Big Jig Ice Fishing Contest

[Doerf]

So, I bought a ticket to the Big Jig yesterday and had a few questions I was hoping someone could answer:

-How big is the grid of holes they drill?

-Does it extend out far enough from the landing to hit 30' of water or do they make it wider, covering more of the shoreline?

-What took 1st last year?

[Northlander]

Its a big circle and I dont think it hits the 30' but I could be wrong. Sink a crawler on bottom and hope for a sucker. Really thats whats going to win it.

I would hit the right hand corner from the landing.

[Nate McVey]

If I remember right from 2 years ago, it does not hit 30 FOW. Northlander is right in his suggestion.

[ripstick]

Depending on where this year the fartherout edge should be in 30 ft.It doesn't take much distance to get to deep water.

[vermilionwally]

I already got my ticket but have no idea about the grid of holes or anything. My 30 inch walleye is going to win it haha. i think a sucker has won the contest the last 3 years from waht ive read.

[matthothand]

Ah yes. The "Big Joke". I will be out there with a few buddies for our third annual big joke outing. My buddy placed the first year and since we've just made it a fun traditional outing.. accompanied by some early morning adult beverages. A sucker usually wins and then there's probably gonna be a few runt walleyes followed by a dozen crappies and a few hundred perch separated by thousandths of a pound. I'll be using my ice tournament rig consisting of either a piece of crawler or a pair of waxies on a small horizontal jig and a standout hook with a minnow three feet above my bottom jig. I think it's a cool rig because I get my two legal rigs on one line and the minnow jigs my micro jig. I just feel better by maximizing my spread. Now I have to devise a new winning game plan though because somebody gave out my ultra top secret spot. I heard there's a pile of christmas trees about where the far left of the grid is. Hopefully it will be a full house. The event is put on by the UMD athletic program and I'll readily throw some cash their way.

[hunterlaker]

Last year at the outside right edge I was in 32 feet caught a couple of perch,,you can find peidmontangler and me by looking for the NASCAR #6 flag...we will be out there somewhere again

[reelemin]

Where and When is this "big joke" "big jig" .... thingy

[Nate McVey]

It's February 10 from noon-3 on Pike Lake, north of Duluth. You can find more info. on UMD's athletic website.

[vermilionwally]

Somebody must be a little deserate to win if theyd go far enough to put christmas trees out there.

[Doerf]

Haha! I was wondering why there were trees sticking out of the ice. Looks like I found a spot.

[ripstick]

Hey tami you thinking about coming to the big jig. Steve and I might fish it but the trouble is its freezing most of the time.

[Northlander]

Hey Rip I just found out I dont have to do anything with the Jig or fish it this year. With everyone at the Big Jig maybe we can hit some of Matt Hot Hands other Top Secret Spots while he is sitting out in the cold freezing his butt off watching his hole freeze at the Jig.

Hey Matt the trees are still there. Fish the North side of them buddy. You will slaughter them.

[reelemin]

 Originally Posted By: ripstick

Hey tami you thinking about coming to the big jig. Steve and I might fish it but the trouble is its freezing most of the time.

Maybe - need to figure out my calendar for that weekend

[matthothand]

Steve that's my only spot! I was also thinking with the contest starting at noon I should tickle the west side of the trees...the midday thermal current would make for a textbook presentation in that spot. Game over big jiggers.

[ripstick]

Went out there this am and it was perrrrrrrrrrrcccccchhhhhhhh city. Perch 3 to 8". Figured that was enough.

[vermilionwally]

I was out there today too. Between 1:30 and 5 pm picked up about 20 perch.

[Northlander]

Matt just make sure that your crawlers are on bottom and you will do fine. I still think those trees are where it will be won.

[ripstick]

Just make sure you move the circle to the trees.

[Northlander]

Nah Rip we already have trees in, or should I say under, the circle. GPS is a wonderfull thing isnt it. Never know what you will stumble across out there.

[andrew chadwick]

hey northlander- didntcha hear? they moved the circle to the side

[hunterlaker]

So what are the GPS cords.??

[Northlander]

Hunterlaker, GPS coords? What GPS coords?

Seriously, I will never give out GPS coords on any site. Thats how good spots turn into dead spots. If you ever get GPS coords from someone you better check them real close because they probably are not real if you get them off a fishing website. If they are the person who posts them should be ashamed of themselves.

Chadwick moving the circle? Man I better get out and plant Matthothand some more trees. He needs all the help he can get. Maybe even drop a few chum buckets for him the night before. Draw some monster suckers into his area.

[andrew chadwick]

is there anything in the rules against using a gill net?

[Northlander]

Not that I have seen. It may be a hard one to do down a 8" hole though.

Get some good crawlers or corn and get after them suckers.

[matthothand]

I'm test driving a new cadillac tmrw so I don't want to catch a sucker that will lead to a new scion or whatever first place gets. Like I said I'll be fishing the west side of the tree cluster targeting crappie. If that doesn't pan out for me I'll just have to page my scuba diving buddy and have him stick a little walleye on my rig. Northlander, I appreciate the help the other night gettin all those glass walls in place! Those fish are gonna funnel right to my hole now!

[ripstick]

Well its here Sunday is the big one. I am thinking about fishing that wonderful thing. NOT, good grief charlie brown 50 below wind chill I think not. A good day for a bottle of morgan and a movie.

[Northlander]

Matt we forgot to put in a side door in case you cant get your #1 spot. I hope those mirrors work.

I heard a rumor that UMD was thinking about canceling this due to the weather. I doubt they will. When would they do it before the big fish season ends?

I would like to see this contest moved to Island Lake North of Duluth.

[SKIPPERS KID]

I would like to go but the cold turns me off. Well good luck to you all that brave the cold.

[FishnUMD]

i have also heard the rumor of canceling the big jig due to severe cold. with the forecasts still predicting sunday at 50 below, i highly doubt they will have it. you wouldn't be able to fish at all with your holes freezing constantly.