"My tactic??? Fishing the pantry. There are many others, but after a lot of experimentation, this one has allowed us (my partners and me) to catch more trout over the past few years, often of larger sizes. Contrary to what one might think, speckled trout is a true glutton. It eats everything, from small fish to small mammals, through the entire range of insects, larvae, and various invertebrates such as freshwater shrimp or leeches. This is a huge advantage for the angler who knows how to exploit its weakness."
So where is this famous pantry located? Quite simply, in shallow areas, which are generally the most fertile zones of the water body. These areas provide an ideal habitat for the complete range of its prey, especially forage fish that find shelter and food there. Rocks emerging from the surface, beaver dams, and submerged trees are a good starting point for searching for this elusive food storage. However, shallow areas bordering a deeper hole are also places to explore. But what depth are we talking about when referring to shallow? I would say, based on visual observation, that a column between 2 and 6 feet of water under the ice is a good indicator; it is evident that this is just a basic rule and not a rigid one.
Now that we have identified potential fishing spots, how do we go about it? During the winter season, regulations typically allow the use of more than one line. In my region, the permitted number is five lines. So for me, it's quite simple: four tip-ups and a small jigging rod. Place the tip-ups to cover a good portion of the targeted area (varying the depth slightly to understand the dynamics of your sector), while leaving a reasonable distance between each one. This setup allows you to intervene quickly when a bite occurs
What type of tip-up should you favor? Despite the arrival of all sorts of technologically advanced equipment on the market, I would tend to recommend the good old wind tip-up. If you are superstitious and attached to using your old balance tip-ups, it is entirely possible to do so. You just need to activate them manually throughout the day; often, bites occur shortly after moving the line, so it is of paramount importance to do so regularly.
On your tip-ups, you can use a braided nylon line with a fairly large diameter to make it easy to handle on the ice, avoiding tangles when retrieving a fish and preventing it from being left exposed on the ice. However, you might say that this type of line is not very discreet? It's not a big issue because you will add a length of low-diameter fluorocarbon between your attractor and the bait.
For setting up your lines on your tip-ups, I strongly suggest using a light flutter spoon, followed by 12 to 18 inches of low-resistance fluorocarbon. All adorned with two hooks (similar to a walleye harness), baited with a lively large earthworm. If the depth allows, it is advisable to add a bait above the attractor, such as a softbait mayfly éphémère As for your rod, the same setup can be used. However, it is wise to use a small jigging lure such as our mini bubble eyes or our famous Bubble blade Mini BubbleEyes ou encore nos Bubble Blade.
You would benefit from positioning your bait in the center of the water column. Why? Simply because the field of vision of our trout is more oriented upwards. So, with movement, fresh bait, and a well-positioned lure, you will stimulate both their lateral line, their sense of smell, and their vision, which will significantly increase your chances of landing a beautiful catch.
If you're looking for places to ice fish for speckled trout in the winter season, you can refer to my previous articles. Either Ice Fishing Destination: Saguenay Lac Saint-Jean and Well-Kept Secret Part 1: Zec Buteux As well as Zone 18, which provides remarkable opportunities.
Tight lines!!
