Jigs versus Minnows Discussion Again (Sorry)

**Shad** · 06-29-2018, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by beaujames05

I find Jigs to be far superior during the mid summer when fishing in the brush. I have found that putting a minnow above the brush in the heat of the summer isn't as effective as dropping the jig in the brush.

I usually take both. One of my favorite things to do is put a jig on the bottom and tie 1 hook 12" to 18" above the jig using a polymar knot. The hook is in line. You can put a minnow above the jig. This does a few things. The minnow will give your jig movement. Also the Jig helps stabilize the minnow from swimming around in the brush causing additional hangups. Also the weight of the jig will help pulling the minnow hook down out of the brush if you get the hook tangled.

Drop the Jig into the brush with the minnow above it. I do not pop the jig up and down. I rely on the minnow to move the jig for me. Popping the jig will get you hung on brush because of false-positive sense to set the hook. Use crappie nibbles and you will almost always get a second strike to set the jig hook. Once you get a crappie on the line, keep the line taught and pull them out quickly to prevent tangling in the brush.

I have pretty good success with this method year round whether I am fishing off the docks or 20 feet deep in brush piles. I also use braided line due to the fact that you can normally bend the hooks out of the brush vs breaking the line. This is the double threat as you are fishing with minnows and jigs on the same line. You will find their preference. And if you do not have minnows, you can put a plastic body on the minnow hook with a crappie nibble and that works too.

Interesting. Will have to give this a try. What size braid do you use? Is it high viz yellow braid? Also, what size jig do you use at the bottom of the rig? Thanks

**brettw** · 06-29-2018, 12:13 PM

I went this morning.
Pulling cranks, got 5
Casting jigs and sitting right on top with jigs, got 0

I’ll take 2 dozen minnows next time

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**pab1981** · 06-30-2018, 05:56 AM

Originally Posted by Shad

I know that the minnow versus jigs discussion has been here many times. Sorry but I want to talk about it again. And yes, I know there are a lot of opinions on the subject and would like to hear them again.

I spider rig and vertical single pole fish for crappie in brush piles and stake beds a lot on Kentucky Lake (2-3 days a week) around the Big Sandy area. I have got to the point that I am always using minnows. I know I can catch them on minnows almost anytime I go. However, I also own tons of jig heads and jig bodies in all colors and variations. I have just lost my confidence in jig fishing over the last couple of years. I think it has to do a lot with the wind always blowing on Ky Lk and finicky fish that get heavy pressure. At least that is my excuse. Plus my bass fishing background causes me to want to move the jig more than it should be moved and I don't get many bites. How do you guys jig fish in a lake like Kentucky Lake? Do you just hold the rod perfectly still at the brush pile and how do you have confidence that you have the right color, etc? Also, how do you do that when the wind is always blowing you around and waves bouncing you?

I have tried going out with just jigs so I can't use minnows. Between the wind, wondering which color and size to use out of thousands I have, I struggle and wish I had minnows. I usually just get bored quickly and abandon it and start bass fishing until I can go get some minnows. LOL.

Can someone explain to me in easy to understand terms on how you catch crappie with a jig? I am tired of having to find and buy minnows every trip and then keep them alive.

I fish Ky/Barkley also, always vertical jigging no trolling and haven't caught a fish on minnows in years. The whole fish bite minnows some days and won't touch a jig is way overblown. The bottom line is if you want to gain confidence jig fishing you have to do it. Jig and jig head color is very important as is scents at times. I also like heavy jigs, at least 3/16oz. Makes it a lot easier to feel what is going on in the wind and you will catch just as many fish as with lighter jigs if you are vertical jigging.

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**deathb4disco** · 06-30-2018, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by pab1981

The bottom line is if you want to gain confidence jig fishing you have to do it.

This ^^^^^

Thread: Jigs versus Minnows Discussion Again (Sorry)

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