Tony explains the different types of recommended rigs and setups you may want to work with and the importance of using electronics while ice fishing on Lake of the Woods, MN
Are you heading up to the legendary Lake of the Woods? If you are planning a trip to River Bend Resort, you want to make sure your gear is dialed in before you hit the ice.
We caught up with Tony Boschel a two-time North American Ice Fishing Champion and Team USA Gold Medalist to get an inside look at his rod locker. Tony breaks down exactly what setups he uses to target walleye and sauger, and why versatility is the key to turning a slow day into a limit out.
The Strategy: Be Ready for the “Refusal”
The biggest takeaway from Tony’s approach is speed and variety.
Fish in Lake of the Woods often move in schools. They pass through, check out your bait, and move on. If you mark fish on your electronics but they refuse to bite, you don’t have time to re-tie a lure.
Tony’s Pro Tip: “When they’re there and you’re not getting bit, you need to reel up and change stuff frequently… You want to have it all ready to go and be able to drop back down something different.”
By having multiple rods pre-rigged, you can immediately drop a different color, profile, or action to trigger a reaction strike before the school leaves.
The Essential Rod Arsenal
Tony recommends bringing a variety of actions and lengths to cover different techniques. Here is a breakdown of the specific combos he keeps on deck:
1. The Primary Jigging Rod
Specs: 30-inch, Medium Action.
Why use it: This is the workhorse. The 30-inch length is perfect for fishing inside a shelter or wheelhouse, giving you enough control without hitting the walls.
2. The Dead Stick (Noodle Rod)
Specs: 34-inch, Light Glass Rod with a “Noodle Tip.”
Line: 4 lb test.
Lure: Hair jig or plain hook.
Why use it: The soft “noodle” tip is crucial for visual detection. When a fish takes the bait, the tip bows deeply without the fish feeling resistance. This rod does the work for you while you actively jig with your other hand.
3. The “Heavy” Hitter
Specs: 30-inch, Medium Action.
Line: 8 lb test.
Why use it: Lake of the Woods is home to massive pike and trophy walleye. You need one setup with heavier line (8 lb) to handle the big stuff or heavier lures.
4. The Short Rod (“The Legend”)
Specs: 24-inch, Medium Action.
Line: 4 lb test.
Why use it: A shorter rod is excellent for tight quarters or sight fishing closer to the hole.
Lures and Bait: Mixing it Up
Having the rods is step one; rigging them correctly is step two. Tony suggests keeping “Throwback Rods” ready with completely different presentations to show the fish a new look.
Presentation Ideas to Try:
Vertical vs. Horizontal: If they won’t hit a vertical spoon, try a horizontal jig.
Bait Variations: Don’t just stick to a whole minnow. Try a minnow head, just the tail, or a full live minnow.
The Minimalist Approach: Sometimes a plain treble hook with a split shot on a dead stick is the subtle presentation wary fish want.
Tungsten Power: Tony favors a tungsten jig tipped with a minnow tail to get down fast and offer a compact profile.
Final Thoughts
Success on the hard water often comes down to preparation. By rigging multiple rods with different line weights and lure styles, you stop wasting time tying knots and start spending more time catching fish.
Pack your gear, get your combos ready, and we’ll see you at River bend Resort!
