Crappies in the Crosshairs

by Jason Durham

Over the past several years a highly efficient angling approach has emerged for targeting panfish, in addition to other species. The technique, called “sight-fishing”, may be a term you’ve never heard, yet the method is centuries old. However, over the past few decades, most people simply didn’t want to admit to engaging in the practice.

Years ago, sight-fishing referred to an ice angler laying down on their stomach, face-first in the ice hole, just centimeters above the water to watch their ice jigs and fish that approached (if there’s very little snow you might accidentally dip the tip of your nose into the ice-cold lake). Yes, the technique looked a little goofy, not to mention chilled the angler while their body was sprawled out on the ice.

Late ice anglers sometimes sight-fish while standing above the ice hole. Since crappies and bluegills progressively move higher in the water column toward spring due to water flowing into old ice holes, cracks and crevices, it’s easy to see fish enter and gobble up the bait. Yet there are some disadvantages to standing above the hole to sight fish. First, a warm (or cold!) spring breeze can easily bow the line between your rod tip and the water’s surface, making it more difficult to effectively work your bait. That same wind can cast a ripple on the water, cutting down the angler’s visual acuity as well.

The solution? Sight fish from a Clam Fish Trap. Not only can you stay warm, block the wind and see down your ice hole, you can sight-fish even when the fish aren’t inches below the bottom of the ice. That’s right, in a Clam portable shelter, you can see the fish all winter long.
The positive attributes reach further than the simple entertainment of watching approaching panfish or the occasional entrance of a toothy northern pike. Sight fishing grants the angler a hands-on education in fish behavior; seeing their movements in relation to varying jigging styles can help you when you can’t sight-fish, such as deep water or low water-clarity situations.

Creating the best sight fishing environment above the ice will impact how well you see below the ice. First, you’ll need to create a large ice hole for easy viewing. Utilizing Jiffy’s 10-inch bit on their propane powered STX Pro 4 is a good size without compromising the safety of others once you leave the lake for the day. Some anglers will use smaller blade assemblies but cut three holes in a triangle shape, chiseling away any protruding points of ice that could shred their line while battling a bigger fish.
Then, position your Clam Fish Trap close to the hole. You actually need to sit down in the chair to determine how close you should be. It’s easiest to have the ice hole centered between your boots while in a seated position.

Next, ambient light flooding the portable shelter should be addressed. Be sure to pack snow around the perimeter of the shelter and make sure window coverings are Velcro-ed shut.

Rod selection becomes imperative to putting yourself in the proper position to look down the hole. Short rod blanks function much better than longer sticks because they keep the line centered in the ice hole. Long rods push the line against the side of the hole, impeding both jigging action and ability to fight a fish.

So this winter, explore sight-fishing on your favorite lake with your Clam Fish Trap. You’ll be amazed at both what you see and the knowledge you’ll gain!

Jason Durham owns and operates Go Fish! Guide Service Inc. in Park Rapids, MN and can be reached at 218-252-2278. You can also find him online at lakecountryguides.com.