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Sunday, January 26, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





Pandering to panfish &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fast action can keep ice fishermen warm Icefishing is the only form of
fishing in which anglers are usually content to catch smaller fishWatch that
guy with the sled full of gear, or the two young kids sitting atop five-gallon
buckets working the jigging rods. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; When the perch or bluegills are on and rods are bending, anglers will be
smiling. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Anglers sitting over a school of panfish will delight in catching one after
another, even if the perch or bluegills aren't large enough to produce fillets
for the freezer. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's the hot action in the cold weather that counts. When holes are bored
in the right spot, the fishing can be fast and furious. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Trophy hunters may be content to wait for larger gamefish such as bass,
walleye or even pickerel to grab their baits, but most ice anglers are pleased
to catch panfish. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The feisty bluegills, crappies and yellow perch may not put up as much of a
battle as a heavy walleye or largemouth, but the fast, consistent action
usually compensates for what these little teasers lack in size. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 With panfish, non-stop action can be the norm. They are the fish first-time
ice fishing anglers should pursue if they want to keep interest in
cold-weather outings purring in high gear. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The key to getting started in ice fishing is not to become intimidated with
all the gear and the special techniques. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 You have a hole in the ice. That's a given. You have a jigging rod and
maybe a couple tip-ups. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Then comes baits. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Minnows work well with tip-ups, but proper baits are needed to attract
panfish with jigging rods. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Newcomers to warm-weather fishing might rely on the plain old garden worm,
but different enticements are needed when ice covers the water. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Panfish are especially responsive to minnows, mousie grubs and waxworms.
While such baits will even attract the larger gamefish, it's best to use the
smallest minnows for the best panfishing. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The grubs can be used to embellish tiny teardrop jigs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Artificial lures used in ice fishing range in size from 4-inch "naturals"
with the line attachment loop positioned in the middle of the back for jigging
purposes to teeny jigs painted every bright, lively, fluorescent color
imaginable. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 These tiny jigs include smaller versions of the summer standards, the
round-headed bucktails, plastic twister-type tails and jigs tailed with
pulsating marabou that can be used as attractors. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jigs designed especially for ice fishing are best because of their
diminutive size. They include the radiant teardrops with flashy chrome or
copper spinners and wobblers attached. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The color of the jig is important. Drop two jigs of different color down
the same hole over feeding fish and it's likely one color will attract more
attention than the other. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 White seems to be a standard, with shades of yellow and green coming in a
close second. Fluorescent reds and orange colors can also charm panfish --
when they are in the right mood. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As the jigs are rather inexpensive, it's best to carry a selection of
different colors and experiment to determine what color the fish prefer. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Special ice-fishing "flies" are no more than glorified teardrop jigs with a
bit of vivid fur or feathers added for good measure. I have borrowed the
smallest, weighted Hare's Ear nymphs from my fly box and used them with good
results on occasion. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 When pandering to panfish, it's important to remember that they are by
nature a school fish. They prefer the company of their own. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The saying that "fish of similar size school together," has merit, so if at
first you don't find the larger, frying-pan sized fish, try, try again. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And keep drilling new holes and moving your rigs if fish refuse to
cooperate. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fish will usually hold near structure or near the bottom. Jigs will plummet
down deep, but a minnow on the terminal end may choose to swim near the
surface. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Add a split-shot about a foot above the bait to keep minnows from rising
upward. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If action slows down, try stepping up the pace with a jigging rod. If a
short, delicate jigging action fails to find fish, switch to a fast, choppy
wrist motion. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 So what if the panfish are small? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Catching them keeps the warm blood flowing now that ice has formed on lakes
and ponds. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 George Smith is The Times Leader outdoors editor. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pandering To Panfish 
Fast Action Can Keep Ice Fishermen Warm Icefishing Is The Only Form Of Fishing 
In Which Anglers Are Usually Content To Catch Smaller Fish.

Pandering To Panfish Fast Action Can Keep Ice Fishermen Warm Icefishing Is The Only Form Of Fishing In Which Anglers Are Usually Content To Catch Smaller Fish.