Jigging spoons like this Forage Minnow by Northland Fishing Tackle can help prompt bites from sluggish midwinter perch. Photo by Noel Vick.

"To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction," professes the Third Law of Motion. Quite evidently, Sir Isaac Newton never found himself authenticating classical mechanics while scratching out a meal of panfish in mid-February. Had that been the case, he might not have survived to see the spring of 1689.

We've all been there, lending ample action to a lure with no return on the backside. Where was the reciprocation? You put the ball in motion. The fish put on the brakes.

Fortunately, ice-fishing has scientists too -- guys who are committed to understanding and explaining earthly physics, while simultaneously keeping panfish from disturbing the natural order of things.

Tony Boshold boasts ice-fishing's version of a PhD in Applied Physics. The application component relates to how he applies his findings to figuring out fish -- and sluggish midwinter panfish in particular. He opens the discourse by speaking specifically to lakes on the southern fringe of the Ice Belt -- his home ice.

"Midwinter means different things in different areas," said Boshold, who is one of the central figures in the ice-fishing-based reality television show, "Ice Men." "To me, in northern Illinois, midwinter is February. There are 15 inches of ice on the lakes, maybe a little more or less depending on the year. Some weeds are up, some are down. Panfish will be in them either way."

Now springboard to our other virtual fish physiologist, Brian "Bro" Brosdahl. His definition of midwinter falls within the same time -- February. But in northern Minnesota, the geographic core of the Ice Belt, ice thicknesses will be double, perhaps triple what Boshold encounters. Moreover, "basin bites" are commonplace.

On Boshold's local lakes, like much of the southern tier, basin bites are basically a non-factor. "We don't see that classic deep-water winter migration. Panfish don't generally move out and suspend over deep water. Either there's no deep spot to go or they decide it's safer in the shallow weeds."

So, to Boshold, dead of winter translates into rummaging around in the weeds -- live and dead, green and brown. "Bluegills, crappies and perch will stay in the shallows all winter long, even if that means holding in rotten weeds."

In February, not only are anglers dealing with a period when fish are traditionally less enthusiastic about life, but now they're scattered and drifting about inconspicuously.

In Boshold's world, that's a recipe for reconnaissance: "You need to pick apart the weedbeds. Find lanes. Find holes. Check every side of every clump."

The mentality behind the madness is that Boshold knows fish don't move much in the throes of winter. They're less likely to find him, so he goes to them -- or, perhaps more aptly, he fishes through them.

Boshold employs what he calls "Power Fishing" -- pulling raucous crankbaits at a fast pace over wide swaths of water. During winter's worst, he power fishes through the weeds, not coaxing comatose fish into biting, but rather staying fleet-footed and chasing feeders.

Locating fish begins by dissecting fields of green. A StrikeMaster as his surgical tool, Boshold slices a sampling of holes, three to five steps between each, leaving no stones unturned. Quickly, he lowers a MarCum underwater camera to assess the surroundings.

Fishing fairly fast and with undeniably large offerings, Boshold maneuvers a Northland Fishing Tackle Forage Minnow Spoon up and down the water column. The meaty, minnow-like vertical presentation causes an uproar on its way down. Sometimes, the unaided baitfish profile sparks a sleepy fish to strike. If baiting is in order -- meaning they approach but don't slam the spoon --Boshold sticks a single maggot on each of the three barbs. Perch, crappies and bluegills will fire at the baitfish-inspired lure. The Swedish Pimple is a fine alternative, as is the Little Atom Bug Eye Spoon.