Imagine this: You’re bundled up tight on a frozen lake. You drill your hole, drop your line, and wait. But the fish aren’t biting. What’s your secret weapon when natural bait just isn’t cutting it? The answer often lies in the vibrant, wiggling world of ice fishing plastics.
Choosing the right soft plastic lure can feel like a guessing game. Should you use a tiny tube, a slender minnow imitation, or maybe a grub with a flashing tail? Different water conditions and different species of fish demand different plastic presentations. Many anglers waste precious time and money buying lures that just don’t produce results when the bite gets tough.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will break down the best plastics for winter fishing. You will learn how size, color, and action directly affect whether you bring home a bucket full of fish or just a cold backside. Get ready to upgrade your ice fishing game.
Top Ice Fishing Plastics Recommendations
- Natural insect profile with realistic features, including a forked-tail, ribbed abdomen, wings and legs.
- Pairs perfectly with Bobby Garland’s Itty Bits jigheads as well as a wide-range of jigheads that utilize a size 6 hook or smaller.
- 1.25 Inches Long
- 20 Per Pack
- 🔱 High Quality - Premium material with realistic colors, biodegradable and reusable. A realistic design-shaped worm, creating actions of swimming in water, fish easy to apply. 5 colors, one of which has a luminous effect, making it easy to use in dark water or at night.
- 🐬 Features - Soft, can be easily attached to the hook. To hang on fishing hooks and will be vivid in the water. The worm and red worm-shaped design is realistic and attracts the attention of fish. It is a fishing tool for fishermen.
- 🦀 Fine Workmanship - With simulate worm appearance, making this product a special tool for catching fish, easy to catch fish and not easy to fall off. This item is one of the best accessories in your fishing tackle box, which performs well in practical use.
- 🦑 Easy to Use - This product creates life-like swimming actions in water and rapid diving action into water. This fishing bait is made of high quality material, which is very durable and lightweight to carry.
- 💖 Wide Use - Sea water, fresh water, easy to use, hang up to fishing hook and will be vivid worm lures water shaped design, create swimming actions in watergrabbing the attention of fish.
- Ultra-fine HD Detail
- Pyramidal Appendages
- Donkey Sauce Infused
- 10x Tougher
- USA Sourced Material
- 40 Per Pack
- Some colors will glow in the dark if noted.
- Scented
- Great tail action
- Length = 1.5 inch
- Ultra-fine HD Detail
- Pyramidal Appendages
- Donkey Sauce Infused
- 10x Tougher
- 10x Tougher
- Ultra-fine HD Detail
- Pyramidal Appendages
- Donkey Sauce Infused
- 10x Tougher
- USA Sourced Material
- BERKLEY POWERBAIT FLOATING MICE TAILS FRESHWATER SOFT PLASTIC BAITS: With irresistible scent and flavor, Floating Mice Tails fishing baits combine our salmon egg and trout worm to replicate the "Power Mouse" rig.
- ENTICING SCENT AND ACTION: Designed for a lifelike presentation, these flavor-packed fishing worms have lively action that mimics real worms and other forage. Choose from a variety of head and tail colors for maximum contrast in the water column.
- MATCH THE HATCH with a variety of premium, forage matching colorways to choose from based off of fishing preferences and environments. Color: Fluorescent Red/Chartreuse. Length: 2 in.
- TARGET A VARIETY OF SPECIES: PowerBait Floating Mice Tails fishing baits are great for trout, and all panfish species, including crappie, perch and bluegill. Rig as you would live bait on a variety of techniques.
- EXCLUSIVE POWERBAIT FORMULA: Berkley scientists have spent over 30 years perfecting the PowerBait formula. Fish love PowerBait so much they hold on 18 times longer, giving you the time and confidence to Feel More Bites.
- Pheromone Infused Plastic
- High Quality and Durable Soft Plastic with very Natural Action
- Amazing Soft Plastic Bait For Trout and Panfish such as Crappie, Bluegill, Perch
- Realistic 1" Freshwater Shrimp Design
- 8/Pack
The Ultimate Guide to Buying Ice Fishing Plastics
Ice fishing is a blast! Catching fish when everything is frozen requires special gear. Plastic lures, often called “plastics,” are super popular for ice fishing. They look like real bait and attract hungry fish. This guide helps you pick the best ones for your next trip.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for ice fishing plastics, check these things first. These features make a big difference in how many fish you catch.
Size and Shape
- Size Matters: Small plastics work best when fish are finicky or the water is very clear. Bigger plastics attract larger fish or work well in murky water. Match the size to the fish you are targeting (like perch, crappie, or walleye).
- Action in Water: Look at how the plastic moves when you jig it. Some plastics have curly tails that wiggle a lot. Others have flat bodies that flutter slowly. The right action brings bites!
Color Selection
- Bright vs. Natural: Bright colors (like chartreuse or pink) work well when it is cloudy or deep. Natural colors (like smoke or white) often fool wary fish in clear water. Bring a few different colors!
Scent and Flavor
- Some plastics come already scented or flavored. This scent can trick a fish into holding onto the lure longer. This gives you more time to set the hook.
Important Materials in Ice Fishing Plastics
The material an ice fishing plastic uses affects how it feels and how long it lasts.
Softness and Durability
- Softness: Softer plastics feel more natural to a fish’s mouth. Fish hold onto soft lures longer.
- Durability: Super soft plastics sometimes tear easily. You want a good balance. A plastic that lasts several fish is usually better than one that falls apart after one bite.
Buoyancy
Some plastics float (are buoyant), while others sink slowly. How the plastic behaves when you stop jigging is important. Floating plastics stay higher in the water column, which can be key when fish are suspended.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Good quality plastics catch more fish and last longer. Poor quality plastics waste your time and money.
Quality Factors
- Mold Quality: Well-made plastics have sharp details and consistent shapes. Poorly molded lures might look lumpy or uneven.
- Color Consistency: High-quality plastics keep their color well, even after being soaked in water or exposed to sunlight.
Factors That Reduce Quality
- Bad Storage: Never leave your plastics sitting in very hot cars or direct sun. Heat melts soft plastics together, ruining their shape.
- Chemical Reactions: Do not mix different brands of soft plastics in the same bag. Some chemicals react badly and melt the plastic.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the plastic determines its success.
Jigging Technique
Ice fishing plastics are almost always used on a jig head. You lift and drop the plastic quickly (jigging). You must experiment with the speed. Sometimes fish want a fast, erratic action. Other times, a very slow, subtle quiver works best.
Targeting Different Fish
- Panfish (Perch, Crappie): These fish usually prefer smaller, very subtle plastics, often tipped with live bait like a waxworm for extra attraction.
- Walleye: Walleye often hit slightly larger plastics, especially those that imitate small minnows or leeches.
Good ice fishing plastics give you the best chance to bring fish home. Choose wisely, and enjoy the bite!
Ice Fishing Plastics FAQ
Q: What is the best plastic color for cloudy days?
A: Bright colors like chartreuse, orange, or white show up best in low light or cloudy conditions. They catch the fish’s eye.
Q: Do I need to add scent to every plastic lure?
A: No, you do not have to. Many modern plastics have built-in scent. However, adding extra gel or spray scent can increase your success, especially if the fish are inactive.
Q: How should I store my ice fishing plastics?
A: Store them in their original packaging or a clean plastic container. Keep them cool and out of direct sunlight. Never mix different types of soft plastics together.
Q: What is “plastic tipping”?
A: Tipping means putting a small piece of live bait (like a minnow head or a maggot) right on the plastic lure. This adds scent and movement to make the bite irresistible.
Q: Are expensive plastics always better than cheap ones?
A: Not always. Quality matters for durability and action, but sometimes a very simple, cheap plastic catches fish better than an expensive, fancy one. Test them both!
Q: How long should the plastic action be when jigging?
A: This changes daily. Try jigging fast for 10 minutes. If nothing bites, slow down the action drastically. Let the plastic hover or fall very slowly.
Q: Can I use regular bass fishing plastics for ice fishing?
A: You can, but specialized ice plastics are usually better. Ice formulas are often softer to work in cold water and come in smaller sizes perfect for panfish.
Q: What is the best way to attach a plastic lure?
A: Most anglers rig them on a small jig head. Make sure the hook point comes straight through the plastic body so the lure hangs straight when you lift it.
Q: How does water clarity affect my color choice?
A: In very clear water, use natural or light colors. In dark or stained water, use bright, high-visibility colors.
Q: Are scented plastics safe for the environment?
A: Most modern soft plastics are made from biodegradable materials. Always check the packaging, but generally, they break down over time.