Page 8 - ODUNovAndDec2018

I'm Tip-Up fishing, I will use either my HT Enterprise's Polar Tip up or Predator Thermal Tip-Up spooled

with 12-pound ice braid and a Snyders Lures "Willow Daddy" spoon tipped with a Fathead or small
Sucker minnow. All of these combinations are relatively inexpensive, and you can use them for just
about every species that swims under the ice.

If you have an underwater camera, I highly recommend using it, and here are a few reasons why. You
can identify areas that will hold Bass. There is nothing more frustrating than drilling a bunch of holes
only to find out that there is no structure, the weeds are dead, and the area is void of life. Remember,
healthy weeds or structure equals baitfish which equals the predators that eat them. Another reason for

using a camera is you can identify the species you desire quicker which gives you more time to fish. I
have drilled a hundred holes, used my flasher to find fish, set up my fish house and started fishing only
to find out the species I thought I was fishing for and marked so heavily on my flasher was nowhere to
be found! I wasted precious ice time when all I had to do is drop my camera down the hole to see if the
Bass were down there.

If I'm fishing in my portable house, I will add a slip bobber to one combo, dead stick it, and jig in another
hole. I find that Bass often show up in pairs or in small schools when they are cruising for food so why
not offer them a little more to get them to bite. Jigging often brings them in and the allure of a slow-
moving minnow suspended in the next hole is often enough to trigger a bite. I often have to "Double
hook set" as both combos simultaneously
get bites. If I'm setting Tip-Ups I use the
same areas where Bass will frequent, and I
set them to the "Soft Strike" setting on the

spool shaft. Bass like to suck in or inhale
their meal unlike pike which will
aggressively try and dismantle their meal
upon a strike. Setting your Tip- Ups correctly
will help land more fish in general,
especially Bass.

The next time you are a on the ice and the
species you are targeting isn't cooperating
consider the Largemouth Bass. Cold water
Bass make an excellent meal and a worthy
catch and release opponent. I guarantee
you will enjoy catching them as much as I
do.

Sources: HT Enterprise www.icefish.com,
Snyders Lures www.snyderslures.com

Captain Brian Koshenina is a professional
fishing guide, Maritime Captain,Outdoor
writer, speaker, mentor, volunteer,
sales rep and Pro Staff member

www.muskiesandmore.com.