Calling in backup is a technique I ALWAYS use out on the ice. It doesn’t matter where, when, or what the weather is. I don’t hit the ice without it!
What exactly do I mean by “backup” though? It’s simple, I always have another rod within arm's reach of me when I’m set up and fishing. I have found that giving a new presentation to fish that are “getting used” to your bait allows you capitalize on bites you otherwise wouldn’t have gotten.
Now to the details of this technique. It is crucial that you have two very different baits that are complimentary to each other. So, consider a spectrum and pick baits that are on each end. If you have a bright color, have a dark one ready to go. If your main bait is large in profile, tie a tiny one on the other line. And if one bait has no rattle, maybe consider a rattling spoon to compliment. When the fish aren’t biting one, you can easily reel up, grab the other, drop down, and give them a new presentation immediately. This saves you from having to re-tie quickly with cold fingers, risking the fish moving on and losing interest. This is especially useful on lakes where fish roam large flats. You need to keep the school nearby and fired up.
My go-to combination is the Last Resort and a VMC Flash Champ spoon. The Flash Champ is great for getting the attention of passing fish and nabbing the first few big bites. But when those few aggressive fish have been caught, it takes finesse to catch the rest of the reluctant ones. That’s where the Last Resort jig comes in. With its finesse 3mm tungsten bead and natural pheasant tail body, there isn’t a fish in the lake that would think twice about biting it! Now, it is much different than the heavy tungsten teardrop jigs that are everywhere these days, and it does take a bit of patience to sink to any depth. But the results speak for themselves. The buggy presence and lightweight undulating cadence work when nothing else will, hence the name!
So, when you are packing up to hit the ice this season, don’t forget to pack two rods! I guarantee you already have a few extra laying around. Having backup to call on at a moment's notice could be the difference between a decent and great day out on the lake!
-Aaron
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