A Case For Bigger Ice Lures

Most bigger baits are heavier so it’s critical to use the right rod and reel combo and heavier line to balance the weight of the bait. For walleyes, pike, and trout, I use a Thorne Brothers 32- to 42-inch S-glass rod teamed with either a Pflueger Solara (#4735) or a Mitchell 300X spinning reel. The combo is more than capable of handling larger baits, and the reels can comfortably hold 8- to 12-pound-test mono. Heavier line supports the weight of the bait and prevents line breaks and slows the fall of most baits, which can be critical for triggering strikes.

Heavier lures matched with the proper rod and reel combo are easier to fish than lighter baits; it’s easy to stay in contact with the bait. Admittedly, the first time I held a Nils Master Jigging Shad in my hand, I thought that it might be too heavy. But after using it, I found that the weight of the bait kept my line taunt enough to stay in contact with the lure all the time, which also makes detecting light bites easier.

Modifying Big Baits

There are two primary problems with using big baits. One is that most tackle companies equip the lures with hooks that are too large. Fish, particularly small fish, don’t get the hooks in their mouths when they strike. Replacing larger hooks on larger flash lures can increase your hooking percentage. A 21⁄2- to 31⁄2-inch flash lure that comes with a #4 treble should be outfitted with a #6 or #8 treble.

In hand, the bait and smaller hooks look somewhat disproportionate, but they work. The key is to make sure enough hook gap is exposed to still get a good hookset. On most swimming lures, replacing trebles with a smaller hook doesn’t work because the belly of the bait narrows the hook gap and you can’t get a good hookset on the treble hook.

Using a larger lure to attract fish and a smaller offering to trigger strikes is a deadly combo. Commonly referred to as search lures, this dropper rig incorporates the attracting qualities of a flash lure or swimming lure with the triggering qualities of a smaller bait. For years, the system has worked for perch and other panfish, but giving predator fish the drop works too.

The problem always has been finding a dropper strong enough to support the weight of heavier fish and still be equipped with an appropriately sized hook. This season, Nils Master and Northland are offering lures rigged with a dropper, and droppers that can be added to your favorite lure.

Northland’s 2-inch single-hook (#4) droppers feature Berkley XT 14-pound-test line and a quick-snap for attaching the dropper to your favorite lures. Nils Master now offers three different lengths in Hali Snap Chains, which feature two quick-clips, one that attaches to your lure and one to hold a single or treble hook. They also offer a Snap Chain equipped with new Clourhooks that feature a glow eye bead in the center of the treble, designed to attract and trigger strikes on the dangling treble.