Lakelink says about 4 inches. I've seen some guys out on the main lake, but I would guess Butch's Bay and the Cutoff would be safer, if not more crowded.

Not looking for a patent, or particularly to sell them, other than a few here and there. I don't like having to make stuff, it takes all the fun out of it.

That's why they make lots of styles and colors of every kind of bait, everyone has a preference. I just prefer having an eye on my spinnerbaits, so I make them that way. I'd never heard of the line tangle thing, but it does make sense. Thanks for the insight and the compliment.

Actually, I do live in Wisconsin, so they will get extensively tested in Wisconsin lakes and rivers this summer. I grew up in the back woods hunting and fishing and started fly tying when I was 10 years old, so making and creating stuff is nothing new. If you're ever coming through Menomonie, let me know, I might have something for you.

I'm not really looking to sell any yet. I haven't even had a chance to see if they work, and I won't sell an untested lure. Maybe sometime in the future.

I agree. I don't know why they think it is so hard to put one twist in a wire. Just one of the advantages of making my own stuff, I can make it any way I want to suit my fishing needs.

Not interested in a patent or mass producing them, I just like making and using them.

Started making these about a month ago, can't wait to try them. Has a free floating 4/0 EWG worm hook instead of the standard hook, so it can be rigged weedless and puts the hook where the fish actually tend to strike. Plus, it lets the swimbait/fluke/etc. to move in more natural way.

I still have several, but only use the one on my ultralight. I prefer the instant anti-reverse vs the bail having to come all the way back around when setting the hook.

The Gulp Alive 1" minnow is also a great choice through the ice, or under a float in summer.

What part of western WI? I am in Menomonie. You can get by with a hand auger, it depends on how thick the ice is and how many holes you plan to drill. I have an ION and love it. I also pulled my shoulder out of joint using a hand auger a few years ago, so I just don't use them anymore. Once there is more than about 6-8 inches of ice, drilling holes by hand gets old in a hurry, and will limit how much you want to move around, which will limit your ability to catch fish. Like any fishing, you can make it as complicated or as simple as you want, and you will probably catch at least some fish. When I was a kid, I could carry everything I needed in a 5 gallon bucket, now I pull a one man CLAM with a bunch of stuff in it.

This is what a double looks like. Not the best picture, but you get the idea. Those are perch, but I have done it with bluegill and crappie both. I make my own jigs, but you can use whatever you have. Tie the top jig with a long tag end and tie the other jig to that. I find that being able to fish 2 depths at once is a big advantage what ice fishing.

It's about the same in Wisconsin, with the only other requirement being that you use the panfish on the lake where you caught them.

I use the Wiggle Wog instead of a frog type, they have great action and are about as weedless as you can get. They also come in lots of colors, including frog colors.

Nice selection of styles and colors, you should be all set. I would call them fresh water, but you could change the hooks and go salt water. Looks like you have about every depth covered, and maybe even a countdown model, it's hard to tell from the picture. They would go for $7-$8, new in the box, but I'm sure you could get at least $5 apiece, since they look unused. Good luck!