It’s been well documented that experimentation is one of the biggest keys to having success on the water. Innovation has changed the game over and over again throughout the years, and one of the biggest innovators in the world of ice fishing is Dave Genz. His influence on the sport has been so widespread that he’s inherited the nickname: “The Godfather of Ice Fishing.”
In this video, Dave demonstrates how he rigs plastics onto an ice jig. Most anglers thread the hook through the plastic, all the way up to the head of the jig. Mr. Genz rigs his plastics a little differently, and he swears by the success he’s had with this setup.
If you’re new to ice fishing and have only tried more traditional rigging techniques, watch this video and listen to Dave’s advice. Try out Dave’s little trick and you’ll catch more fish next time you’re on the ice.
Introduction
In this article, we will explore two different ways that ice fishing expert Dave Genz rigs his plastics to increase his chances of getting more bites. While the conventional method is to slide the plastic all the way onto the hook, Genz has discovered a unique technique that has proven to be highly effective. By starting the plastic onto the hook and getting it to stick straight up in the air, he is able to create a more enticing presentation that can attract even more fish. Additionally, Genz also shares another technique where he slides the plastic around and turns it to hang horizontally in the water, imitating the movement of blood worms. These methods have been successful in catching fish and can be valuable additions to any angler’s ice fishing arsenal.
Rigging Technique 1: Starting the Plastic Onto the Hook
Genz’s first rigging technique involves starting the plastic onto the hook and getting it to stick straight up in the air. This unconventional approach deviates from the traditional method of sliding the plastic all the way onto the hook. Genz discovered this technique while ice fishing and found that it can sometimes yield better results in terms of attracting fish.
To rig the plastic using this method, Genz suggests starting by placing the plastic onto the hook and ensuring that it sticks straight up in the air. This creates a unique presentation that can be highly enticing to fish. Once the plastic is rigged in this manner, Genz recommends moving it up and down in the water to mimic the movement of prey. This subtle action can often entice fish to strike, resulting in more bites.
Rigging Technique 2: Hanging the Plastic Horizontally
In addition to starting the plastic onto the hook, Genz also shares another rigging technique that involves sliding the plastic around and turning it to hang horizontally in the water. This technique imitates the movement of blood worms, which can be a highly effective bait for certain fish species.
To rig the plastic using this method, Genz suggests sliding it around on the hook until it hangs horizontally in the water. This positioning allows the plastic to mimic the natural movement of blood worms, which can be highly enticing to fish. Genz notes that this technique works best when the plastic is wiggled subtly, imitating the movement of the worms. This can be achieved by slowly lifting the plastic off the bottom and then letting it sink back down, imitating the motion of blood worms coming out of the bottom.
