eight motion. When the motion stops and the line returns to the center, the jerk is repeated. If it seems that there are no fish, it is worth lowering the balance jig about half a meter and trying if the fish bite better from there. This is repeated all the way to the bottom.

When ice fishing with a balance jig, the rod can be the same as for a vertical jig, but the tip should preferably be somewhat stiff. The line should be thick, starting from 0.18 mm. It is advisable to tie a leader to the main line. The leader can be braided line and 20-50 cm in length. It is good to tie a swivel between the main line and the leader to prevent the line from twisting, as the balance jig makes its motion always in the same direction.

The mormyshka, or more commonly in Finnish, "morri," is an almost certain way to catch fish, and it is worth offering the morri when the fish are not biting well. The mormyshka is a small hook resembling a flea, which is gently jigged continuously while lifting it from the bottom. When it hits the right spot, the small bouncing of the mormyshka can provide a stimulus for fish that are feeding poorly. The morri is tied directly to the line coming from the reel. Alternatively, a fly lock can be tied to the line to facilitate changing the mormyshka.

Depending on the weight of the mormyshka, the line should be thin, about 0.10-0.16 mm. Thick line hinders the swimming of the morri and easily bends. Also, fish bites are easily unnoticed with thick line. A small reel that fits in the palm of your hand is used as the rod, and it can have a film tip to detect possible small bites. Maggots or bloodworms can be used as bait.

Order all your ice fishing gear from Ruoto

In addition to ice fishing lures, essential equipment for an ice fisher includes a fishing bucket or backpack chair. An ice fishing backpack conveniently carries not only lures and baits but also snacks and other equipment, such as warm spare gloves. Choose an ice auger based on the fish species you are targeting. For beginners, a 5" auger is an excellent choice. With an auger of this size, you can also use slightly larger balance jigs, and you don't have to constantly worry about the fish coming off when the hook hits the edge of the hole. Always remember to bring ice picks with you, as they are a cheap life insurance.

Ruoto Oy is Finland's largest fishing and hunting equipment store, where you will also find active enthusiasts of these hobbies behind the counter. You can be sure that the products we sell are of high quality, and you will always receive expert advice, for example, in choosing ice fishing gear. Order all the equipment needed for ice fishing conveniently online, or visit the nearest Ruoto Mega Store to explore the selection in person.