14 best balancers for ice fishing

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Rating of the best balancers for winter fishing

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best balancers for perch	1	Nils Master Jigger-2	445 RUB
	2	Kuusamo Tasapaino X-Pro	384 r
	3	Aqua jig-2 trapper	240 RUB
	4	Rapala W7	490 RUB
	5	Salmo lucky john 6	RUB 80
	6	Dixxon “Black Death”	199 RUB
The best balancers for pike	1	Scorana ICE FOX 55	198 RUB
	2	Nils Master Nisa 50	388 r
	3	RAPALA JIGGING RAP	RUB 160
	4	Lucky John Pro Series Mebaru 67	475 RUB
	5	Nils master jigging shad	258 r
The best balancers for zander	1	Kuusamo Tasapaino 75 mm	501 RUB
	2	Scorana Ice Crystal Mark 2 (80mm)	293 r
	3	Lucky john fin	134 r

The best balancers for perch

Nils Master Jigger-2

Rating: 4.9

A beautiful and very strong balancer from a Finnish company is the first contender for the title of the best in the rating. Its main feature is the presence of an elongated tee, which is necessary in the case of using the model as an ordinary vertical rod (vertical spoon). In general, the Jigger-2 is distinguished by a 70 mm body and a leisurely, more mannered game, which is equally attractive both for the perch and for the then passive pike. However, by the will of inexplicable things, the main catch of the model is mainly a nimble predator.

The range of this balancer includes 28 color options, each of which, in one way or another, has a semblance of light reflectors (glitter, corrugation, etc.). Thanks to the use of these constructive details, the effect of attraction by wiring is doubled, and even affects those predators that are at a considerable distance. Separately, it is worth highlighting the possibility of burying the Jigger-2 by 14 meters, which is an unattainable value for competitive models.

Advantages

• the alluring effect of the wiring is complemented by the effect of glare from the paint;
• low cost;
• high-quality performance;
• the ability to go deep to 14 meters;
• 28 options for color schemes;
• the presence of an elongated tee for using the balancer as a vertical spoon.

disadvantages

• not found.

Kuusamo Tasapaino X-Pro

Rating: 4.8

Timeless classics, capable of leaving out of business fresh developments from eminent competitors. The Kuusamo Tasapaino X-Pro is a very high quality version of the perch balancer, using alternative design parameters to increase the catch. The main difference of this model from the rest is the 'cast' connection of the shank and the body – the so-called plastic tail smoothly passes into the base metal. In addition to the absence of an obvious trace of gluing and sharp transitions in diameter, this step allows you to achieve a gradient from bright red to the actual color of the body.

As anglers note, the Kuusamo Tasapaino X-Pro 50 mm long models are the most suitable for fishing perch. They are moderately nimble, extremely beautiful, and also capable of withstanding significant loads on hooks. True, in some cases, it is these balancers that attract pike, moreover, quite large. And if the model itself is able to withstand the onslaught of a predator without problems, the line often breaks, leading to the loss of the bait. And, given its high cost, this is a tangible blow to the angler's wallet.

Advantages

• very high quality finish of the calf;
• a huge number of colors (more than 20 pieces);
• the tail is poured into a metal case;
• uniform play with the ability to accelerate / decelerate.

disadvantages

• attracts the attention of a trophy pike, which leads to frequent loss of balancer and initial costs.

Aqua jig-2 trapper

Rating: 4.8

A product made by a domestic company based in St. Petersburg, ranked for its outstanding performance in catching perch. Equipped with basic tee # 10, Trapper is able to dive to depths of 8 meters, provoking pike and zander slower in winter to attack. However, due to the increased activity of movement during posting, it is the perches that become the main 'audience' of the bite.

From the point of view of design, Aqua Jig-2 Trapper can be called beautiful – for domestically produced lures it is very good. There is no such abundance of colors, as, say, Kuusamo or Rapala, however, even without them, anglers manage to show a good catch. In combination with local advantages, this balancer is the cheapest in the selection, which is another reason for inclusion in the overall top. True, this moment has a small nuance: due to the cheapness, some batches of the model were supplied to the market with a defect in the rear hook. It was expressed in extreme fragility – it was possible to bend it and blunt it even against a crust of ice. Fortunately, the disadvantage was unique, and the craftsmen had already gotten used to eliminating it by soldering or local hardening.

Advantages

• the lowest price in the segment;
• active play with characteristic diving and planning;
• pleasant design;
• high efficiency of fishing in domestic reservoirs.

disadvantages

• marriage on a single rear hook.

Rapala W7

Rating: 4.7

The 70mm version of Rapala's catchy balancer is an expensive but high quality model for fishing perches and pike throughout the winter. In a similar fashion to the Kuusamo Tasapaino X-Pro, the W7's plastic shank is solidly soldered into the body, exposing wide side fenders for more interesting drive movement.

With a length of 70 millimeters, this balancer weighs 18 grams, providing smooth diving to depths of 8 meters inclusive. In this case, the tail serves as a balancer, alternately tilting the bait in one direction or the other. With this movement, an important role is assigned to the color scheme, mostly bright, with smooth gradient transitions from one color to another. As for the total number of colors, there are more than 50 of them – and absolutely each of them shows itself perfectly when wiring. The average price of the Rapala W7 is 450 rubles, which makes it one of the most expensive in this collection.

Advantages

• smooth movement in the water column;
• a colossal number of colors in the assortment (more than 50 pieces);
• the ability to go to a depth of 8 meters;
• very high quality performance.

disadvantages

• high price.

Salmo lucky john 6

Rating: 4.6

The 'kid' Lucky John 6 is a worthy representative of balancers for catching perch in the winter season, the peak productivity of which falls in December and January. It can go to a depth of up to 6 meters, from where pike and zander go very well, however, mostly small ones. The main factor for the effective performance of the model is the combination of color and movement. In the 'sixth' assortment, almost all schemes are a combination of bright colors that are clearly visible at great depths. In addition, the body has a certain relief – albeit not the most realistic, but sufficient to provide highlights on the sides.

In terms of movement, Salmo Lucky John 6 maintains an active play throughout the drive. The balancer can 'explode', slow down a little, but in general show a pace close to summer. It is for this reason that the main 'danger' for the bait comes from a more nimble perch than from pike and pike perch that were passive at that time. Adds 'sparkles' and the presence of a drop on the tee, which serves as a luring function at the moment the fish plunges vertically. It is inexpensive, but it provides excellent conditions for effective fishing and a fair amount of individual skill.

Advantages

• large deepening horizon (up to 6 meters);
• interesting colors in conjunction with the relief of the calf;
• an active game that attracts the attention of all predators of the reservoir;
• low cost.

disadvantages

• somewhat sloppy design.

Dixxon “Black Death”

Rating: 4.5

It is not known why the Black Death balancer from Dixxon got its name, but neither in the original color, nor in the form there is even a hint of this or that aspect. It is an elongated two-tone imitation of a fish of an extremely simple design, made of a rather heavy metal alloy. With a length of 65 millimeters, the model weighs 18 grams, which gives it not only a good load, but also somewhat affects the game when wiring.

In general, the movement of the 'Black Death' resembles a measured balanced spinning with smooth swaying in different planes. Such a slow game is very appealing to predatory fish during the starvation period, since they are often unable to keep up with a nimble little thing. Here, attacks happen very often, since the equipment with good hooks practically does not come off. The main prey of this balancer is perch, but there are also cases of catching pike perch and even trophy pike.

Advantages

• low price;
• even, calm movement, suitable for catching fish from ice;
• acceptable quality body kit;
• optimal weight distribution for a given shape.

disadvantages

• untidy design with sharp and uneven color transitions.

The best balancers for pike

Scorana ICE FOX 55

Rating: 4.9

The Scorana ICE FOX 55 is a versatile balancer, suitable for fishing passive pike during various periods of the winter season. It is distinguished by excellent stability of the game, regardless of the depth and speed of the current, which is important for provoking a sedentary predator to perform such an energy-consuming function. The main emphasis when coloring this bait was made on realism, bordering on the selection of bright provocative colors. So, anglers note the combination of a spotted green body with a red plastic tail, which causes aggression (or interest) of the fish even when moving at a considerable distance.

The length of the Scorana ICE FOX 55, as you might guess, is 55 millimeters, with a weight of 10 grams. These indicators allow the balancer to both stay in the upper horizon of the reservoir and dive to a considerable depth. Moreover, it is recommended to do this precisely in the middle of the season – at this time the predator focuses on deepening. Other advantages of the model include the presence of imitated scales throughout the body, as well as a high-quality body kit that provides good grip in any situation.

Advantages

• optimal combination of price and build quality;
• stable unhurried game during posting, suitable for catching a slow predator;
• realistic colors that arouse interest from river fish.

disadvantages

• not found.

Nils Master Nisa 50

Rating: 4.8

Nils Master Nisa 50 is a model that successfully plays with the shape of a plump, slow fry. With a length of 50 millimeters, its weight is 12 grams, which is an excellent overall balance, important for an attractive game. Due to the action of the stabilizing lateral fins, this 'baby' makes very smooth and measured movements during the drive, clearly demonstrating vulnerability to a smashing attack. However, for the sake of playing on the reflexes of a predator, Nisa is able to 'explode', adequately responding to the acceleration of the posting and bringing the alleged trophy into a kind of affective state. Further actions are a matter of exceptional technique.

The assortment of the model range of the balancer includes 16 colors, each of which is distinguished by brightness and an abundance of gradient transitions. In addition, the model's only ventral tee has a drop to attract fish early in the dive. The only drawback of the Nisa 50 is its high price, which contrasts with its compact size.

Advantages

• great game with the ability to abruptly change the tempo;
• sharp tee with a bright alluring drop;
• 16 colors in the assortment of the line;
• optimal sizes for fishing pike, perch and zander;
• high quality production.

disadvantages

• high price for the model.

RAPALA JIGGING RAP

Rating: 4.8

One of the largest series of balancers from the Latvian company Rapala, which includes six standard sizes at once. However, as in all lines, for pike fishing (from small to trophy), the most preferable models are 70 and 90 millimeters. Their mass is 18 and 25 grams, respectively, which determines healthy interest from the toothed predator and pike perch, which are popular in domestic reservoirs.

In general, the movement of the Jigging Rap is reduced to measuring loops and a smooth return to a calm state. Such a change in rhythm somewhat confuses the attacking fish, catching them by surprise. This explains the extremely high efficiency of the balancer in both winter and summer seasons. These models do not have any problems with hooks, since only one movable tee is installed on them. Which, however, does not affect the number of retirements, which, according to the fishermen, is extremely small. Despite the high cost, the bait has no obvious drawbacks, compensating for the acquisition costs with durability and the above-mentioned efficiency.

Advantages

• optimal combination of price and quality;
• good selection of weight for dimensions;
• persistent color that does not disappear for several seasons of frequent fishing;
• high degree of durability;
• an ornate movement that plays against the reflexes of a predator.

disadvantages

• not found.

Lucky John Pro Series Mebaru 67

Rating: 4.7

Respected in fishing circles Japanese balancer, specially designed for seasonal pike fishing from ice or from the side of a boat in the summer. Despite the 67-millimeter-long body cast from lead, the Mebaru has a fairly acceptable weight of 18 grams. This is facilitated by the presence of a plastic shank, the weight of which is insignificant, and the increase in size is noticeable. Thanks to it, this model can make sharp turns, provoked by a change in the direction of the wiring. Such movements usually do not go unnoticed: in combination with bright colors, a sharply moving fish becomes just an ideal target for an attack.

An important feature of Mebaru is the presence of three holes for the fishing line on the dorsal fin, thanks to which the balancer radically changes the playing style (depending on the fishing conditions). Two Owner hooks are responsible for the hook, located on the abdomen and tail. This arrangement allows you to increase the likelihood of a successful sweep when biting, but at the same time increases the number of 'blank' holds in the grassy area. In general, the Japanese lure from Lucky Pro shows an excellent result on the water, for which it rightfully occupies a line in the ranking of the best.

Advantages

• alluring appearance;
• universal dimensions for catching small and trophy fish;
• the presence of two movable tees from the Owner company;
• the ability to change the game of the balancer during wiring (due to the holes in the back).

disadvantages

• increased probability of snagging (due to a pair of installed tees);
• quite high cost.

Nils master jigging shad

Rating: 4.6

The unique Jigging Shad was produced by Nils Master back in 1998. As a representative of the 'shads', he was the flagship of the line, standing out among other models (Junior Shad and Baby Shad) in overall dimensions. With a length of 70 millimeters, this lure weighs 23 grams, thanks to which it goes to depth with a balanced speed.

Originally prepared for pike perch and big perch, the Jigging Shad has suddenly become a favorite lure for river pike and is extremely active with this balancer. Its distinctive feature is the presence of 22 colors in the series, some of which emit a glow when fishing at dusk or early morning. A small hump on the back, coupled with a transparent tail, gives the model a bouncing motion that allows you to describe a large radius within the drilled hole. Such a balancer is quite expensive, but it is highly efficient and reliable.

Advantages

• 22 official colors, some of which are fluorescent;
• large radius of movement within the hole;
• high quality tees components;
• good lure efficiency for pike.

disadvantages

• high price.

The best balancers for zander

Kuusamo Tasapaino 75 mm

Rating: 4.9

A refined balancer of Finnish origin, which has long and firmly taken the leading place in the category of bait for fishing zander. As with Scorana's Ice Crystal Mark 2, the Tasapaino has a plastic stem to create shearing forces when moving through the water. True, there is one small nuance associated with its design: while the tails of the competitive balancer are adjusted to the general color scheme, here (regardless of color) they are all transparent or have a red tint.

The 75mm model weighs 18 grams, allowing for smooth penetration into the horizons required for catching large zander. An important feature of the little body is the presence of corrugations that bring the simulated model closer to the real prototype. The defiantly sharp plastic of movements creates an annoying background for predators, attracting their attention even from a long distance. Kuusamo Tasapaino confidently ranks among the most efficient balancers in the entire fishing segment, enlisting the support of thousands of satisfied consumers around the world.

Advantages

• body parameters, sharpened for sharp, maneuverable movements over a wide radius;
• optimal combination of price and quality;
• the presence of corrugation over the entire area of ​​the body;
• strong fittings with a high hook rate;
• attractive coloration complete with a transparent or reddish tail;
• distinguishing performance at depth;
• high popularity among domestic fishermen.

disadvantages

• not found.

Scorana Ice Crystal Mark 2 (80mm)

Rating: 4.8

A clockwork balancer with a wide body and 3D eyes, which got into the rating due to its good catchability registered in domestic reservoirs. The line of these fish includes much larger run-ups in size than its competitor from Lucky John. The smallest model has a length of 40 millimeters and is used mainly for fishing perch and pike on the shallows. In turn, the 'giant' of the series is characterized by a mass of 32 grams and 80 millimeters in length, which makes it excellent for fishing large pike perch.

The tail section of the 80mm Ice Crystal Mark 2 is a powerful splitter of the water column, pointed downwards and provoking measured but confident movement of the balance bar at depth. As practice shows, this type and pace of play has a relaxing effect on predators, forcing them to blindly follow the bait to carry out a smashing attack. From the point of view of cost, this model fits very organically into the rank of budget baits, showing results of a consistently high level.

Advantages

• optimal combination of price and quality;
• challenging colors that work at great depths;
• equipment with quality fittings;
• good depth indicators;
• original design of the tail section;
• the presence of 3D eyes.

disadvantages

• not found.

Lucky john fin

Rating: 4.7

The originality of Lucky John's Fin balancers lies in slightly altered body parameters, flattened from the back and abdomen, which gives it a wider shape. Due to this, a planning effect is achieved, which helps to fish much larger areas within the framework of fishing from the hole, as well as attract a predator by measuring movement in the water column.

Within the Fin series, there are three standard-size models at once, weighing from 4 to 15 grams and lengths from 30 to 50 millimeters, respectively. In addition, the range includes balancers with pre-installed tees (with and without a drop), with the same dimensions and weight indicators. In general, the difference in length has almost no effect on aspects of the game, leaving the planning concept the same for all fish in the series. Only their color, which contains both monochromatic colors and smooth gradients of two, or even three, colors, undergoes a dramatic change. Mostly pike perch are caught on Kucky John Fin, although pike, large perch, and rotan are often biting.

Advantages

• three standard sizes of balancers in the series;
• acceptable cost;
• the presence of models equipped with tees (simple, with a drop);
• interesting colors: monochromatic with a gradient of several colors according to the 'abdomen / back' and 'head / tail' patterns.

disadvantages

• not detected

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.