By: Dave Bennett

I want to let you all in on a fantastic new product that I got a chance to try out the other day.  It’s called Reel Weeds.  This is a portable structure system for ice fishing.  The Reel Weeds look similar to our native “coon-tail” weeds, they are weighted on the bottom, come with 40′ of line and an ice free float.

They are Very simple to use, just drill a few extra holes and drop them down.  The attraction of green weeds under the ice, especially on barren mud flats, is incredible.
I was out fishing crappies the other day and was using my usual run and gun approach.  Drilling a line of holes, quickly checking them with sonar, and fishing those I marked something in.  After some time I had several nice fish on the ice but couldn’t find a large concentration of them.  They where scattered though the area and holding tight to bottom.  I thought this might be the right time to try out this new “structure on a string,”  and I’m glad I did.  Going back to where I had caught a few fish in one area, I popped a few more holes with my new Strikemaster Solo auger and dropped the Reel Weeds down.  I flipped open my portable shelter and sat down to wait.  I didn’t have to wait long though.  The fish started moving in right away.  I wish I had an underwater camera with me to watch the action, but I settled for red bars on my sonar rising off the bottom to eat my lure.  I was using Jason Durham’s “piggy back” spoon idea, where he takes a Northland forage minnow spoon and replaces the treble hook with a small tear drop ice jig.  The fish seemed to like it and so did I, great idea Jason!

With enough crappies for a fine meal I headed for home, but I can’t wait to try my Reel Weeds out again.  If you like fishing crappies or perch, check this product out at reelweeds.com. I think I just might have to drop these around my shack next time I’m at the walleye hole….  I’ll let you know how it goes.