Why Are Tungsten Jigs Better for Ice Fishing? Jiggling, Drop Speed, Pounding and Deadsticking

There are a multitude of ways to catch a fish through the ice. Once you find the way that works best for that exact moment you are fishing for whatever species you are after, then BINGO, you’ve solved the fish puzzle for one day, because tomorrow that puzzle might change.

I can’t tell you how many times that I thought I had it figured out before I got to the lake. I’ll have a plan, a spot, a species that I’m after and when I get there, everything I believed would happen, didn’t. I’d get to my spot and someone was on it. Which jigs do I need? Should I use my favorite lead jigs or try out these new-fangled tungsten jigs for ice fishing?

Adaptation is the key

Sometimes this doesn’t matter much, because there were just so many guys fishing an area that it was a free-for-all, so I had to adapt to the crowd. Other times driving out on the ATV or truck, I just couldn't park next to some guys all set up in an area and mess their fishing up by moving in and disturbing the solitude.

Adapting is the key. You have to be ready for all types of situations and species to have a successful day. I go ice fishing to catch fish and here are some fine presentations that I use and you can too! You’ll want a great selection of jigs in your tackle. Just in case.

Jiggling One Up

Everyone knows how to jig, but do they know how to jiggle? My late father, Poppee, was a jiggling master. His ice rod was always dancing. He would jiggle on the up...and jiggle on the down. Somewhere in between, he would set the hook!

Not all rods are created equally for jiggling. Too stiff of a rod and you’re just jigging, too soft of a rod and you’re floating or fluttering. Sometimes though jigging or floating is better than jiggling, it’s not an exact science.

Which jiggles better, lead or tungsten ice jigs?

Every ice lure ever made can be jiggled, but some work better than others. A lure like a Custom Jigs & Spins (CJS) Demoncreates a symphony when jiggling. You can jiggle it and slowly raise your rod and then jiggle it back, Poppee Style. You can tip it with a few spikes, waxworms or Finesse Plastic for added action and attraction. 

While the Demon comes in five sizes for all species of fish, you just can’t beat jiggling a size 8 Wonderglow Demon tipped with a few waxies for giant crappie.

Drop Speed

Drop speed is a technical term used to over complicate the process of ice jig selection. Basically, if Sir Issac Newton was an ice fisherman, he would be all over it. Drop speed is the time it takes for your lure to drop a specific distance.

According to Sir Issac the Ice fisherman, “the force that pulls your jig to bottom is the same force that keeps the moon in orbit around the earth or F = G*((m sub 1*m sub 2)/r^2).” In other words a heavier lure falls faster than a lighter lure...even in murky water.

According to master jig designer, Cousin Chekai, fast is good. “In my country, Lepoglava, Croatia, there is much more fisherman than ice. You must fish fast before a larger fisherman take your spot.

And when you’re talking dropping speeds, Chekai agree with Mr. Fig Newton, if you want to get to hungry fish more fast, you better using tungsten.”

Chekai creates the Wolfinkee...icefishing will never be the same!

We got your best lure either way

That being said, Custom Jigs & Spins offers many original effective designs in both lead and tungsten to cover all the speeds: CJS=1,946 (Custom Jigs & Spins offers 1,946 different ice jig options) 

Case in point, the NEW PUKI is a tungsten version of the Demon,

• The Wolfinkee in the tungsten Ratfinkee,
• The Glazba is the tungsten Diamond Jig,
• The Tutso is the tungsten Ratso,and
• The Chekai is the tungsten ‘Gill Pill.

It’s a good idea to have several rods rigged with both tungsten as well as lead ice jigs to determine whether the fish want a slower or quicker drop speed...unless you are fishing in Lepoglava, of course!

Pounding

Pounding is speed jigging with a heavier lure. Tungsten lures are great for pounding. Also, using a stiffer rod and tight-lining to the lure is more effective than using a spring bobber on the end of your rod.

The tungsten Majmun is an excellent choice for pounding. It has a round ball head, an ultra-sharp hook that rides at a 30 degree angle and an excellent paint scheme. Because the hook shank is a little longer that most other jigs, you can load it up with spikes (I like the red ones).

Check out Jacek in action at the 8:45 mark

St. Croix’s Rods 28” Croix Tungsten Tamer is perfect for pounding tungsten. Its extra fast tip is ideal for pounding and bouncing Majmuns and other tungsten ice jigs. The key to effective pounding is a tight line and a constant rapid pounding motion as you raise and lower the rod tip. You don’t want the fish to come in and stare...you want to aggravate them into striking.

Deadsticking

There is a lot more to deadsticking that meets the eye. And if you want to meet a lot of wallEYE, crappie and perch, then you better add deadsticking to your arsenal, because sometimes deadsticking is the only way to fill a bucket!

I like a soft rod for deadsticking that will bend all the way down to the ice hole as my rod sits in a holder attached to my bucket. I fish a lot in Wisconsin where you can use three lines, so I will jig with one and set two deadsticks in holders on buckets.

A dorsal hooked minnow will attract crappie, perch, walleye and more! I’ll use a size 6 or a size 4 Demon and I’ll set it 6 to 12 inches of bottom. If it’s real windy out or I’m fishing water deeper than 10 feet, I’ll use one of the NEW tungsten Puki Spoons set the same way.

A lot of guys use tip-ups, automatic hook setters etc., I prefer the deadstick. There is something about watching a rod bend, a reel screaming and a fat perch or walleye on the end of the line!

On this trip to Lake Poygan, a lot of different jigging motions were employed!

Which technique will you use this weekend?  Next?

Give Jiggling, Pounding and Deadsticking a try on this coming ice fishing trip...and check your drop speed!

Walt Matan is the chief lure designer for Custom Jigs & Spins and B-Fish-N Tackle. For more information on ice fishing and to see Custom Jigs & Spins full line-up of tackle including the NEW PUKI tungsten jigs log on to www.customjigs.com or call 1-800-831-5535 for a FREE 2025

“Tips & Tricks” catalog….Did I mention FREE?

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