How to Hook Up a Gulp! Minnow for Jigging in Ice Fishing

The Berkley fishing company manufactures Gulp! minnows, which are soft plastics molded in the shape of minnows and available in sizes from 1 to 4 inches. Gulp! minnows are formulated to smell like real fish, but they are less likely to fall off the hook than real minnows. Ice fishermen use the 1- and 2-inch Gulp! minnows when targeting crappies and sunfish. Those who target bigger fish, such as walleyes, use the larger Gulp! minnows. One of the best ways to rig a Gulp! minnow for ice fishing is on a lead-head jig.

Things You'll Need

  • Jig
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a jig size based on the size of Gulp! minnow you use. The 1- and 2-inch Gulp! minnows are best on light jigs -- 1/16 and 1/32 of an ounce, for example. Use a 1/8-oz. or heavier jig head if you are fishing a Gulp! minnow that is 3 inches or longer.

    • 2

      Grab the Gulp! minnow and hold it so its tail points downward.

    • 3

      Push the hook point into the top, or head, of the Gulp! minnow. Thread the Gulp! minnow up the shank of the hook, stopping when the head of the minnow is just below the jig head.

    • 4

      Push the point of the hook through the minnow. It should emerge from the minnow's back. Push the Gulp! minnow the rest of the way up the shank of the hook. It should be snug against the jig head and ride straight on the hook shank.