As temperatures continue to plummet across the country, many people are panicking and reaching for parkas, but ice fishermen in the Midwest and northern states are grinning with excitement about what this winter has to offer. has to offer. Ice anglers know that a good tackle can bring about a great day of ice fishing and can withstand the harsh conditions associated with ice fishing. That’s why they look to Al’s lures, which have been a staple on harsh winter waters for over 70 years.
The original lure the company started with and remains one of the most popular in their line, the Al’s Goldfish is a spoon that when moved reflects light and shines throughout the water. This popular lure has proven its worth for seventy years and is still a modern staple in every ice angler’s tackle box. Its proven versatility to catch a wide variety of fish is also why it has been on several lists of the best fishing lures of all time. The Goldfish Ice Jig is a 3/16 oz. lure body mounted with a single hook in the nose. The lure comes with an optional red flasher tab and is available in a wide range of colors for all angling opportunities.
Resembling a hellgrammite, Al’s Helgy is 1-3/4 inches long and weighs 1/4 oz. It is plated with 22k gold, nickel or copper and comes in a variety of painted colors. Al’s Helgy flutters on the drop when moving, making it a good scoop for traversing ice. The ice fishing version of Al’s Helgy comes with a glow-in-the-dark nose for added attraction.
Another Al lure that has proven effective and is quite a popular choice with ice anglers is Al’s Forty Niner, which comes in two versions. The original Forty Niner, weighing in at 5/16 oz. and measuring 2 ¼ inches long, it is effective for targeting walleye and other larger species. The smallest version, the Lil’ 49er, weighs ¼ ounce and is 1 ¾-inch long, making it a staple for bass, trout, and panfish. The design of these lures creates a rather erratic action when activated, encouraging you to look at your fish finder waiting for the next attack.
If you like Al’s icing stencil selection option, Al’s offers the option to build your own glow kit that comes with four icing stencils of your choice. Glow-in-the-dark paint can be a key feature for ice fishing, as ice makes the water much darker (especially on cloudy days). This kit is a great option to test each jig and find which one you like best and works best for your target fish, or you may like them all equally.
All of Al’s lure products are proudly made in the United States. To order or learn more about Al’s Goldfish Lure Company, visit www.alsgoldfish.com or call 413-543-1524 and they will be happy to assist you.
Grab your rod and Al’s lures and get ready for a fun and eventful day on the ice!
About Al’s Goldfish Lure Company
The company launched in 1952 with a single pioneering spoon lure, known as Stuart’s Goldfish, named after founder Al Stuart. The company’s flagship lure was renamed Al’s Goldfish in 1954, and by 1973 the popularity of the Goldfish lure skyrocketed to nearly a million lures sold in a year. Along the way, other popular lures, such as the Forty-Niner and Helgy, and hook-bonnet lure accessories were added to the company’s list of American-made products. In 2015 the line was expanded to include the Saltwater Goldfish series. In 2022, current owners Jeff and Mandy DeBuigne celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Goldfish lure. For more information on Al’s Goldfish Lure Company, visit www.alsgoldfish.com