Bait question

Ok so I really want to catch blue gills and crappie off rubber jigs. Well I tried with and without a bobber and the jigging tips i cant even get a bite, i caught a bass one time.

Some people say to tip jigs with stuff but then the fish are really going for your live bait rather than the jig itself?

My question.

How do I catch crappie and blue gill ( small ones ) In 1 to 2 foot of water on small rubber jigs.

How should i reel in the jig? Should I use a bobber? what? I'm just so sick of useing live bait for blue gills and crappie.

Thanks

ALSO

is it safe to take maggot out of a rotting fish and use them as bait? Is this just if your not grossed out by it or can they really get you sick.

All you have to do is add a half inch piece of worm or a Berkley crappie nibble to your rigged jig for scent. Good Luck

For bluegill, I think a jig tipped with something will usually outdo a plain jig. For crappie, I usually use a plain jig but will occasionally tip it with a crappie nibble.

Make sure your jig is small enough for BG. I wouldn't use anything bigger that 1/32 oz.

I would use a float in water that shallow -- something like a Thill Shy Bite or Mini Stealth.

I use maggots a lot, but I wouldn't use them fresh off the meat. You should clean them first by putting them in some sawdust or corn meal.

Finally, you should try fly fishing in shallow water. A popper or popper-and-nymph combo would be deadly.

How does that clean the maggots fresh off rotting meat, without still it be hazordus to touch.

And thanks for the tip.

It absorbs the grease, ammonia, etc.

It's easier to just order some maggots. Click on the Grubco link above and look for spikes (common name for maggots.) Another good source is:

www.vadosbait.com

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Originally Posted by amren

Ok so I really want to catch blue gills and crappie off rubber jigs. Well I tried with and without a bobber and the jigging tips i cant even get a bite, i caught a bass one time.

Some people say to tip jigs with stuff but then the fish are really going for your live bait rather than the jig itself?

My question.

How do I catch crappie and blue gill ( small ones ) In 1 to 2 foot of water on small rubber jigs.

How should i reel in the jig? Should I use a bobber? what? I'm just so sick of useing live bait for blue gills and crappie.

Thanks

ALSO

is it safe to take maggot out of a rotting fish and use them as bait? Is this just if your not grossed out by it or can they really get you sick.

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Fly fish with a rubber spider in shallow water. Tip jig with Berkley nibbles in 1/16oz. Retreve real slow. Good fishing.

I agree with Disco, a flyrod in shallow water is hard to beat. It dosn't have to be a $500 combo either, I've seen them for $40 that would get the job done. If you don't like it you can use the rod for a dipping rod.

For 2 to 3 feet of water I like to use a bettle spin type spinner on my jig. As far as the maggots go, I would be no use to you:eek:, those things are on my do not touch list;)

The very best bluegill bait I've ever found, bar none, is a little jig called the Grizzly Jig made by the Louie Mansfield's Grizzly Jig Company in Carruthersville, Missouri. The jigs are 1/80 in size. I first met Louie nearly 30 yrs ago fishing for bluegill on Reelfoot Lake in TN. He gave me a few of the jigs and I was sold on them. Since then I have caught literally thousands of big bluegill all over the country on these little jigs. I fish them either under a small bobber (which I think is the best way) or just casting with no bobber. You can catch bluegill on grizzlies with tipping them, but I usually tip my grizzly with a small piece of Berkley Power Wiggler (much better than crappie nibbles for bluegill). You can check out Grizzly Jigs at www.grizzlyjig.com. Like I said, I've never seen anything that can touch them when it comes to catching bluegill. They come in a variety of colors. I particularly like the one called "the Cunningham" which is white, black, and red. Good Fishin'

A small black mini microspoon will work very well. Tipped or not. I fish it under a small float. If the bite is tough i tip with a nibble or maggot. I've had 200 fish days using this setup. ( i'd never keep that many tho ):p