Ice Fishing Tightlining

Some ice anglers were introduced to ice fishing with tightlining, a technique in which the angler drops the lure into the water and then watches the line for any movement. When the line becomes "tight," it signals that something is on the hook.

Choosing the Right Lure for Tightlining

The key to successful tightlining fishing—and the part that makes it more challenging than it seems—is selecting a lure with the right weight. The lure should be heavy enough to allow the line to drop straight down to the desired depth, but not so heavy that it causes a tight line tackle issue. If the lure is too heavy, the line may become too taut to notice subtle movements when a fish strikes. Unfortunately, there’s no foolproof formula, so trial and error are often necessary to find the right lure for your setup.

Using a Spring Bobber for Strike Detection

Some anglers add a spring bobber to their line to help with strike detection. A spring bobber is a small piece of metal or wire that extends off the tip of the rod. Any movement in the line will cause the spring bobber to move, alerting the angler to a potential bite.

Next Steps

Learn about other ice fishing techniquesice fishing techniques in our next section to further enhance your ice fishing experience.