Switching tactics

As most of you know I’m a diehard micro jig fisherman.
I love twitching micro jigs on my short ultralight rods .
But last week’s meetup fishing trip made me realize I was going to have to change tactics to reach and catch the bigger shellcracker I’m sure are lurking among the rocky point I’ve been fishing .
I know of two areas that hold nice crackers and both of them are located in an area that has high banks 6-8’ . Too high for my net unless I can figure out how to extend the handle without adding too much bulk .

I’ve been playing around with 3# P-line Floroclear, longer (6’) rods and 1/32 jigs . Most of the rods are TFO .
I may tie a few 1/32 handties , but the plan right now is to fish small plastics . Trout magnets and 1” curlytails .
I wish the hooks were smaller on the 1/32 jigs I have . It won’t hurt as bad losing poured leadhead jigs compared to my tungsten bead jigs . About 1/3 the cost .
Testing the heavier jigs on the 12” longer rods with a line that will let me carefully swing a one pound panfish , i was able to extend my casting distance by 25’+ .
That alone will open up some new water next week .
Even trout magnets and 1/64 jigheads and TM bodies were casting farther than my .5g micros .
Hope it works . My fishing buddy has beat me in the numbers game twice lately with me targeting bigger fish .
Hopefully I’ll find out next Tuesday .

Good luck :highfive

1/32 on a #10 sickle is a favorite of mine with or without a float. Not big on plastics but the little plastics work. I don't worry about numbers, would rather catch the biggest sunnies I can find.

I too like the tiny offerings to a fault and find a 1/16 to be a bit too heavy and fast on the fall. Weight equals distance but I just can’t get to it. One of my recent favorites in my rod collection is a 6’6” browning Airstream. More parabolic than most of my fast tapers without being wimpy. The biggest attraction of it is the guides. Most ul rods have somewhat smaller guides but the stripper guide on this one is an inch and an eighth and makes smaller stuff really get a ride further than most of my other rods. My point, don’t bypass the shorter rods with a bit bigger guide than we normally see. I picked up a couple of nice smallies Thursday on that rod and it made them extra fun.

I had two "Airstream rods . I gave away the rod labeled 1/64-1/4 , I think . Rod was really whippy . Still have the 1/32-1/4 . It is my favorite rod . I have a 6'9" St. Croix(avid ) that has the fast tip . So far not a fan , but going to try it on 2 lb. test .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

I too like the tiny offerings to a fault and find a 1/16 to be a bit too heavy and fast on the fall. Weight equals distance but I just can’t get to it. One of my recent favorites in my rod collection is a 6’6” browning Airstream. More parabolic than most of my fast tapers without being wimpy. The biggest attraction of it is the guides. Most ul rods have somewhat smaller guides but the stripper guide on this one is an inch and an eighth and makes smaller stuff really get a ride further than most of my other rods. My point, don’t bypass the shorter rods with a bit bigger guide than we normally see. I picked up a couple of nice smallies Thursday on that rod and it made them extra fun.

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I’m with you Tim . Love fishing my micros and light line .
I too like big stripper guides on my rods . I think they add distance .
I also like a lightweight combo . Around or under 8oz for the combo .
I spent today in the driveway trying different lines , rods and reels .
Where my buddy and I fish , so areas have high banks , while others are near boat ramps and I can land bigger fish on the ramp .

I’ve about settled on my 6’ TFO rods and my Soare bb500 reels . I have spare spools for Nasci and Sahara 500 reels that will work on the Soare bb500 reels .
I will be able to carry a spare spools with heavier line for the high bank areas and the shallow Soare spools with my regular 2# line for areas that allow me to beach bigger fish . The Nasci and Sahara 500 spools are deep spools and will work great with line up to 4# .
The 4# P Line with a 1/32 jig and TM body consistently gave me 8-10’ farther distance than what I was getting on my micro jigs .
The weather is supposed to get down in the low 60’s Tuesday morning with a high in the low 80’s .
I feel like I used to waiting for opening day of deer season. Can’t wait !

Quote:

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

I too like the tiny offerings to a fault and find a 1/16 to be a bit too heavy and fast on the fall. Weight equals distance but I just can’t get to it. One of my recent favorites in my rod collection is a 6’6” browning Airstream. More parabolic than most of my fast tapers without being wimpy. The biggest attraction of it is the guides. Most ul rods have somewhat smaller guides but the stripper guide on this one is an inch and an eighth and makes smaller stuff really get a ride further than most of my other rods. My point, don’t bypass the shorter rods with a bit bigger guide than we normally see. I picked up a couple of nice smallies Thursday on that rod and it made them extra fun.

---

I’m with you Tim . Love fishing my micros and light line .
I too like big stripper guides on my rods . I think they add distance .
I also like a lightweight combo . Around or under 8oz for the combo .
I spent today in the driveway trying different lines , rods and reels .
Where my buddy and I fish , so areas have high banks , while others are near boat ramps and I can land bigger fish on the ramp .

I’ve about settled on my 6’ TFO rods and my Soare bb500 reels . I have spare spools for Nasci and Sahara 500 reels that will work on the Soare bb500 reels .
I will be able to carry a spare spools with heavier line for the high bank areas and the shallow Soare spools with my regular 2# line for areas that allow me to beach bigger fish . The Nasci and Sahara 500 spools are deep spools and will work great with line up to 4# .
The 4# P Line with a 1/32 jig and TM body consistently gave me 8-10’ farther distance than what I was getting on my micro jigs .
The weather is supposed to get down in the low 60’s Tuesday morning with a high in the low 80’s .
I feel like I used to waiting for opening day of deer season. Can’t wait !

57 here this morning with high in the upper 70's has me antsy to get out there but instead get to watch my two 3 year old grandson's. I think those bigger guides do add distance if that's what you need when those fishes seem out of reach.