How to land rainbow trout through the ice

PRESENTATION

In the clear water that distinguishes most trout lakes—where the fish are visual predators that can see well into the distance—you often need to catch their attention before you can trigger them to bite. That’s why my standard presentation is to briskly snap up the lure using a combination of wrist motion and arm lift. Then I pause the lure for a second before letting it tumble back down under controlled slack line. I do this quickly three or four times, then let the lure hang perfectly still for several seconds. Finally, I shake it ever so gently so that I only rock the treblehook back and forth. If that doesn’t provoke a strike, I start the process over.

To help seal the deal, I tip both the front and back single hooks on horizontal glide baits with maggots or the end of a nightcrawler. I also sometimes tip the treblehooks on spoons with maggots, but I’m more likely to use a small piece of belly meat from a cisco or herring. The attracting phase of the jigging motion, combined with the gentle rocking of the maggot or belly-dressed treble, is more than any rainbow (or brook trout) can stand.