Jigs versus Minnows Discussion Again (Sorry)

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 don't understand your comment about your bass fishing background making you want to move the jig more than it should be moved. Any jig moved slowly is deadly. There was a recent article in the Crappie Online mag that featured bass pros who also crappe fished. None of them trolled. All cast jigs on light spinning tackle and caught loads of fish. They thought their bass backgrounds helped them.

Have u tried this style
Bobby garland baby Shad?

Try monkeys milk, and something chartreuse,

Long thin tail works pretty well
But minnows are always better I think.

Try them vs minnows side by side
If u gets some on them, you’ll gain confidence

No easy answers from me


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Originally Posted by Shad

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.

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Think of it as:

1) Slow rolling a spinnerbait but with a lighter bait or

2) Fishing a Texas-rigged plastic worm but up in the water column

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Originally Posted by Shad

I am tired of having to find and buy minnows every trip and then keep them alive.

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That and my supreme confidence in the jig is why I haven't bought a minnow in forty years.

Use scent. Slabsauce, Crappie Nibbles, both if you prefer. Fishing the same lake most of the time, as I do, there is usually a handful of colors that most always work. I’ve found that it usually doesn’t change from trip to trip. I catch a lot of fish as the jig is falling. The scent product must make em hold on, cuz I don’t feel a bite. Either the line jumps, or remains slack when it should not be on bottom. I use sickle hooks, #2, on all my jigheads. I also like to pitch it and let it pendulum back. Also, try dropping to the bottom and slowly reel up, pause occasionally, and if this hasn’t worked, give it a slight lift and drop.

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

That and my supreme confidence in the jig is why I haven't bought a minnow in forty years.

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Oh, and :hesaid Confidence is critical!

Order some Slab Sauce from the C.C store and get your jigs out and you will catch fish.

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I will tell you what "G" just said. Order some Slab Sauce. Garlic has been deadly for me.

You will see a pretty good write up on it on the main page come July 2nd. This stuff works and might be just what you need to build your confidence in catching fish on soft plastics, hair jigs, or other combinations.

I've been utilizing it for over a month now. I won't give away the write up as it relates to crappie fishing (Scented minnows verses unscented) but I can tell you that, on days, the use of garlic has increased catch rates over non scented baits when it comes to walleye. The article I am refering to shows you that, just because it is a live bait, doesn't mean they want it!

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Originally Posted by wicklundrh

I will tell you what "G" just said. Order some Slab Sauce. Garlic has been deadly for me.

You will see a pretty good write up on it on the main page come July 2nd. This stuff works and might be just what you need to build your confidence in catching fish on soft plastics, hair jigs, or other combinations.

I've been utilizing it for over a month now. I won't give away the write up as it relates to crappie fishing (Scented minnows verses unscented) but I can tell you that, on days, the use of garlic has increased catch rates over non scented baits when it comes to walleye. The article I am refering to shows you that, just because it is a live bait, doesn't mean they want it!

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That s true
Few weeks ago I was cleaning up on a brush pile with minnows and slip float.
Then it just stopped.
Switched to jigs, got a few more


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Switched to jigs only years ago (tightline spider rigging) and have not had the mess and expense of buying and keeping minnows ever since.

Tom

Minnows come in one color unless you dip them in dye,Using minnows is a feeding bite,Crappie jigs,plastic is usually a reaction bite.We live on our home lake and fish 2-3 times a week every day except sunday in spring and fall.if we used minnows we would catch the crappie out of the brushpiles,useing jigs can ketch 2-10 crappie each trip and not clean it out over fish.Being a bass fishermen want to be crappie fishermen.We fish the same brush piles,trees,ledges that we bass fish switch to crappie jigs and plastics and liter line 2-4 lb test,Have not bought a minnow in years.learn to fish the jigs,plastics and now crankbaits.The same crankbaits the crappie fishermen are pulling will catch crappie casting to the brushpiles!! PICO'S,ARKIE'S ECT.our two cents have fun.ITS NOT THE EQUIPMENT ITS HOW YOU USE THE EQUIPMENT.

I like the idea of casting cranks to brush, I’d imagine it could get expensive


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Lighten your jigs and downsize and scent the jig ...dont do like often mentiones and keep your line tight ...watch your line close and fish slowly with very light twitches and super slow falls ...

I mostly cast jigs .... 1/16oz weedless jighead & various shapes of plastics. I target submerged wood, be it downed trees, standing trees, bushes, or brush piles. I don't really "want" to "feel" the bite ... I want to see it, whether it's a slight jump in the line or a sudden slack line. I set the hook on both !!

I cast out - lift the rod tip to about the 10-11 o:clock position - reel in only as fast as it takes to keep a slight bow in the line - watch the line for those telltale line movements that indicate a bite. And like DB4D mentioned .... it's much like slow rolling a spinnerbait (open water) or "worm fishing" (when bait is IN the wood cover). I use hi-vis line so I can see the line in most any lighting conditions.

Colors IMHO need to have "contrast" : dark/light ... which is why I normally use blue, purple, or pink baits with a chartreuse tail or belly.

When the situation calls for it, or the opportunity presents itself, I will use the Vertical Casting method ... as described in my article : Crappie Pappy Article

Mostly cast and side pull jigs here. We are strictly catch & release, so it really doesn't affect our outcome. If you try a straight tail plastic (i.e.: BGBS) with a liberal dressing of "G" Sauce, you can't go wrong. I'd be very surprised if live bait could do much better. But, since we don't use live bait, I could be wrong about that too! :)

I jig fish 80% of the time and prefer not to fool with minnows . That being said on a tough bite minnows seem to be the answer more times than not . I have seen crappie bite a minnow when they would not hit a jig . I have never seen crappie hit a jig that could not be caught with a minnow . jmo .:juggle

I would recommend going with someone that is good with a jig and getting them to watch you and correct any mistakes you may be making. There's a learning curve but its worth learning.

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Originally Posted by eagle 1

I have never seen crappie hit a jig that could not be caught with a minnow . jmo .:juggle

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Um, curious as to how you could ever tell that?

Tom

I though I was a good jig fisherman until I was fishing off the bank next to and older guy fishing with a fly rod,he was catching 5 to my 1 using the same jig . he showed me what he was doing different . made 100% improvement in my jig fishing. find a really good jig fisherman and learn from them.

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Originally Posted by jackie53

Minnows come in one color unless you dip them in dye,Using minnows is a feeding bite,Crappie jigs,plastic is usually a reaction bite.We live on our home lake and fish 2-3 times a week every day except sunday in spring and fall.if we used minnows we would catch the crappie out of the brushpiles,useing jigs can ketch 2-10 crappie each trip and not clean it out over fish.Being a bass fishermen want to be crappie fishermen.We fish the same brush piles,trees,ledges that we bass fish switch to crappie jigs and plastics and liter line 2-4 lb test,Have not bought a minnow in years.learn to fish the jigs,plastics and now crankbaits.The same crankbaits the crappie fishermen are pulling will catch crappie casting to the brushpiles!! PICO'S,ARKIE'S ECT.our two cents have fun.ITS NOT THE EQUIPMENT ITS HOW YOU USE THE EQUIPMENT.

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I like what Jackie said right here. "Feeding bite" versus "reaction bite". There is a ton of truth to that statement.

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Originally Posted by T_om

Um, curious as to how you could ever tell that?

Tom

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Me too

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Also you can get a jig In places can't with minnow. Under docks under overhanging trees or brushs. Jigs are way more versatile. I will say one more thing, I have never had a 100+ day with minnows but I do it a lot with jigs

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Originally Posted by T_om

Um, curious as to how you could ever tell that?

Tom

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GUESS I COULD HAVE BEEN A LITTLE CLEARER . I HAVE CAUGHT FISH ON A JIG THEN USED MINNOWS TO USE THEM UP SINCE I RARELY FISH BACK TO BACK DAYS . I HAVE HAD DAYS THAT I COULD NOT CATCH THEM ON JIGS BUT COULD CATCH THEM ON MINNOW . I USUALLY TAKE MINNOWS IN THE SUMMER . I USE MINNOWS TO HEDGE MY BET . I AM TALKING ABOUT SINGLE POLE FISHING DEEP TOPS POST SPAWN . HAVE RUN OUT OF MINNOWS AND CATCH RATE WENT WAY DOWN . DURING THE SPAWN I NEVER BUY MINNOWS BUT SPIDER RIGGING AND SUMMER ,ALWAYS . JMO.

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Originally Posted by lowe175

Also you can get a jig In places can't with minnow. Under docks under overhanging trees or brushs. Jigs are way more versatile. I will say one more thing, I have never had a 100+ day with minnows but I do it a lot with jigs

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Yalls crappie are a lot dumber than ours, lol


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Brettw you may be right. Never fished for them outside of the south east.

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Originally Posted by lowe175

Brettw you may be right. Never fished for them outside of the south east.

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I’m in S.C.! Home of the Clemson Crappie Degree


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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.

In the above post I am referring to a single top not over a day of fishing . 90% of fishermen I know use minnows while spider rigging , power trolling and single pole fishing in the summer .During the spawn single pole fishing, Pulling cranks and long lining ? No .Have no doubt that fish can be caught without minnows but go to tournaments and see how many don't take them .I am talking about here in Mississippi .No idea what they do else where but you can sit in the bait shop here and watch almost all visitors buy minnows by the pound . Figure they have seen them before .

Minnows are my confidence bait. If they ain't hitting minnows they ain't biting. I use jigs 75% of the time but I seldom leave the dock without my minnow bucket in the boat.

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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.

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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

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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Quote:

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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.

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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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Originally Posted by pab1981

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

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This ^^^^^