First, consider the metabolism and general nature of fish. They are cold-blooded creatures with limited feeding requirements and considerable wariness under these conditions. The active feeding window under the ice is small, perhaps less than an hour, maybe once a day, and typically under lowlight conditions or ahead of an approaching front.

At other times, the fish are simply hangin' out in a negative, or at best, neutral feeding attitude. Although these fish don't want to eat, they will strike at something nearby that is irresistible. The new soft plastics have this characteristic, with little animation of the lure required by the angler.

Trying to hold the rod perfectly still will often generate crushing strikes as these lures exude a lifelike fluttering action, even when essentially "deadsticked." There are times when constant animation is what it takes to trigger strikes. When this is the case, the fish you catch tend to run a little larger, perhaps because movement of the bait intimidates smaller panfish.

Although it is often possible to look down the hole and see how fish are responding to various techniques, the shadow of a big pumpkin-pie face or an ice shanty can often cause survival instinct to override striking response in shallow-water situations.

I like using a 48-inch graphite rod with a coiled spring bobber at the tip on 1/2-pound-test Berkley Micro-Ice Line with a small horizontal-presentation ice jig and plastic tail generally fished above electronic blips on the Vexilar FL-18 flasher. Although perch will readily attack ice jigs fished at their level, bluegills and especially crappies like to ambush from below. A sensitive flasher will telegraph this attack before it can be detected on the most sensitive spring bobber or float.

Most of the time, panfish want their potential dinner presented in a horizontal orientation. Some ice-fly designs -- like the Marmooska, Genz Worm and Lindy Fat Boy -- will remain in a horizontal orientation without need to adjust the knot. The Marmooska is my favorite bait under most shallow-water conditions, with the Fat Boy great in deeper water because it "fishes heavy." Other "killer" lures like the Demon and venerable Rat Finkee often see the knot slide around in response to gravity when a fish is lifted out of the hole, requiring adjustment before you go after another fish.

In clear water, I've had much better luck with dark colors like black, purple, Kelly green or gold. Orange, chartreuse, pink, glow and fluorescents tend to work better when visibility is less than 3 feet.

Plastic bait profile and color choice is equally important, with innovations continuing at breakneck speed. I can hardly wait to get on the ice with the latest evolution of Lindy Munchie Tiny Tails -- the main reason I swore off live bait forever in 2004. Back in 2003, Lindy president Ted Takasaki listened to his pro-staffers and introduced new colors, scents and bait profiles into the company's fledgling line of winter plastics.

"Lindy has always been a company run by anglers who listen to anglers," Takasaki said. "The new shapes and colors have been good for the company and anglers alike."

Lindy markets their Munchie Tiny Tails in four different bait profiles -- split, spade, nail and micro-minnow. Although black- and purple-colored baits are consistent producers, the red tails that resemble bloodworms have won me several friendly wagers with dedicated larvae users.

The latest evolution is permeated with fish-attracting scent, creating a plastic lure that is approaching near perfection.

In a coldwater environment with plenty of time to ponder the world around them, panfish prefer a natural presentation. A wax worm that is impaled sideways on a hook after multiple encounters with fish simply doesn't hold the appeal of a molded plastic bait.

Another appeal of plastics is the ability to stash them in a compartment of your ice jig box, right beside your favorite ice jigs, with no need to scavenge through sawdust to find your next bait.

Ah yes, the sawdust. The only thing more aggravating than seeing your bait freeze into a snowsnake rattle call is having a brisk breeze sprinkle sawdust in your eyes while trying to bait up. There is a better way to ice a nice mess of panfish. And the constantly evolving technology of soft plastics is a critical component in the fast-growing sport of ice-fishing.