Advice for 2nd time ice fishing

Hello Everyone,

I will going this weekend to do some ice fishing on lake simcoe for my 2nd time ever (first time this year). I would say i am capable angler throughout the rest of year but I haven't done much ice fishing. I have booked an ice with my dad for this Sunday on the deep water, they say about 70-100ft. I dont have experience on lake simcoe, i have been going through the forum and YouTube and whatever else resources i can find. But sometimes asking is best.

Does anyone have any advice they can pass my way to hopefully land some fish? Its looking like we will be targeting mostly whitefish, im not sure if there is a lot of overlap with lakers but maybe we can get lucky.

I do have a pretty complete tackle box and ice fishing rods, but don't have a fish finder and am not too confident on which baits work when.

When I was talking with the folks from the hut rental, they recommended using a spreader with some minnows for best chance. But i feel like getting a rod in hand and jigging provides a little more excitement.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!


Tight lines and stay safe!

This post has been edited by sirmahov on Feb 18, 2022 - 04:56 pm

There are way more qualified people on this site than me to help you. Since you asked and you do not have electronics, fishing with a tip up and spreader may be the way to go. Easy to watch for a bite. In response to jigging depending on what your using the drift may just come around and tangle your lines. It can be done just be careful. Invest in some electronics for next time. Have fun!

Go to YouTube


Been twice this year, skunked both times.
If the fish aren't there nothing will get you a one..
Goodluck on Saturday.

This post has been edited by backwoodsmanbob on Feb 18, 2022 - 08:10 pm

Study, practice, time on the water, miles on the legs, and repeat until you achieve the correct outcome...lol meegs for me! Oh ya and luck. Good luck! don't forget to report back.

If you are going to jig Whitefish make sure you have some vibratos.

Arnie

shad raps, slab raps with minnow head on treble may work.. I agree with boredom using only set line with spreader.... but it works. and yes good chance of tangle if doing both... However, IMO it's worth it. Just cut your line and retie.. saves on the frustration

I'm also part of the skunked crew like the rest that commented up above 0 for 3 this year to be exact. But I do usually catch them.
I cant catch a whitefish on a rod, Jig..... to save my life. Tip ups are always the key for me.

I would recommend setting a tip up with spreader on the bottom with a single hook 2 feet up from bottom while u Jig a vibrato or something like that in your other hole.

I never catch anything while jigging but I do notice that when I'm jigging it brings in the fish.


Good luck. Can't wait to see the pics

Vibratos, meegs and ned head goby soft baits. Now watch all the youtube videos you can as you will learn the most here and duplicate these techniques.Good luck