See the bite
See the bite!
By Mike Frisch
One of the advantages of ice fishing over open-water fishing is that bites from fish can often be “seen” better in winter than in summer! What I mean is that, since anglers fish vertically right below where they sit and on stationary platforms, monitoring baits being fished and detecting bites can be much easier. Not only does this aid in bite detection, and hopefully hooking percentage, but it is also a very enjoyable part of ice fishing. One simple device that can make bite detection even more effective is a spring bobber.
Some anglers prefer to “sight fish” where they actually look into clear water, particularly when fishing shallow water and during the day. Other anglers rely on underwater cameras, which also shine in clear water and during daytime. Most winter anglers, however, use a flasher sonar unit like a Vexilar. Flashers don’t show the actual bait and fish, but they do show “marks” on the sonar screen that represent an angler’s bait, any fish around it, and also show a mark that represents the lake bottom.
Being able to see these things not only aids in bait placement as it relates to where the fish are in the water column, but also helps an angler monitor a fish’s response to the jigging motions the angler is using. While it’s impossible to actually see the fish take the lure, sonar is very beneficial in helping anticipate bites as well.
When a fish does approach and take a lure, what then becomes important is the angler’s detection of that bite and his or her response to it. When fishing bigger lures like jigging spoons for walleyes, a sensitive, fast-action rod in a medium or medium light power is often effective for bite detection. This set-up fishes much like an open-water angler would use a “long rod” with the same characteristics to vertically jig with a jig and minnow combination. The angler mostly relies on feel to determine when a fish hits the lure and when to set the hook.
When fishing smaller, lighter baits, however, is when the venerable spring bobber, around for many years, is still very effective. The spring bobber is basically a sensitive spring extending from the rod tip that the line threads through. Some spring bobbers are actually coiled springs, while others are a single wire tip extending to the last rod guide.
Regardless the style used, when a fish bites (even the lightest of bites) the spring will bend to the bait “showing” the bite. Since panfish often “feed up” as well, some bites are seen by the spring straightening up as the fish moves up with the bait. In either case, this is a very effective way to fish light jigs, particularly for finicky-biting panfish like crappies and bluegills, and still be able to determine when a fish hits and when it’s time to set the hook!
Recently, I started fishing the Clam Matt Johnson Panfish rod with my light panfish lures. This rod has a very sensitive spring bobber tip and is made with top components like a graphite blank and premium guides. This rod is great for bite detection and does an excellent job of helping me fight and land hard-fighting panfish.
If fighting more panfish is your goal this winter, then consider using a spring bobber. Spring bobbers enable you to fish light jigs, see the fish bite, and hopefully lead to more hooked fish. Good luck on the water and, as always, remember to include a youngster in your next outdoors adventure!
Mike Frisch hosts the popular Fishing the Midwest TV series. Visit www.fishingthemidwest.com to see more from Fishing the Midwest.