Lake Effect Nasty Plastics Ice Bug

Vertical Mastery with the Lake Effect Nasty Plastics Ice Bug

When the water turns hard or the bite goes ultra-finesse, the Lake Effect Nasty Plastics Ice Bug is designed to out-fish the competition. Specifically engineered for vertical presentations, this micro-creature bait features a bulbous, ribbed body and a set of thin, tapered appendages that react to the slightest rod pulse. Whether you are hole-hopping on the ice or picking apart brush piles in open water, the Ice Bug provides a realistic "larvae" profile that pressured panfish and trout find impossible to pass up.

Best Ways to Rig the Ice Bug

To get the most out of the Ice Bug’s delicate movement, use ultra-light terminal tackle:

• The Tungsten Ice Jig: This is the most popular rigging method. Pair the Ice Bug with a 3mm to 5mm tungsten jig. The heavy weight of the tungsten allows you to get back down to the school quickly, while the Ice Bug’s legs provide a slow-motion flare as the jig settles.

• The "T-Bone" Rig: Instead of threading the bait on lengthwise, hook the Ice Bug through the middle of the body. This horizontal presentation creates a wider profile and allows both ends of the bait to quiver independently, which is a deadly trigger for slab crappie.

• The Micro Drop Shot: In deep water, use a tiny #10 or #12 hook with the Ice Bug rigged 6 to 12 inches above a small weight. This keeps the bait suspended directly in the "eye-line" of fish that are holding just off the bottom.

• The Tip-Up/Dead Stick: Because of its soft texture and infused scent, the Ice Bug is a great choice for a "dead stick" rod. Even when the rod is sitting in a holder, the natural movement of the water keeps the appendages quivering just enough to look alive.

Pro Tactics for Vertical Success

• The "Shake and Bake": Drop the Ice Bug to the depth of the fish, then give it a rapid 5-second shake followed by a dead stop. The sudden stillness after high-vibration movement often forces a "looker" to become a "biter."

• The Slow Rise: If a fish is following your bait on the electronics but won't commit, slowly raise your rod tip to pull the bait away. The Ice Bug's legs will trail behind it naturally, mimicking an insect larvae heading for the surface to hatch.

• The Pound-the-Bottom: Bounce the Ice Bug off the lake floor to stir up a small cloud of silt. As the "bug" emerges from the cloud, it looks like a natural foraging opportunity for perch and sunfish.

• Size: 0.75"

• Quantity: 10 Per Pack