In winter, the “right lure” is only half the story. The other half is how you fish it: depth, rhythm and small adjustments that turn a dead-looking hole into a couple of quick bites. We like keeping it simple — pick your lure based on the species and conditions, start with a clear routine, then tweak one thing at a time instead of swapping your whole box every few minutes.
Here’s our practical, no-drama way to choose winter lures and actually make them work.
Start with the fish: the lure follows the target
Perch: search first, finesse when needed
Perch is the classic ice-fishing target. When fish are active and moving, it often makes sense to start with a lure that helps you locate them. When perch are picky — the famous “they’re there but they won’t commit” — finesse usually wins.
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Mormyshkas & jigs: https://jahikala.ee/collections/muskad-ja-marmossid
Pike: a clearer profile and a calmer pace
Winter pike can be brilliant, but it’s rarely “on” all day. A lure with a strong silhouette and controlled movement is often the better bet.
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Balance lures: https://jahikala.ee/collections/poiklandid
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Vertical lures: https://jahikala.ee/collections/pustlandid
Roach: calm and precise
Roach is great when you want a steadier pace or need livebait. Smaller, cleaner presentation tends to work best.
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Mormyshkas & jigs: https://jahikala.ee/collections/muskad-ja-marmossid
The three winter basics: balance lure, vertical lure, mormyshka
Balance lure: for active searching
A balance lure helps you cover a bigger “zone” under the hole and draw fish in from a little further away. It’s a strong starter when you’re still looking for life.
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Balance lures: https://jahikala.ee/collections/poiklandid
Vertical lure: controlled, straight-up-and-down work
Vertical lures are great for deeper water and for working a precise area. When fish hold close to the bottom, that control matters.
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Vertical lures: https://jahikala.ee/collections/pustlandid
Mormyshka: when fish want a smaller bite
Mormyshka is often the “plan B” that becomes plan A on tough days. A good nod and patient pauses make a huge difference.
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Mormyshkas & jigs: https://jahikala.ee/collections/muskad-ja-marmossid
Size, weight and colour: keep your choices sane
Size: start mid-range, then go smaller or bigger
If you’re getting taps and follows but no proper takes, go smaller. If fish are clearly active and competing, try a bigger profile.
Weight: depth and wind decide
Deeper water and windy conditions favour a lure that keeps contact and stays “honest” under the hole. Shallow and clear often looks better with lighter, softer movement.
Colour: natural + contrast + one bold option
We like three colours in the box: one natural, one high-contrast, one “bold”. Sun and clear water usually favour calmer tones; low light and cloudy conditions often favour contrast.
Depth and action: one small change can turn the same lure into the right lure
A common perch mistake with a balance lure: fishing it too high
This is a classic one. People work a balance lure 20–30 cm off the bottom, perch shows up… and nothing happens. Often the fish sees it, but doesn’t want to rise, especially when it’s holding tight to the bottom.
Our simple fix: start lower. Drop your balance lure to about 5 cm off the bottom and work it there first. Very often you’ll get a completely different response. A useful rule of thumb: the closer to the bottom, the more often it works. If nothing happens, move up step-by-step — not the other way round.
Three rhythms we use
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Search rhythm: sharper lifts + pause (see if fish follows)
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Working rhythm: steadier tempo + shorter pauses
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Finesse rhythm: tiny movements + longer pauses (especially with mormyshka)
When bites stop: our “don’t overthink it” switching logic
We usually go in this order:
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change rhythm and pauses,
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change height (closer to bottom),
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change size,
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change lure type (balance → vertical → mormyshka).
Gear that helps lures work better
Control comes from your rod and how cleanly you can fish the lure.
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Ice reels: https://jahikala.ee/collections/talirullid
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Handy winter bits (incl. ice scoops, bait cones): https://jahikala.ee/collections/muu-talikalastus
Quick checklist before you start emptying your tackle box
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Choose the target (perch/pike/roach).
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Start with one “search” lure (balance or vertical) and keep a mormyshka as a finesse backup.
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Begin near the bottom, not high in the water.
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Change action before changing lures.
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If it’s only tapping, go smaller or finer.
FAQ
What’s the most “universal” winter lure?
A balance or vertical lure to search, plus a mormyshka for finesse when fish get picky.
Is a balance lure always better than a vertical lure?
No — balance helps you search and draw fish, vertical gives precision and control. Both have their days.
When is mormyshka the best choice?
When fish are passive, bites are light, or you’re getting follows without commits.
How high should I fish my lure?
Starting near the bottom is often the best move — for perch, around 5 cm off the bottom is a very reliable starting point.
If you want to keep it simple, pop into Jahikala Tartu and we’ll help you pick a small “core set” of 2–3 lures for your style: one for searching and one finesse backup.
