Fish Decoy?

[ClintB]

I found this in a tackle box I bought. I've never had or used a fish decoy but I believe that is what this is . Seems to be made of aluminum of some type with a bit of lead at the head area.

[philaroman]

downrigger [not]ball

[akfish]

People fishing for sturgeon under the ice in Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, use decoys like that to attract sturgeon so they can spear them. It's called "Winnebago TV" by locals because you sit in a shelter over a large square hole in the ice. The fishing is typically slow so a few beers are occasi0jally consumed while watching that TV...

[philaroman]

now, that's cool!

so, you'd probably know how the "ice pike hooks" are used...
what's the advantage of that shape?  chunk/dead-whole positioning?
mushy, dead chubs stay on better?   ...thanks

[Gfish]

How big is that thing? Guy's trolling for pelagic's use some kinda flying fish decoy.

[ClintB]

How big is that thing?

It's 10 in. Long and 1 1/2 in. tall at the head.

[Jimmer]

That's a smelt hook, used for ice fishing pike on a tip up with a dead smelt. I don't think they are still legal in Wisconsin.  -  Jimmer