Best Ice Fishing Jigs and Buying Guide: Essential Picks for Success

By: FishUSA Staff

November 4, 2024

Ice fishing success can come from a number of factors, one of which is choosing the right jig. Effective jigs are made to attract fish, entice them to bite, and be equipped with the right hooks to get them topside. This guide provides insights into top ice fishing jigs, including popular picks like the ADK Custom Tungsten Jigs, Rapala Jigging Rap, and others, plus a buying guide to help you select the best ice fishing jig for your needs.

Best Tungsten Ice Fishing Jigs

Best Ice Fishing Jigging Spoons

Other Top Ice Fishing Jigs

Buying Guide For Ice Fishing Jigs

Final Thoughts

Best Tungsten Ice Fishing Jigs

ADK Custom Tungsten Jigs

The ADK Custom Tungsten Jigs are hand-painted with glow-colors tailored to attracting panfish like perch, crappie, and bluegill. Each jig is custom-painted by hardcore anglers located in the Adirondacks of New York.

Features: This jig is crafted around top-of-the-line Aberdeen jig hooks. The tungsten design of the jig allows it to sink fast, so that you can get down to fish as quickly as possible.

Colors and Sizes: Available in a huge variety of colors and patterns that are sure to appeal on the bodies of water you fish. The ADK Custom Tungsten Jigs come in 3mm, 4mm, and 5mm sizes, which are all perfect for targeting panfish.

Buy ADK Custom Tungsten Jigs

Clam CPT Confetti Drop Jig

The multi-colored glow paint is a standout feature on the Clam CPT Confetti Drop Jig, and I’ve seen consistent success in low-light conditions with crappie and perch, even in muddy water. The spotted “confetti” glow is something the fish have not seen before and is excellent for catching the eye of passing panfish.

Features: A tungsten body allows this jig to fall quick, and it’s available in 1/64, 1/32, and 1/16oz sizes, all slightly heavier than the typical ice jig. This is a great choice for fishing deep. The multi-colored glow and UV “confetti dots” shine bright to attract fish from a distance.

Ideal for: A great choice for aggressive crappie and perch in deep water or low light conditions.

Buy Clam CPT Confetti Drop Jig

Widow Maker Lures Dropper Glow Series Tungsten Jigs

I’ve found the Widow Maker Lures Dropper Glow Series Tungsten Jig to be effective at night, especially for targeting crappie. The glow attracts fish well, and this jig’s small size and unique color patterns gets them to commit.

Features: Offers glow-in-the-dark capabilities with a dropper design that mimics small prey and gets to the fish quick. Every jig is also hand-selected and tested by Widow Maker Lures.

Best Use: A great pick for nighttime or low-light fishing for panfish.

Buy Widow Maker Lures Dropper Glow Series Tungsten Jigs

Fiskas Wolfram BALZ Series Tungsten Ice Jig

The Fiskas Wolfram BALZ Series Tungsten Jigs are a prominent, more round profile than most tungsten jigs. This allows for an easier return on flashers and sonars and is a more profound profile for aggressive panfish.

Features: The tungsten construction allows for a quick drop, and the spherical design draws the attention of fish with a profound profile.

Advantages: Excellent for targeting panfish in deep or windy conditions, is easily seen on flashers and sonars, and makes for a large profound profile.

Buy Fiskas Hand-Painted Wolfram Tungsten Jig

Kenders Tungsten Akua Flare Jig

The Kenders Tungsten Akua Flare Jig brings attention to detail to life with quality tied hair, a tungsten glow bead, and bright UV body. This jig’s hair demands attention from passing panfish, walleye, and trout, and the natural action it offers entices bites.

Features: Quality ties hair jig and glow bead draws in and entices bites. The action of the jig removes the need for use with live bait or soft plastics.

Colors and Sizes: The 3.8mm features a #12 hook, and the 5.5mm features a #8 hook. Both perfect for a variety of species. Some jigs are crafted with a combination of colors to add contrast for even more fish eye-catching appeal.

Buy Kenders Tungsten Akua Flare Jig

Best Ice Fishing Jigging Spoons

Acme Kastmaster Lures

The Acme Kastmaster is a classic that performs excellently in all waters and conditions. It creates a lot of flash and vibration, ideal for drawing attention from larger, aggressive species like lake trout, walleye, and pike. I’ve had great success jigging it vertically for lake trout. The smaller sizes also work great for panfish.

Features: Known for its versatility, the Kastmaster’s metal body produces a strong vibration and flash, imitating a fleeing baitfish.

Perfect For: Works well for larger fish like lake trout and pike, even in murky waters.

Buy Acme Kastmaster Lures

Bay de Noc Lure Co. Swedish Pimples

The Swedish Pimple is incredibly versatile and works especially well in low-visibility situations. It comes in a great variety of sizes and colors to match any conditions you’re fishing in or species that you’re chasing.

Features: A classic ice fishing lure with a slim, flashing design that resembles a minnow. Available in a range of colors and weights.

Best Conditions: Great for walleye and trout, especially when visibility is lower, thanks to its reflective surface.

Buy Bay de Noc Lure Co. Swedish Pimples

Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon

The rattle in the Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon has been a game-changer, especially in deeper and dirtier waters. It draws fish from farther away, and I’ve had great results using it to lure in walleye. The noise factor is especially helpful when fishing deep or in dirty water.

Features: Equipped with a rattle chamber that produces noise, attracting fish from a distance. It’s an effective lure for walleye, perch, bass, and trout.

Pro Tip: Use it in slightly deeper or dirtier water to take advantage of the sound-carrying qualities of ice.

Buy Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon

Other Top Ice Fishing Jigs

Rapala Jigging Rap

The Rapala Jigging Rap has been a reliable ice fishing classic as long as its been around. Its swimming action mimics prey well, making it especially useful for drawing in walleye. It takes some practice to get the movement just right, but once mastered, it’s incredibly effective.

Features: Famous for its unique horizontal swimming action, making it highly effective at attracting predatory fish like walleye, perch, trout, and bass.

Usage Tips: Use with a gentle jigging motion to simulate a distressed fish for best results.

Buy Rapala Jigging Rap

Rapala Rippin’ Rap

A rattle bait has to make the list of top ice fishing jigs, and the Rapala Rippin’ Rap is certainly one of the best. The loud BB rattle system and flashy sides of this lipless crankbait calls in fish from a great distance and fires them up, while the shimmy on the fall gets them to bite.

Features: A loud BB rattle system and rapid vibrating action calls fish in and makes them aggressive.

Usage Tips: Use a relatively sharp rip of the rod to maximize this bait’s attraction ability.

Buy Rapala Jigging Rap

Buying Guide for Ice Fishing Jigs

Selecting the right jig can be challenging with so many choices available. Here’s what to consider when buying ice fishing jigs:

Material

Tungsten vs. Lead: Tungsten is denser than lead, making it heavier and faster sinking, which helps in reaching fish quickly and holding steady in all conditions. It also gives jigs a smaller profile, making them more appealing to lazy fish in cold water.

Size and Weight

Small Jigs: Perfect for targeting panfish and crappie. Choose weights from 1/80 - 1/16 oz depending on depth.

Larger Jigs: Heavier jigs (up to 1/4 oz) are more effective in deeper waters for bigger species like walleye and pike.

Color and Glow

Natural Colors: Use natural colors like olive or silver in clear water and bright sunlight to mimic local prey.

Glow-in-the-Dark: Glow jigs are ideal for low-light conditions, dawn, dusk, and night fishing, as they attract fish from a distance.

Shape and Action

Balanced Jigs: Balanced jigs, like the Rapala Jigging Rap, provide a natural swimming action, which is ideal for predatory fish.

Flat vs. Rounded: Flat jigs tend to flash more, making them effective in murky water, while rounded jigs have a more subdued profile for clear conditions.

Species-Specific Considerations

Panfish (Crappie, Bluegill, Perch): Use small tungsten jigs like the ADK Custom Tungsten Jigs for the bets success with panfish.

Predators (Walleye, Pike, Trout): Use larger, flashy options like the Kastmaster and Swedish Pimple to catch their attention and hold it.

Final Thoughts

Using the right jig for ice fishing can make a significant difference in your success on the ice. Tungsten options like the Clam CPT Confetti Drop Jig are excellent for fast drops, while classics like the Swedish Pimple and Kastmaster cater to predatory fish that prefer high action. Pay attention to material, size, color, and fish species when choosing your jigs, and always keep a variety on hand to adjust based on conditions and target species.

Happy fishing, and stay warm on the ice!

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