How to Hook a Minnow for Ice Fishing
Just like they are during the open-water season, minnows are one of the most common bait choices of ice fishermen. Minnows can be fished on a plain hook, their natural movements used to entice fish into biting. They also can be cut and used on a bait--such as --a jigging spoon--that an angler is imparting action upon. In that case, the piece of minnow just adds to the overall presentation.
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Instructions
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Select a hook with which to fish. When ice fishermen are planning to use minnows, many choose either a plain hook or a jigging spoon that features a treble hook.
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Grab a minnow from your minnow bucket and hook it into a plain fishing hook. There are two options for doing so. It can either be hooked through the lower and upper lips, or just behind the dorsal fin. A minnow hooked through the lips will not stay alive as long as a minnow hooked behind the dorsal fin. However, if you hook the minnow behind the dorsal fin, do not place the hook too deeply into the minnow's back, as doing so may kill it. Instead, slide the hook point in just below the skin.
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Hook the minnow onto a jigging lure. There are a couple of different ways to do this. If you do not plan to jig the lure aggressively, hook the minnow through the lower and upper lips. If you plan to jig the lure aggressively or if the fish seem to be biting but you are not able to hook them, use a chunk of minnow. Cut the minnow's head off with a knife and thread the head onto the hook. The minnow's body also can be used on a hook. Slide the hook into the minnow just in front of the tail. Because the minnow is dead, hook it through the middle of the body.
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References
- Photo Credit ice fishing image by Inger Anne Hulbækdal from Fotolia.com
