Flashers for ice fishing

[Gone Forever]

Although I gave up ice fishing a few years ago, I still make a lot of  stuff for fellow tanglers who do ice fish and can't live without my goodies.  So I try to keep up with the action and the changes in waters and conditions from year to year.  Have noticed some conversations about using "flashers" or attractors ahead of small lightweight jigs and thought I would post up a PDF file I put together on the subject. 

Over the years I have tried a lot of different things above my "bitty bites"...both to add weight and to provide flash and/or vibration to draw fish in from greater distances.  These have included small spoons...like Kastmasters and Pimples...along with Little Cleos and even spoons like Dardevles.  Most have worked to some extent. 

I also tried the popular "Hali" jigs...those spendy little lures from Finland with the little chains between the weight and the bare hook.  They work well for perch and crappies at times, but are prone to getting torn up by toothy trout and/or walleyes or pike.  So I started making my own "holy jigs" using fine wire instead of light chain.  The fish approved and I have never had a wire damaged or broken by large fish.  Nor have any of the other local anglers who have used these things. 

I have helped a few other guys learn to work with wire and to make their own weight and jig combos...like the Hali.  You don't need a fancy wire forming tool...just a pair of round nosed pliers for making the loops and a pair of light wire cutters.  See the pics in the attached PDF file.  Or...I will be glad to show anybody who wants to learn how to make them.

As always, Pat, thanks for all the well written advice on everything you comment on.

I have been doing some experimenting with flashers through the ice, not the kind you wrote about, but small thin flashers normally associated with trolling.
The first I tried was the "Lake Clear Wabbler".  I dropped it into the hole, down about 15' and it took off.  I flipped the bail and it snapped the 4lb test ice line.  The "Strawberry Wobbler" is another flasher I have used with success as a vertical presentation.  Not for pan fish, but trout seem attracted to them along with other large game fish.
There are distinct action differences in the spoons depending on weight and shape and some days one works and the other does not and visa versa as well as weather conditions affecting presentation.  On windy days the heavier flasher is easier to control.