{"id":859,"date":"2026-06-07T22:25:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-07T22:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fishing-reports.ai\/blog\/best-ice-fishing-jigs\/"},"modified":"2026-06-07T23:07:55","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T23:07:55","slug":"best-ice-fishing-jigs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fishing-reports.ai\/blog\/best-ice-fishing-jigs\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Ice Fishing Jigs: Tungsten, Spoons & Plastics Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

The ice fishing jig is the working end of the entire ice fishing system. Augers create the hole, flashers show you the fish, rods deliver the action \u2014 but the jig is what triggers the strike. The jig category for ice fishing has evolved dramatically over the past decade: tungsten has largely replaced lead as the premium material (denser, smaller profile, more sensitive feel), and specialized vertical jigging spoons have refined what was once a generic category.<\/p>\n

This guide covers the jig categories that consistently produce Upper Midwest ice fishing catches \u2014 tungsten panfish jigs, jigging spoons, vertical lures, and soft plastic tip baits. Some lures cross over directly from open-water fishing (the Rapala Jigging Rap<\/a> covered in the walleye silo dominates ice fishing too). Others are ice-specific. Match your tackle box to the species you’re targeting.<\/p>\n

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\u26a1 Quick Picks by Situation<\/p>\n

Best tungsten panfish jig:<\/strong> VMC Tungsten Tubby<\/a> \u2014 small, dense, sharp hooks.<\/p>\n

Best walleye spoon:<\/strong> Northland Forage Minnow Spoon<\/a> \u2014 proven Upper Midwest walleye producer.<\/p>\n

Best vertical jig:<\/strong> Rapala Jigging Rap W3<\/a> \u2014 open-water producer that owns ice fishing too.<\/p>\n

Best heavy spoon:<\/strong> Acme Kastmaster Tungsten<\/a> \u2014 deep water and bigger fish.<\/p>\n

Best soft plastic tip:<\/strong> Maki Plastics Polli<\/a> \u2014 modern ice plastic standard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Tungsten Jigs<\/h2>\n

Tungsten has displaced lead as the premium ice fishing jig material. Tungsten is roughly 1.7x denser than lead, which means a tungsten jig of equivalent weight is significantly smaller than a lead equivalent. The smaller profile produces more strikes from finicky winter fish, drops faster through the water column (which reaches feeding depth faster), and provides better feel through the line because the same weight presents more concentrated mass.<\/p>\n

VMC Tungsten Tubby Jig<\/h3>\n

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Buy it on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

The VMC Tungsten Tubby is the panfish-targeted tungsten jig that produces consistent crappie, bluegill, and perch under the ice. The compact “tubby” body shape gives the jig a wider profile than typical pencil-shaped tungsten \u2014 the silhouette mimics small baitfish more effectively than streamlined designs. VMC’s hook quality is exceptional in this category (the company is part of Rapala’s premium hook division), and the sharp out-of-package hooks penetrate the bony mouths of winter panfish reliably. Available in multiple sizes (1\/32 oz, 3\/32 oz, 1\/8 oz) and color patterns (chartreuse, glow, perch, multi-color). The 1\/16 oz to 3\/32 oz range covers most panfish ice fishing. Tip with a wax worm, spike, or small soft plastic for best results.<\/p>\n

Custom Jigs & Spins Ratfinkee<\/h3>\n

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Buy it on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

The Custom Jigs & Spins Ratfinkee is the panfish jig that has earned a cult following in the Upper Midwest ice fishing community. The hand-tied marabou-style dressing creates micro-action even at slow jigging speeds \u2014 the kind of subtle movement that triggers strikes from inactive panfish when more aggressive presentations fail. CJS is a Wisconsin-based small manufacturer with deep expertise in panfish-specific designs. The Ratfinkee works particularly well during mid-winter when fish are most lethargic. Best paired with light or ultralight ice rods and 2-4 lb line. Often productive without bait additions \u2014 the marabou dressing provides the action that maggots or wax worms would on a bare hook.<\/p>\n

Jigging Spoons<\/h2>\n

Northland Forage Minnow Spoon<\/h3>\n

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Buy it on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

The Northland Forage Minnow Spoon is the proven walleye spoon for ice fishing. Northland (a Minnesota company with deep walleye fishing roots) designed this spoon specifically for the Upper Midwest walleye fishery \u2014 the proportions, action, and color patterns match what Mille Lacs and Lake of the Woods walleye respond to. The spoon’s wobble on the drop triggers reaction strikes, while the realistic minnow profile holds attention from following fish. Available in 1\/4 oz to 1\/2 oz sizes (1\/4 oz is the most-used for walleye), in color patterns ranging from natural (silver shiner, perch) to attractor (chartreuse, glow). Tip with a fathead minnow head for added scent and natural movement. Often productive when the Jigging Rap isn’t \u2014 different action profile triggers different fish.<\/p>\n

Acme Kastmaster Tungsten<\/h3>\n

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Buy it on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

The Acme Kastmaster Tungsten is the heavy spoon option for deep water and bigger fish. The tungsten construction gives the spoon a small profile relative to weight \u2014 important for reaching deep walleye and lake trout quickly without the spoon spinning out on the fall. The Kastmaster’s tight wobble suits faster jigging cadences than the Northland Forage Minnow’s wider action. Excellent for deep-basin walleye on Mille Lacs (20-35 feet depths), lake trout on Lake of the Woods, and any deep-water vertical jigging application. Chrome and gold finishes are the standards; glow patterns for low-light conditions. The same Kastmaster brand crosses over to salmon pier fishing<\/a> in regular weight (not tungsten) \u2014 a versatile lure family.<\/p>\n

Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon<\/h3>\n

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Buy it on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

The Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon adds sound to the spoon category \u2014 internal rattles create vibration and noise that attract fish from longer distances than silent spoons. Particularly effective in stained water (Upper Red Lake, certain Mille Lacs sections in low-light conditions) where visual presentation matters less and audio attraction matters more. The Buck-Shot crosses over to open-water vertical jigging for lake trout \u2014 same lure works in summer at depth. The rattle is the defining feature; pair with bait (minnow head, eye, or small soft plastic) for combined audio-visual-scent attraction.<\/p>\n

Vertical Jigs<\/h2>\n

Rapala Jigging Rap W3 (Cross-Reference)<\/h3>\n

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Buy it on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

The Rapala Jigging Rap is the most-effective walleye lure ever made \u2014 under ice or in open water. The horizontal swimming action on the drop, the circling motion when jigged, and the realistic minnow profile combine to produce walleye when nothing else will. The W3 size (smallest, 2.5″) is the ice fishing standard \u2014 smaller profile matches winter walleye’s selective feeding mode. The W5 produces too in slightly deeper water. Glow patterns dominate for ice fishing (fish electronics show low-light conditions even mid-day under thick ice and snow cover). Pair with a sharp jigging cadence \u2014 sharp upward snaps (12-18 inches) followed by controlled falls. Most strikes happen on the fall. See the full coverage in the walleye jigs guide<\/a> for technique details.<\/p>\n

Soft Plastic Tip Baits<\/h2>\n

Maki Plastics Polli<\/h3>\n

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Buy it on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

Maki Plastics has become a standout name in modern ice fishing plastics. The Polli is their most-used pattern \u2014 a small, ribbed soft plastic that pairs with tungsten jigs for panfish (crappie, bluegill, perch). The plastic material stays supple in extreme cold (where lesser plastics stiffen), which preserves the subtle movement that triggers winter panfish. Best applications: thread the Polli onto a tungsten jig like the VMC Tubby, with a wax worm or maggot for additional scent. The combination provides visual attraction (the plastic), scent (the live bait), and the right profile (the jig + plastic combination) for selective winter panfish. Available in multiple colors \u2014 chartreuse, motor oil, glow, natural \u2014 to match conditions.<\/p>\n

Ice Jig Sizing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Target<\/th>\nTungsten Jig<\/th>\nSpoon<\/th>\nVertical Jig<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Bluegill \/ Crappie<\/td>\n1\/32 – 1\/16 oz<\/td>\n1\/16 – 1\/8 oz<\/td>\nSmall (W3)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yellow Perch<\/td>\n1\/16 – 3\/32 oz<\/td>\n1\/8 – 1\/4 oz<\/td>\nW3 – W5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Walleye<\/strong><\/td>\n1\/8 – 3\/16 oz<\/strong><\/td>\n1\/4 – 3\/8 oz<\/strong><\/td>\nW3 – W5<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pike (jigging)<\/td>\n3\/16 – 1\/4 oz<\/td>\n3\/8 – 1\/2 oz<\/td>\nW5 – W7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lake Trout<\/td>\n1\/4 oz +<\/td>\n1\/2 oz +<\/td>\nW5 – W7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Color Selection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Conditions<\/th>\nBest Colors<\/th>\nWhy<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Clear water, bright sun<\/td>\nNatural minnow, perch, silver<\/td>\nMimics live bait, less aggressive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stained water (Upper Red, Mille Lacs)<\/td>\nChartreuse, orange, fire tiger<\/td>\nHigh visibility through turbidity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Low light (dawn, dusk, deep water)<\/td>\nGlow patterns<\/td>\nSelf-illuminated, charges with flashlight<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Under thick snow cover<\/td>\nGlow patterns, bright contrasting colors<\/td>\nLight barely penetrates ice + snow<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pressured fish<\/td>\nNatural patterns, neutral colors<\/td>\nLess visually aggressive when fish are educated<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Glow paint matters more for ice fishing than open-water fishing. Charge glow jigs with a flashlight before lowering \u2014 they’ll continue glowing in the cold water for 10-30 minutes depending on paint quality.<\/p>\n

Live Bait Pairing<\/h2>\n

Most ice fishing jigs perform better tipped with live bait. Standard pairings:<\/p>\n