Jigs or minnows

[fishinhunter]

I went out today and the place I normally buy minnows was closed. Rather than drive around looking for a place to buy some...I decided to hit the lake armed only with the jigs I had in my box. Looking back I think that might have been a big mistake.

I found plenty of schools...but I didn't get a single bit in 6 hours of fishing. I worked them slow 0.1 to 0.3 MPH. I dragged them right through bunches of fish (spider rigging) and I got my butt kicked. Eventually I decided to take my cast net and try to lasso some minnows. That failed too...I caught a bunch of great catfish bait...some really nice threadfin shad...but after about 30 throws I had a single, laughable minnow.

With the day fading I decided to try one more spot with my jigs and a newly acquired minnow. I trolled through several really nice schools (as verified by my Humminbird units) and the only line that got hit was the lone minnow...and he got nailed by a small blue cat.

Did I make a huge mistake trying to use jigs this time of year? Or was today just not my day to get bit?

[satdoc1]

Just not your day. Jigs tipped with minners was the key today.

[Cray]

Don't know about today, but next time faced with that situation take them shad, cut up in small chunks and tip your jig with them. That shad will get em going.

[fishinhunter]

Don't know about today, but next time faced with that situation take them shad, cut up in small chunks and tip your jig with them. That shad will get em going.

Thanks...that NEVER crossed my mind...never would have either.

[KDAVID1]

Just not your day. Jigs tipped with minners was the key today.

The jigs u use are a little different :D

[bird down]

Are u the guy at the ramp that asked me where the baitshop was? I hope not. I thought I gave good directions and it wasn't too far from the ramp.

[fishinhunter]

Are u the guy at the ramp that asked me where the baitshop was? I hope not. I thought I gave good directions and it wasn't too far from the ramp.

Not me.

[RTJ214]

I caught 30 today fishing from 2pm till about 430 on jigs...not spider rigged.They were holding on a brush pile next to a creek channel 18-22 ft.My jigs were 12ft. I like jigs this time of year.

[Pops]

I caught 30 today fishing from 2pm till about 430 on jigs...not spider rigged.They were holding on a brush pile next to a creek channel 18-22 ft.My jigs were 12ft. I like jigs this time of year.

Had your fishing spot had the water level dropped 20' in the past couple of months? It's tough to find structure on the COE lakes right now.

[27458]

Well, I'm convinced a plain jig just doesn't work very well this time of year. I've only used minnows on a rare occasion but next trip I'm definitely converting over to a jig tipped with a minnow. I don't really like the trolling gig. Even this time of year, I drift like trolling but hold my poles. Love to feel the thump! I guess they have too much of the real thing schooled up to be eating plain plastic.