Cannot go wrong with a jig and a minnow. Ice fishing I just use minnows on tip ups usually. Have been getting into jigging over the years with out much luck but the jigging rap style baits and buckshot have been the best for me with the Hali jigs as good perch baits. Open water I troll in the boat and use mainly worm harnesses, early spring smiley blades work the best for me then I use them all summer long with blades as well. Have found the Dakota blades work well here as well as the deep cut Colorado blades. Just depends on water temp, clarity, and speed they want it trolled at to what I put on. Been trying cranks and really like the flicker shade, since they are more in my price range, still hate losing them so do not troll them in beating the bottom but heard good things about that just would rather lose harnesses and bottom bouncer that I make a lot cheaper than the cranks.
