Steve ‘Zippy’ Dahl
Founder of the famous Perch Patrol Guide Service in Devils Lake, North Dakota, ‘Zippy’ was a pioneer in the development of methods for finding and catching jumbo perch on difficult basin waters. But his expertise goes well beyond that, having honed his skills on other waters and species like northern pike, walleyes and panfish.
Zip is truly a winter fishing specialist, who lives for the day the ice forms and mourns the day it melts. He’s on the ice every day all winter, so his experience level is off the charts. A gifted teacher, there’s a reason many of his guiding clients are repeat customers.
For us here at Ice Team, Zippy gives freely of his best information to help you learn to find and catch fish through the ice.
Essential Basics
Especially if you are just getting started in modern ice fishing, this is for you. But even if you are already into it, you’ll find details worth discovering.
Plastics in Ice Fishing
Many ice anglers of today understand that winter’s fish live in water at its clearest. In such conditions, fish tend to locate and choose prey based on visual evidence. That might sound like mumbo-jumbo, but it means that what your bait looks like is more important under the ice than at any other time of year.
It also helps explain why plastics are coming on so strong in ice fishing.
Your Best Ice Season
Here’s a toast to your best ice season ever.
To help you get off to a good start, here are a few key things you can do.
They’re all important, and in no particular order.
Big Moves, Small Moves
Ice fishing mobility is multi-faceted. First, move as far and fast as necessary to find fish. Then, slow down and tighten the noose until you’re dialed in.
