Mid-Winter Solutions From the Pros Genz, Mitchell, Durham, and Hudson 1-16-2012

Mid-Winter Solutions From The Pros
Dave Genz, Jason Mitchell, Jason Durham & Jim Hudson
Even though winter is one of our four seasons, winter isn‟t simply “winter” when it comes to ice fishing. A handful of periods occur during the ice fishing season, one of which is the mid-winter period. During this stage, anglers sometimes become frustrated since the successful patterns found during the beginning of the ice season are no longer productive. Clam Outdoors called upon their Pro Staff to offer insight for anglers perplexed by the mid-winter attitudes of various species.
Walleye
Bayfield, WI fishing guide Jim Hudson of Hudson‟s On the Spot Guide Service knows how to dial-in mid-winter walleyes. His approach is simple, yet carefully calculated. “For mid-winter walleyes, I normally search near off-shore structure or deep main lake points. As the winter progresses, it seems most shallow water fish disperse, usually after you get just over a foot of ice. Snow cover impacts this seasonal movement as well. Fish gravitate to mucky or muddy bottom areas that are associated with deep reefs, sand grass flats, and gravel or rock regions in conjunction with the off-shore structure and deep water adjacent to points. Look toward the deeper side of that structure, especially with a deep water flat associated. But, this is all relative, as each lake has its own characteristics“, recommends Hudson.
Jim Hudson admits that the baits he uses for active jigging are much smaller than he reaches for during the first or late ice period. Hudson prefers 1/16th and 1/8th-ounce spoons in addition to jigs that are 1/16th-ounce and smaller. At times, instead of minnow heads, Hudson will tip his jigs or jigging spoons with wax worms. “Walleyes are less active throughout most of the day, and prime times, like the low-light periods, are the best to key in on. Also, tip-ups or deadsticks are a mainstay for this period. While deadsticking, use smaller hooks and smaller minnows”, says Hudson.
The insightful Hudson recommends using the deadstick presentation close to your jigging approach. “This is important all winter long, but more important during mid-winter. Call them in with your jigging cadence and then seal the deal with a live minnow”.
For Hudson keeping minnows lively is simple with Clam Outdoor‟s Spill-Proof Insulated Bait Buckets and easy-to-use Bait Well. “There‟s a bait bucket for every size of minnow and every situation”, says Hudson.
Crappie
Clam Outdoors Pro-Staffer Jason Durham, who operates Go Fish! Guide Service out of Park Rapids, MN, sees variation in crappie attitude and altitude during mid-winter. “On certain bodies of water there is a defined crappie migration from shallow water to deep water and back to shallow. Mid-winter is typically a time when the deep-water suspended crappie bite is consistent and predictable”, states Durham.
His deep-water technique begins in 20-30 feet of water, concentrating on areas that have a soft bottom near the basin areas of bays. “Those schools of deep-water crappies will feed on wandering schools of minnows, but the real key is zooplankton. Once the sun hits the trees
in the evening, your Vexilar will light up like Vegas, a tell-tale sign that the plankton is below”. Durham often utilizes the 12-foot zoom mode on his Vexilar flasher to see crappies that are high off the bottom. “I also actively watch the entire water column on the right side of my display since the schools vary in depth up and down the water column.”
Although the evening hours are productive, Durham urges anglers to get out early, before sunrise and fish similar areas. “When deep-water crappies inhabit an area at dusk, they are often present and active before sunrise too.”
His technique involves two lines, one set-line with a small luminescent jig that‟s charged frequently, even during midday because of the lack of ambient light in deep water, tipped with a live crappie minnow. He also employs either a compact but heavy jig like Northland Tackle‟s Hard Rock Mooska Jig decorated with maggots or a small but flashy jigging spoon such as Northland Tackle‟s Live Forage Jigging Spoon laced with a couple waxworms. “The active fish will race in and smash the spoon, while lethargic fish cautiously approach the minnow. Even lethargic crappie will ultimately succumb to the natural presentation of the minnow.”
The Clam Command Post Thermal is Durham‟s shelter of choice while he and his clients sit above the schools of suspended crappies. “The massive area inside the Command Post Thermal allows ample space for everyone to have a couple holes each, stand up when they want to stretch and the thermal tent ensures everyone stays comfortably warm even in the coldest conditions.”
Durham emphasizes safety when fishing after dark and before light. “Make sure you‟ve got plenty of illumination to not only fish, but set up and break down camp too. Clam Lucky Lights, Tube Lights, Compact L.E.D.‟s and new Sled Lights all transform night-time into “play-time.” Perch
Devil‟s Lake dynamo Jason Mitchell could be called “The Perch Whisperer”. Mitchell seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to both locating and luring monster perch on his home-waters and everywhere along the Ice Belt.
“Across the board on many lakes we fish, perch are found on either deep sand or sand transitions. There are other patterns that will occur for sure but this is annually very consistent. As far as finding these fish, remember that morning and evening can sometimes be your best bet on clear water lakes but as you fish deeper, the best bite is often mid-morning.” Mitchell suggests anglers eat an early or late lunch during their mid-winter perch excursions since the deeper fish tend to fanatically feed just about the time you‟re ready for a sandwich. “High noon is a great time for deep water perch”, Mitchell advises. To tempt mid-season perch, Mitchell‟s lure of choice is a dropper rig. “Midwinter is when dropper rigs really shine for a couple reasons. First off, many perch slide deeper towards these transitions and the weight of the spoons above these dropper rigs descends fast. The other thing that happens is that these fish are feeding on invertebrates. The small jig/profile below the spoon often triggers fish that are hesitant to eat larger, heavier lures. As fish become less ambitious about hitting lures and the depth increases, light tip rods or finesse rods shine because you can watch the bite. With deep water perch, the fish have to coast forwards further before you feel any bite. What we often have to do is jig to attract the fish, yet holding the rod still is the trigger when fish approach.” Mitchell adds, “To distinguish these bites, especially in tough weather, roll
up your sleeves and hunker down over schools of fish with a Fish Trap like my new super warm thermals. Not only are the houses extra warm, they resist condensation and the fabric lets in light so you can see light bites. The perfect rod for this situation is our Jason Mitchell 28″ Meat Stick rod. The tip will give you the reflexes of a cat when fishing perch on deep basins and transitions.”
Bluegill
Dave Genz has an affinity for scratching out big „gills, even in the toughest conditions. Mid-winter is undoubtedly one of the toughest periods to ice fish, but Genz embraces the challenge.
Genz says that the first place he begins to search for bluegills during the mid-winter period is in deep water, particularly basins. “I look for areas that are along drop-offs into deep water that have a very soft bottom. Avoid rock and sand, the fish inhabit territory where marine insects dwell”, says Genz. He recommends fishing in depths less than 30 feet to minimize mortality when fish are released.
Dave Genz is a self-proclaimed “live bait guy” and though he admits that soft plastic baits work, he prefers Eurolarvae versus even the most refined soft plastic presentations. Genz will stack two to five Eurolarvae on a hook, but does so with delicate precision, so the worms retain their liveliness.
Genz often mixes the colors of the Eurolarvae, opting for what he calls a “contrasting compliment” of livebait hues.
As for “go-to” jig options, Genz definitely has a couple favorites. “I choose a jig that displays well on the Vexilar, like the #10 Lindy Fat Boy or Lindy Toad. The baits fish heavy for their hook size and fall quickly” states Genz. “Some people choose a number 12 size, which doesn‟t get as many bites compared to a number 10, but on average the fish are larger.” Genz is a firm believer in using glow-in-the-dark jigs in deep water, but suggests that people consider the environment you‟re fishing. “Charging luminescent jigs is effective all day long since it‟s very dark in deep water.”
The master of movement, Genz spends only a minute or two in each hole until he finds active fish. Then his hole drilling pattern becomes increasingly concentrated to focus on the fish that are most apt to bite.
Though most anglers focus solely on rod performance to detect bites in deep water, Genz suggests additionally taking a close look at the reel you‟re using. “Reels with a larger spool diameter can help immensely in deep water. Because a larger spool causes fewer kinks and memory than a small diameter spool, the fishing line remains straight and light bites are easily detected.” Genz has a signature series of reels that are superior in function, not only for their smooth retrieve and larger arbor, but additionally an advanced drag that handles fish larger than your intent. “Predators like bass, northern pike and walleye inhabit the same areas as bluegills. A good drag ensures you land the fish and simultaneously retrieve your jig.”