Tips for Ice Fishing Multiple Rods
Ice fishing is a wonderful outdoor activity that we are absolutely obsessed with. This winter, we are taking a deep dive into ice fishing, from our point of view. We don’t have all of the fanciest equipment and gear, but we are learning how to get the job done, while keeping a budget. Novice ice anglers have lots of questions, and were tackling the questions that we have had along our fishing journey. This week we’re going to chat about how to efficiently fish two rods at the same time. Let’s dive in!
A beautiful Rainbow Trout caught by jigging plastic tube.
First off, lets chat about fishing regulations. Each state in the USA manages its own waterways. Make sure to check the local regulations in the area that you’re planning on fishing prior to heading out. Nearly all of our fishing is done in the state of Colorado so we will use it as an example. You’ll find the states fishing regulations in a booklet that you can find at your local sporting goods store, Colorado Parks and Wildlife office, or anywhere licenses are sold. We keep a booklet in the truck and use it as a reference to make sure that were following all of the rules. One rule that comes into play in Colorado is that the standard fishing license covers you for one fishing rod. If you intend to take advantage of fishing multiple rods, you’ll need to purchase and additional rod stamp. That will allow you to fish 2 rods at the same time.
Fishing during the ice season can be a challenging adventure. Typically, the fish are less active and aggressive. That means that they can be more challenging to catch than during the open water season. Dring the warmer months, you can freely cast your way around the lake until you find fish. Its a little harder to locate fish while needing to drill holes at each location. One way you can increase your chances for catching, is to deploy a second rod. At first, this can be overwhelming to watch two rods at one time, but you’ll find it quite rewarding if done correctly.
The first step is going to be drilling two holes. They should be close to one another, but far enough as to avoid tangling of the lines. We usually keep them within arms reach, or close enough to tend to both rods without moving too far. Choose the hole that you want to “dead stick”. You can tackle this technique with ice fishing rods or “tip ups”. A tip up is a type of device that you can set over your hole and there is a flag that will “tip up” when you have a fish on. We don’t currently use tip-ups in our ice fishing routine, so we are going to chat about using another rod. Back to “dead sticking”… it simply means dropping your line in the hole and leaving it be. We typically use a live bait for this setup. Something like a small jig with a wax worm, mealworm or earthworm. Drop your line in the hole at your set depth and forget about it. If were out there to catch fish with new anglers or kids, we are usually trout fishing and not targeting specific fish. For this, we like to keep our lines at 10-15 feet below the ice, ideally about 1 to 2 feet off the bottom of the lake. This will be where cruising trout may be enticed by the tasty treat we have left for them.
Stand your rod up by balancing the bail, rod handle and reel handle.
With the line set up, its time to set up the rod to notice if you have a fish. There are rod holders that you can attach to a bucket, ice sled or screw into the ice itself. Those are good in areas where you may have a fish that can take your rod into the hole. If you don’t have a rod holder, have no fear…you can set up your rod in a fashion that will allow you to see all the action from afar. Simply set the reel up so that the bail is in front of the reel with the handle facing down towards the butt of the rod. Then lay it on the ice as pictured.
Leaving your rod in this position will allow you to see the nibbles and if a fish takes the bait, your rod tip will fall and you’ll know there is a fish on your line. Most of the time we don’t hook into anything that can take the rod into the ice, but it happens. Rod holders help you keep ahold of your equipment so they are worth the investment and are on our shopping list. Now, with the first rod set up, its time to move onto the next rod.
A few of our favorite tube jigs for trout.
Head to the second hole you have drilled. This will now be your “jigging” hole. That simply means, this is the rod that you will be giving action to in the hope of attracting fish to your location. Its best to choose a bait that will resemble a bait fish or aquatic meal that is located in your fishing hole. We tend to have good luck with small tube jig plastics tipped with a wax or mealworm. Jigging is the action that you will give to your rod to make the bait move under water. First, drop your bait into the hole, just like the first rod. Let your bait hit the lake bottom and reel up about 1 foot or a few cranks on the reel. That will keep your jig off the bottom and in the best location for passing fish. To jig the rod, lift the tip of your rod in the air 3-4 inches and then drop the rod back to its original height. That will raise the bait within the water column and allow the bait to flutter back down. This movement will resemble a wounded bait fish, bringing attention to your area. Repeat this jigging ever few seconds and let the bait sit between the action. The nibbles can come whenever, but we notice a lot of action once the bait settles between jigging.
Fly Larva and Wax Worms are our favorite ice fishing live bait
Ice fishing nibbles are pretty faint. But once you feel one, you’ll know what your looking for. The rod tip will barely move, but you’ll see it and feel it. As soon as you feel the nibble, give the bait a rest and see if you can entice a second strike. As soon as you feel the nibble lift the rod to set the hook. Lift the rod straight up, above your head. If you feel the fish on the line, keep that line tight and begin to reel in. If you didn’t set the hook, let that bait fall to thsame height it was before. Its pretty common to have an aggressive fish that will come right back to your bait. If you’re lucky you’ll get a second chance.
Keep an eye on your dead stick rod as your jigging. Sometimes your jigging will bring a fish by that will notice your other rod. Things can happen fast with schooling fish, so pay attention and you’ll be hooking up with fish before you know it!
The best thing about using two rods is that you’re fishing in two different styles. Sometimes the bite is slow and the fish hit the dead stick more. Other times, the fish are hungry and on the hunt. Thats when we find more jigging hook ups. By using both techniques to your benefit, you’ll drastically increase your chance at making a catch. At the end of the day, thats what we’re after.
In conclusion, using two rods is a highly effective way to catch more fish while ice fishing. Mess around with different set ups, baits and jigging techniques. If you’re not finding success, try changing the depths at which you’re dead sticking and jigging. I’ve caught big fish at the bottom of the lake and 6 inches below the hole. Play around with it and you’ll have a fish on in no time!
Tight Lines and Happy Trails,
The Trails to Trout Family
