Jigging
Jigging spoons is a proven vertical technique for ice fishing. It also works in open water and can be very effective. Tipping the odd shank of the treble hook with live bait (where permitted) or Mister Twister Exude can also put the odds in your favor.

Work the spoon just off the bottom with short lifts and drops. Keep a tight line on the drop, as many hits come on the way down. The Williams Ice Jig is a favorite and used in the summer months as well. The Wabler, Bully as well as Dartee and Thinfish also lend themselves to different presentations. As always, it pays to experiment. Work the spoon to the top and all the way down. Be more aggressive or subtle, change jigs and or colors until you find the right combination for that day.

Casting
The Wabler, Bully, Trophy and Whitefish are all good casting choices. Whether you are casting from shore, a boat or break wall, work the water column by counting down as your lure hits the water. A short count prior to retrieve will not allow your lure to sink as far and will work the upper portion. On your next cast add to your count to allow your lure to get down further until you find the depth the fish are holding.

Vary your retrieve speeds and pump your rod occasionally. This will in many cases trigger an undecided following fish.

Trolling
Whether flat lining in the spring on the top or running lead core or downriggers in mid summer, it pays to alternate your speed and troll in an S pattern, traffic permitting.

The change in action of your lure as you slow down or speed up, which also happens at the turns in your S pattern, can trigger a hit from a following fish. With the advent of underwater cameras we are beginning to better understand how many fish come and look without hitting your lure, especially if it is on a constant straight track. The sudden change is often enough to incite the strike.

Size of your spoon
One way of determining what size of Williams lure to use can be tied to the size of baitfish your quarry is feeding on. If you are after big lakers or northerns and muskies who think nothing of hunting down 9" to 12" bait fish, a W70 Wabler or C80 and C90 Whitefish would be in order.

On the other hand, if you are after browns or rainbows early in the year feeding on juvenile smelt in the 2" to 3" range, a Thinfish or #2 Dartee would be a better choice.

Using it as an attractor you can lean to larger spoons. As the season progresses and bait fish populations mature, you can move up a size as well.

Spoons as attractors
Williams Wablers and Whitefish are favorites with spoon fishermen who use them as attractors. Try this method, popular with lake and speckled trout anglers. When the fish are neutral and not aggressively hitting your spoon, remove the treble and tie on 18" to 30" of line with a fly, smaller spoon such as a #1 Dartee or Mister Twister on a Keeper hook. The flash of the spoon will bring them in and the smaller offering darting behind the larger spoon is too good an opportunity to pass up.

How to fish with Williams lures
Williams Wablers will produce on all game fish including walleye, musky, bass, trout and salmon. The stabilizer prevents the lure from rotating and imparts a darting action that drives fish wild. Pure gold and silver reflect whatever light is available deeper, farther and brighter regardless of water clarity. Williams Wablers and Whitefish produce fish consistently. Unlike many other lures, Williams Wablers work equally well at a wide range of trolling speeds. Fish such as lake trout and walleye prefer slow moving bait while salmon readily attack lures trolled at a faster pace. Other game fish such as speckled trout, bass, musky and pike react best to lures presented at slow to medium speeds.

Choosing the size and color of Williams lures for the species of fish you are after is important. Matching the size of the baitfish your quarry normally feeds on should be the determining factor in selecting size. The standard silver and gold continue to catch their share of game fish. The new color finishes have become quite popular. Most knowledgeable fishermen stock up on several sizes in a variety of colors prior to each trip. This allows for some experimenting until the "hot" lure is found for that particular day.

Genuine Silver and Gold are best
Many lures are mistakenly referred to as silver or gold when they are actually nickel, chrome and brass. Silver and gold offer a much brighter flash and reflect any available light at greater depths than would other finishes. Nickel, chrome and brass offer a more muted flash and not to the depths which silver or gold can.

Williams have been genuine silver and/or 24k gold plate since the first Wabler was produced in 1920. There is a big difference as proven by decades of satisfied fishermen.

Practice a selective harvest
Although there is nothing wrong with taking a limited number of fish for eating, you should be putting more back than you take. And fish that are to be released should be released properly if we are to ensure their survival.

One of the most popular techniques for holding a fish in the water is to gently slide a hand over the back of the fish, then slowly turn it upside down. This simple move disorients the fish momentarily, and in many cases prevents it from thrashing, during which time you can remove the hook without damaging the fish. Once the hook is out, turn the fish back to its normal position and hold it gently in the water until it swims away.

River Fishing: When releasing river fish, you should avoid doing it in an area where silt and other sediment can pass over its grills. Never handle a fish out of water with dry hands. Never touch its eyes or grills. And never release a fish if it floats belly-up. Always make sure the fish is completely revived and strong enough to swim freely into the current.

Lake Fishing: Deep-water fish, such as lake trout or salmon, should be fought slowly to the surface, allowing the fish to adjust to the changing air pressure.

If you land a fish that appears to have "ballooned" and cannot be held below the surface, hold the fish in the water and gently squeeze the fish – starting just below the head and running your hand down over its belly. The idea is to make the fish "burp" so that it releases enough air to allow it to swim back to its comfortable depth.

If you're planning to release a deep-water fish, never keep it on a stinger or in a "live well". The water temperature on the surface can be considerably higher than at the depth the fish was caught, and can "shock" the fish beyond recovery.

Catch & Release is a vital part of fishing conservation. We hope you'll practice it, so that others can continue to reel in the enjoyment of this great sport.

Color
It is a matter of personal preference, borne of experience. A general rule of thumb is darker on dark days, lighter on light days as a good starting point. Experiment until you find the right color/size/depth for that particular day. There are many factors, not only light or dark day but also color of the water, is it silted, clear or stained? What color are the baitfish, insects and/or crustaceans? If matching doesn't work, try contrasting.

Size of lure
As a general rule of thumb, smaller is better in the spring increasing as the season progresses thru the fall when larger is better. This is based on the species you are fishing for.

This can also be applied to a specific day. If the fish are active, larger will often be better. Neutral or inactive fish may hit a smaller offering. Be willing to experiment.

Where, when and how to use the right lure, by Raymond Carignan
Did you know there is a lure for each situation and each species? To always obtain the best results the angler has to know when, where and how to use each type of lure. Of common knowledge to all experienced fishermen is that fish go through different stages: they can be active, neutral or completely negative (inactive) depending in part on weather patterns, prevailing winds, time of day, moon phases, etc...

This is when lure selection becomes so important... your presentation must adapt to any changes in fish attitude. Try a variety of lures as dictated by fish activity.

In order to get the most out of your lure selection this season, try keeping the following tips in mind:

When the predators are active use lures that produce a lot of vibration. A fast retrieve is recommended during periods of intense activity. Don't be afraid to tie on larger a larger lure when the water is muddy or stained. However smaller lures should be used in clear water.

The strong vibrations created by spoons can be picked up by the lateral line of fish over a long distance. That's one of the principal reasons Williams lures are so versatile and productive for all kinds of fish.

Now, what to do when those lunkers are neutral due to unstable weather conditions for example and angling success slows right down? Well, it's high time to attack them with "WILLIAMS" and "MOOSELOOK" wobbling spoons. Why? Because their swimming action and flash perfectly imitate the look and action of an injured baitfish. A medium retrieve or trolling speed, with an occasional sprint, is recommended.

These lures are also deadly for vertical jigging. After covering the area by casting or trolling it's a good idea to start jigging spoons near the bottom. A very productive alternate spoon is the "WILLIAMS Ice Jig". Yes, even in the summer!

Fishing after the passage of a cold front can be a most frustrating experience. The high pressure and intense solar radiation associated with this weather pattern will usually influence fish in a very negative way. They actually develop a case of lockjaw under these conditions.

Never leave a fish holding area without covering the whole sector thoroughly; change lures and try a few different techniques before giving up.

As always, experimentation and attention to detail are the keys to consistent, successful fishing with WILLIAMS and MOOSELOOK lures.

Last recommendations
a) Don't forget to listen to weather reports.
b) Consult the solunar tables to better understand the influence of Mother Nature on general fish mood.
c) Be safety conscious on the water at all times.
d) Practice catch & release and/or a selective harvest whenever you can.


All is possible, maybe you'll win the next tournament you enter or have the best fishing day of your life or even catch that trophy of your dreams...

Good fishing!