Thread: Is anyone catching any red ear on Kentucky or Barkley Lake?

what size hook head 1/16th

Originally Posted by kyfishman

pab1981 is right. It is the G22 or Cunningham jig. You will find all of the Grizzly Jigs on Grizzly Jig Company. I have most of the colors the jig comes in, but as I mentioned...most of the time I use the Cunningham or the same jig with a green instead of white head (can't think of the actual name right now). These two jigs, for some reason, really appeal to shellcrackers. And Pappy, the main difference from the "popeye" jig and the "Grizzly" is the shape of the head. The popeye ties just like most crappie jigs but Louie Mansfield uses a fly hook in a very small size for the Grizzly. This hook has a horizontal eye instead of a verticle eye (best way I know to explain it) and allows him to tie the jigs in 1/64th and even smaller sizes. This I know for sure.....they are murder on bluegill and redear. I've not used a piece of "live" bait in years and years.

I have never in my life caught a redear on these jigs you guys speak of. I've bought the Ky Lake redear bug and have it in my tackle box, I've never had the confidence to use it. I catch all of my redear on redworms and can't imagine they would hit a jig.

How do you guys fish these jigs? Under a cork on the bottom?

Troy, I use a popeye jig a lot. This year the bluegill have responded better to a drop shot and red worm for me.

My top 4-5 redear have all came off a popeye or spider bug with a wax worm. I fish a popeye some under the tiniest slip bobber that will stay afloat when the jig is off the bottom. The 2 pound 3 oz male I caught a couple years back was on a popeye/wax worm/slip float.

Jack Devor has caught tons of redears over the years using a tiny pear-shaped plastic bobber that will sink under the weight of the jig. He casts it to water shallower than his slip rig then works it to deeper water. When the bobber sinks, he knows he is in water deeper than he wants to be.

Thank you, Doug. I've been wanting to try the plastics because frankly, I'm TIRED of having wormy hands and a wormy boat.

Plus, I know they catch big redear.

I've been using hair jigs tipped with waxworms for gills and red ears now for well over twenty years. I even started tying my own patterns now. Got a killer bluegill pattern with a touch of silver in it that's putting some of everything in the box.

I always use a 1/32nd oz roadrunner with a chartreuse body and black curly tail as a search bait. Use an ultra light spinning rod and 4 lb. test. I have done well from Moors Marina to the Britton Ford boat ramp using this set up ! Just throw it up on the bank and slow roll it back......

When covering water to find fish I'll use a drop shot rig tipped with a piece of redworm or waxworm. Once I find them I'll move to a slip bobber and 1/16-1/32oz tipped jig. I prefer they popeyes because that's what my grandfather and my father who taught me used. I am playing around with waggler floats a little this year and have been surprised at how many fish I'm catching that pick up on the bait versus taking it under or sideways. I'm by no means switching over completely because it's a little bit of work getting them weighted correctly, but they're definitely more sensitive.

Originally Posted by Inspector Mike

I always use a 1/32nd oz roadrunner with a chartreuse body and black curly tail as a search bait. Use an ultra light spinning rod and 4 lb. test. I have done well from Moors Marina to the Britton Ford boat ramp using this set up ! Just throw it up on the bank and slow roll it back......

Exactly what I do when trying to find new bedding areas. Even down to the same color combo.