When it comes to ice fishing for panfish, line selection is extremely important and often overrated. Light line generally gets more bites and bite detection is often much better. Light line, however, can also twist up fast and develop memory. Twisted line that causes the jig to turn or spin also greatly reduces the bites you get. Line management and constantly monitoring line, changing, and using fresh line is the most important component to catching more panfish through the ice… especially in clear water and tough bites. We break down how to choose the right line in this video.
Usually with ice fishing and line selection, we make compromises to be more efficient. The lightest line can impart a delicate action and is much easier for fish to move when flaring their gills. Too light of line, however, can break on hooksets, cut into the ice, or break when wrapping around a transducer. Too heavy of line doesn’t break but might not get the bites or detecting bites might be more difficult.
For most panfish applications with ice fishing, we are using monofilament line. The Clam Frost Mono has an extremely thin diameter, boasts excellent knot strength, low memory, and works well in freezing conditions. There are a few exceptions when we prefer fluorocarbon or braid.
Best All Purpose Line: 3 lb Frost Mono
Extremely Clear Water/ Pressured Fish/ Tough Bites: 1 or 2 lb Frost Mono
Small Spoons/ Search Lures/ Heavier Tungsten with Larger Soft Plastics: 4 lb Frost Mono
Pencil Reeds/ Flooded Timber or Heavy Weeds: 4 or 4 lb Frost Fluorocarbon
Twenty-Five Foot Plus: 4 to 6 lb Frost Braid
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Frost Mono: jasonmitchello...
Frost Fluoro: jasonmitchello...
Frost Braid: jasonmitchello...
Typically prefer clear mono but will use high vis lines for bite detection on tough bites. Line color is a personal preference… whatever you can watch easier. The high-vis Frost mono has clear stretches in three-foot intervals so that you can tie your jig or lure on the clear section and still easily watch the line with the high-vis intervals.