Flashers for ice fishing

[TubeDude]

Thanks Pat, this adds another option that I need to try.  I've experimented with "Michigan rigs" (bead head fly above a spoon) and "Great Lakes perch dropper rigs" (horizontal jig 2-1/4" below a spoon on mono) this winter, with decent success.  I even caught a couple of doubles on the Michigan rig.  I have several hali jigs and haven't even strung one on this year.  I did buy a Lindy perch talker and have had really good success on panfish and largemouth bass using it.

I'm guessing the wire helps avoid tangling, so see that as one positive.  Looks like your separation is 5 inches or so.  Have you experimented with shorter and longer wires?  Just wondering if it makes a difference, maybe for different species?

Yes, I have experimented with both longer and shorter leaders.   And the shorter ones worked better than the longer ones.  If I am going to use a longer leader I will use mono or fluoro.  Yes, they can tangle, but so will the longer wire leaders.  The little chains on the Halis are pretty short.  And I started off using shorter wire leaders.  But I use light jigs rather than a plain hook so that helps with the straightening out process.  And through experimentation I think I have found that the 5-6 inch wires seemed to work best.  They are still close enough to benefit by the attractor above it, but far enough away to give the fish more of a feeling of security to bite it.  But on camera I have also watched aggressive fish smack the glow attractor above the baited jig a few times before getting down to business.  Silly fish.  Silly fishermen.

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Thanks Pat, this adds another option that I need to try.  I've experimented with "Michigan rigs" (bead head fly above a spoon) and "Great Lakes perch dropper rigs" (horizontal jig 2-1/4" below a spoon on mono) this winter, with decent success.  I even caught a couple of doubles on the Michigan rig.  I have several hali jigs and haven't even strung one on this year.  I did buy a Lindy perch talker and have had really good success on panfish and largemouth bass using it.

I'm guessing the wire helps avoid tangling, so see that as one positive.  Looks like your separation is 5 inches or so.  Have you experimented with shorter and longer wires?  Just wondering if it makes a difference, maybe for different species?

Reply #2.  It occurred to me that if you are into experimentation that you might like some info on "downsizing" with the flasher concept.  I have made reference to the fact that some fish go for smaller offerings later in the ice season.  So in addition to all the other stuff I have made and tried, I have some mini models.  One of these is the "wermz" line...of small painted body jigs (PBJs).  These can be the jig part of a "Holy Jig" setup.  The other option is to make those little things on regular hooks...attached directly to the wire.  I call them "holy tears".  They work.