Tipping your jig with spikes (maggots) correctly will help ensure they remain alive for as long as possible. First, identify the "front" from the "back"...easy to do, as a spike is pointed in the front, and blunt in the back. In addition, the blunt end will feature two tiny black dots. That's the end you want to run the hook through. Gently squeeze the spike between your thumb and forefinger, and using a fine wire hook, carefully pierce the blunt end, just barely under the skin. Hooking too deep will kill the spike, but a shallow jab will allow the larvae to wriggle enticingly. Don't worry about the spike coming off the hook...maggots are tough! Far tougher than waxworms, and will sometimes catch multiple fish and still be kicking.
I usually let the mood of the fish dictate how many I add to my jig, but using 2-3 at a time to get a "Medusa head" effect works well for me most times.
Jet sleds...I've seen them at every tackle store that sells ice fishing gear. In addition, some of the farm stores in my area have been known to carry them also, as they are pretty handy for a lot of winter chores. There are many different brands of sleds, so don't get hung up looking for a Jet... They all work just the same.
My favorite jigs? That's a tough one. Generally speaking, I like tungsten jigs because they fish heavy...this lets me downsize, but still gives me enough weight to get down to the fish. Again, the fish will tell you what they want to see, whether it be vertical teardrops, or horizontal bead heads.
A selection of some of my favorites:
Flashers: This could be a topic within itself. There are four major players in the ice sonar field: Vexilar, Marcum, Hummingbird, and Lowrance. Of those four, Vex and Marcum probably have the lion's share of the business. Price is most often the deciding factor when choosing a unit, but there are some other factors to consider.
Mechanical, or digital? It used to be that all flashers were mechanical, meaning they contained a motor driven wheel as part of their mechanism. They work fine, but do tend to make some noise. Digital units are quieter, and usually lighter.
Does it offer split screen capability, or a zoom feature? I wouldn't buy a unit that didn't offer this capability. A great deal of ice fishing takes place near the bottom, and split screen or zoom allows you to concentrate power in that area, for greater definition. My Lowrance is always set to split screen, which shows the entire water column on one side, and the bottom six feet on the other. Very helpful.
Target separation...basically defines how sensitive the unit is, in relation to objects it "sees", and the distance between them. I recommend shooting for no greater than 3/4", and less is better.
Interference rejection....not a big deal if you fish alone, but if you're fishing next to your BIL and he cranks up his unit, will yours freak out? It does happen, and a unit that allows compensation is a big plus.
Power (watts)....more is better.
Now for the controversy. I plan to purchase a new unit before next season, and I've narrowed my choices down to two units......Either the LX-7, or possibly the fancier LX-9, both by Marcum. They have flat screens, four color LCD displays, and have every feature I could possibly want....AND, if something new comes out in the future, both units are upgradeable via usb cable. The 9 differs from the 7 in that it also integrates a full color underwater camera into its design. Pretty sexy.
