Page 11 - ODUDecemberWinter2019

Readers of this column know how much I use many of Custom Jigs & Spins’ products, especially the

Ratfinkee, Demon and Ratso for year-around fishing. Within the past few years a couple of other jigs
this company produces – Gill Pill and Diamond – are quickly becoming frequently used items in my
arsenal of ice tackle. The Diamond is especially important because of its size and weight.

The Diamond Jig is small, like most of the ice jigs used for panfish. However, it is much heavier, and
because of that is a very useful lure in certain situations.

Its hook has a very short shank, which is good for tipping with wax worms, spikes, Gulp Waxies and

Minnow Heads, and Power Crappie Nibbles. Anything larger, unless it is a Finesse Noodel or Wedgee,
will not work as well.

While I’ve used the Diamond in regular
shallower water ice fishing, its primary use has
been in deeper water, and when needing to

reach depths quickly. During each of these
situations it is not when the fish need a slow fall
to produce strikes.

Using a lighter weight jig in water over 10 feet,
or if fish are suspended at any depth greater
than that mark, is often frustrating having the
line reach the spot, and have the proper feel.

With the Diamond it will have the same size as
the smaller jig but have the weight to get it to
the deeper depth, and stretch the line enough
for better strike detections, and presentation.
By having the line stretched a “lift bite”, where
the line is moved upward, and a “jerk” bite can
be detected much easier. It will also help when

The Vexilar unit shows

more fish suspended half

the way down the water

column, which is a time
to get the Diamond Jig

out for a quick drop back

down to the level holding

fish.