How to Use Airplane Jigs for Pike
Northern pike are predator fish active throughout the year. Anglers target them in both open-water and ice-fishing situations. In both instances, one of the keys to generating a bite from a northern pike is flash and motion. That is why airplane jigs, which have wings and look like an airplane, are so effective for catching pike through the ice. When jigged, the lures move in a semi-circle.
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Instructions
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Spool 8- to 10-pound test ice fishing line onto a reel and attach it to a 36- to 48-inch, medium-heavy to heavy action ice fishing rod. Tie a steel leader onto the end of the fishing line with a Palomar knot.
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Attach the clip of the leader to the hook eye, which protrudes from the head of the jig.
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Hook a minnow -- dead or alive -- onto the jig. Shiner minnows work well, though pike often are not picky about the exact species you choose.
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Drop the jig through the hole and let it fall to the bottom. Lift the rod tip a foot or two into the air to raise the jig off the bottom, and then drop your rod tip to its initial position. This causes the jig to spiral toward the bottom in a semi-circle. Experiment with how high you lift your rod tip and how aggressively you move the jig.
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Pay attention for a strike. Northern pike generally hit airplane jigs as they fall back to the bottom. When you get a bite, you may simply notice the jig did not fall as far as it should have. Or you may feel the bite, or just notice a twitch in your line. When you believe a pike has bitten, set the hook with a hard, upward motion.
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