Tungsten variety (what gives?)

Maybe I am missing something, maybe I am just weird when it comes to ice fishing, but this tungsten variety in the ice market is really frustrating.

Why are 90% of the tungsten jigs horizontal in orientation? Is it difficult to mold into a vertical orientation? Is it due to the fall rate or something?

As I see it I’ve found a grand total of about 5 different tungsten offerings that sit vertically as a jig (I’m not talking spoons). I have used the half ant and maggot drop from clam, a couple others from fiska I believe but that’s about the extent of it. With VMC, Northland, and other major brands, none of them offer a vertical presentation ice jig. Again 90% of the tungsten jigs are just the same ol’ version of a boring ball with a hook attached. In my experience the horizontal presentations on the lakes I fish pale in comparison to a good vertical panfish jig. Any insight folks?

icefanatic11 wrote:

In my experience the horizontal presentations on the lakes I fish pale in comparison to a good vertical panfish jig.

I can’t respond to the tungsten jig question but I must be missing something. 90% of the time I’ll be using a horizontal presentation.

What are you fishing for? Live bait or plastics? Crappies, gills, perch? Alot will probably depend on the mood of the fish and how aggressive they are…i think it’s more so the action you are creating while jigging vs fall rate or any of that

Cody isn’t in the dark here. All too often when fish seem to be in a funk and want to just stare at a bait or peck at it when its fished horizontally people go right into another color or another bait with a horizontal attitude. I always carried a second rod rigged with a Ratso, the vertically disposed jig from Custom Jigs and Spins, generally of the same size/weight and would drop this when the fish were being mulish first thing when a change was made.

Jigs have to address both presentations at some point to really have a decent assortment. I’ve seen instances where the horizontal presentation just wasn’t cutting it and after switching to a vertical presentation not be able to keep up with the bite and all this out of the same hole and identical colors.

I’ve caught more fish fro under the ice using a vertical presentation than any horizontal presentation has offered me. This does include using the vertical jigging spoon type lures though, but still I always leaned towards vertical under the ice.

I’m confused, isn’t a ratso a horizontal jig?

its because most tungsten comes from foundaries in like russia or some crap. the only real difference is paint quality and hook quality. and perhaps the quality at which the hook is soldered to the tungsten.

all of these companies making tungsten jigs aren’t actually making the tungsten themselves.

basseyes wrote:

I’m confused, isn’t a ratso a horizontal jig?

I bet Tom meant a Shrimpo

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basseyes wrote:

I’m confused, isn’t a ratso a horizontal jig?

It is advertised as a horizontal presentation.
Ice Fishing
The Ratso’s horizontal orientation resembles a small minnow. The lifelike Finesse Plastic tail is constantly on the move and is all that is needed, since the Ratso
should be used as-is, without live bait. In shallow water situations, darken your portable fishhouse by closing all windows and peer down the hole. A bright-headed Ratso jig that can be easily seen is best used in this situation. When the head disappears… set the hook! The larger size 6 Ratso can be used for walleye with excellent results. The Ratso’s head shows up well on electronics, making them ideal choices in deep water.

Francis K wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>basseyes wrote:</div>
I’m confused, isn’t a ratso a horizontal jig?

I bet Tom meant a Shrimpo

That’s what I meant. Thank You!

I feel you brother and know exactly what you mean because I often fish vertical jigs under slip and you would be surprised how much more consistent my action is versus partners fishing a horizontal jig head even in the same color and bait. A few years ago I found a country store & bait shop that had tons of old inventory that were hand-painted odd colors that never sold – so have been sitting on a small horde for quite some time

I have a bunch of super cheap vertical tungsten grubs and moons that work pretty darn well

Tom Sawvell wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Francis K wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>basseyes wrote:</div>
I’m confused, isn’t a ratso a horizontal jig?

I bet Tom meant a Shrimpo

That’s what I meant. Thank You!

Thanks, was thinking there was a new technique of fishing horizontal jigs vertically or diagonally perpendicular to the arc of the earth’s side vs on top or bottom of the poles.

Mat Peirce wrote:

I have a bunch of super cheap vertical tungsten grubs and moons that work pretty darn well

More info please.

http://www.maynardstackle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=9

http://www.maynardstackle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=3

shop around, you can find those exact jigs for 50c pretty often…I got a ton of them for 25c/ea at a fishing show like 3 years ago