How to Fish With a Marmooska Jig

Marmooska jigs are ice-fishing jigs that have oval-shaped heads and are available in 14 colors. Anglers fish them via rod and reel, and impart action on them by moving the rod and reel up and down. The jigs work well for a variety of fish species, especially smaller fish, such as crappies and sunfish. Like other jigs, Marmooska jigs should be tipped with a piece of live bait like a small minnow or worm to maximize their effectiveness.

Things You'll Need

  • Ice-fishing rod and reel
  • Line
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a 3-foot, light-action spinning rod and reel loaded with 2- to 4-pound test fishing line.

    • 2

      Attach the Marmooska jig to the line via the eye that extends from the front of the jig. The Palomar knot is a good knot for connecting the two.

    • 3

      Impale a small minnow, a piece of a minnow or a worm on the jig's hook.

    • 4

      Drop the Marmooska jig through the ice-fishing hole and allow it to fall to the bottom of the lake, or to the point in the water column where fish are holding.

    • 5

      Lift the tip of the fishing rod to raise the jig. Move your hand slightly so the tip of the rod quivers, which causes the jig to quiver. Another good, slightly more aggressive method for fishing the jig is to shake your rod tip from side to side. If the fish do not bite when you try those methods, try lifting the jig and letting it fall, or just allow it to sit stationary in the water.

    • 6

      Set the hook when you feel a bite, which may be a tapping sensation, or simply extra weight on the end of the line. Set the hook with a firm upward motion of the fishing rod.