I am about to embark on my first ice fishing journey and I will be primarily targeting crappie on a local lake. I think I will be hand jigging one rod but I want to set up two more on some kind of rig. I have seen tip downs and auto fisherman(automatic hook setting device) and I was wondering which is preferred for live baiting crappie?
Thanks
Where are you located? I believe automatic hook setting devices (ie, Jawjackers) are illegal in Minnesota.
yes, Automatic style hook setting devices are not legal in MN
SE wisconsin
Not sure what your long term plans are, but if this is your first ice fishing adventure, I’d keep it simple. If you’re going to be watching electronics while jigging, watch your jig and how fish react to it. If you’re feeling ambitious, run a hole next to your jig hole with a dead stick (slip ice bobber and minnow) and let the fish tell you what they want. If you walk away loving the sport then start thinking about the other methods you mentioned.
Tip down gets my vote
With 3 I’d have your jigging rod with a small spoon or tungsten. Tip with a wax or or minnow head. You’ll see how they react and dial that in. Then set a dead stick and tip down at different depths.
Likely the crappies are suspended so the higher in the water column will be your aggressive fish. Set you live bait rigs at the upper and lower and and see what they hit.
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