Curious to Hear Opinions

First off, I hope everyone has had a gnarly start to the ice fishing season as we are making ice, setting up permanents and driving vehicles out in the “tundra of a winter”.

I’ve been watching the weekly IDO videos on FSN and it has me thinking about multiple variables…

1) How much pressure (barometric) will start to effect the fish when a cold front sweeps in. I know that it’s super relative to lakes and there are many different effects, but what are anglers doing to compensate amongst the general public.

2) Everyone has there “go to bait” and tactics. It’s interesting to see how many people are using different presentations and color combinations; claiming that what they are doing is what’s “hot”. Are we all just comfortable with what we are used to or is there truly some science behind getting the right combination.

3) Depth…. How late is too late to be hanging around 6-10′. I watch anglers spend the majority of the winter up shallow in some bodies of water while others never wet a line above 15′. Again, I know that the body of water has a lot to do with it, but is there a general rule of thumb as to when fish push off to the deeper water columns to sit in the warmer basins?? If so, is it just luck of the draw to find em out there?

4) Clips off spoons. Nearly every spoon has the quick clip in the package to tie off to the line. Summer fishing has me convinced that those things are cursed. What’s your take on tying directly to a VMC Tingler, Slender Spoon or Rattle?? Does it improve the action at all or help create noise; or is it just a way to avoid retying.

Just shooting questions out to the public!! I’ve been curious as to how the minds of anglers mature as they continue to wet lines.

Lets see what you got!!

The split ring on a sweedish pimple is VERY important. If you get hooked up and your tied directly to the spoon it will saw through your line.

Q1

Having just bought two barometers last week, i’ve been watching the barometic pressure closly and am quite surpried at how much it has fluctuated each day the last week.

I’m keeping a fishing journal and now that i have the barometer will start to collect some data to see if there are major impacts.

Just found it interesting, i really never thought the barometer fluctuated too much, but boy, when you watch it frequently, it sure can. Been steady today, steadier than the last week. Hoping for a good bite tonight….Ya just never know.

I’ll skip Question 2,3 because they’re entirely situational and that’s a long discussion with no real answer.

Q4, i like fast snaps. I only tie directly onto small jigs, and that is only when using straight line reels and generally when using a plastic as well.

Keeping a journal of the BPressure is a great idea! I’d like to hear more about how you see it affecting the fish and what species are most affected. If you’re an every day fisherman, that could sure have some impact on your future hookups.

I suppose I’ll start using those fast snaps to avoid donating any spoons! I haven’t had any bad luck thus far, but if it’s not going to affect the bite, I’m all in.

Pimples are thick though, with sharp edges. Other spoons may not be the same.

The VMC tingler and Tumbler fish well with a quick snap as it allows the spoon to “do the dance” a little better in my opinion. I fish them usually with a lighter test of the Ice Magic in 4lb test being my preferred leader material. If I am targeting walleyes. Ill still use a snap but leader is usaall 8lb floro. – QB

Thanks bud; I appreciate the info.

So what about leaders…. Having a swivel tied off to a leader and to a quick snap…. more potential for break offs?

I have never used leaders, so when I’m fishing with light line I just throw more on the spool. Concerns??

What are you fishing for that you need a leader?

On those snaps, I can’t imagine they would put a fish off. They are staring down a metal spoon, I don’t think a metal snap is going to make them think twice.

I’m not a fan of leaders. I’d rather just tie directly to light line and fill up the spool with it

I have a vision issue, so I use colored line icing. Small barrel swivel to a floro leader. Use duolock snaps for spoons, Raps, etc. Does create 2 more knots, always a chance for failure. Direct tie to small jigs. Take my time in my shop, tie palomor knots. Haven’t had failure problems on the snaps or knots, always do a re-tie before next trip, carry extra rods when concerned about line fraying after playing fish, which eliminates trying to re tie on ice. Walleyes are my biggest quarry.