Micro baits catch fish of all sizes

Yesterday I wasn't haven't much luck with Crappie Magnets in my pond and figured maybe it was the size of the lure used. Luckily I found some Trout Magnets never cast before and man did I catch fish ! Important was rigging the Magnet on 1/32 or 1/64 oz jig heads and letting them glide through the water mid depth with a few reel handle jerks so they would change direction.

So, I figured why not make a few - those to the left of the Trout Magnet vs the Crappie Magnet in the top right corner:
Attachment 374409

They measure 1.5" and are thinner and a bit shorter than the Crappie Magnet. Crappie, sunfish and a small bass attacked them with over a dozen caught within 20 minutes. I'll bet micro lures even do well under a float when the bite is the slowest in water temps 50 degrees or less and prespawn (water temp was near 50 after some 40 degree nights). Important is activating larger fish to bite larger lures - the bite being contagious when it comes to nearby fish.

Once larger fish start to bite, larger lures can be used - something I found out last year in early spring before seasonal weeds die off and float to the nearest wind blown shorelines. Good thing there were weedlines to cast to in 7' with open water nearby. Hey, catching even small fish is a plus when bites were tough to get.

Another tactic I found worked in the semi-clear water was to hop them on bottom within 5' of shore where I could see fish accumulate nearby with the larger fish attacking after a few hops. Guess live & learn applies every year - thank goodness !

Good report, thanks!

What blows my mind is how crappie have such giant mouths and hit small lures, but bluegill have small mouths and will attack a full-size spinnerbait that's 3x the size of the fish itself. Bluegill make no sense sometimes :)

The small baits do work well. It seems that the fish will usually take a small bait,even when they are off of the feed.
A lot of my baits run from 1/2 to 1 inch long.

Good advice and info. I caught a bunch with a 1" lure yesterday.

Thanks, I’ll definitely try Trout Magnet under float someday. The only thing I hate about using trout magnet for crappie is deep hooking and need to use forceps to remove the hook. I mainly catch and release and especially night time make it even harder. I know the trout magnet catch fish for sure.

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What blows my mind is how crappie have such giant mouths and hit small lures, but bluegill have small mouths and will attack a full-size spinnerbait that's 3x the size of the fish itself. Bluegill make no sense sometimes

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example:
https://i.imgur.com/2gmCC1l.jpg

I never have a problem deep hooking as long as I can feel the p/u and raise the rod tip just enough for the fish to begin hooking itself. Of course the hook must be very sharp.

Good tips and nice looking fish. Thanks for the post.
Bob

The micros can be very productive

Idea to make your own micro baits:

If you have some Crappie Magnets lying around, take a box cutter /razor blade and cut it lengthwise. Rig it on a 1/32 or 1/64 oz jig and maybe try a beetle spin to use it with (the one shown is handmade):

Attachment 374432

Make sure to use it on small diameter line. Yesterday I used a 2 # fluorocarbon leader, but I'm sure 6 lb test braid would work as well. I'll be testing both lures tomorrow in a lake not far from where I live.

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Originally Posted by Spoonminnow

Idea to make your own micro baits:

If you have some Crappie Magnets lying around, take a box cutter /razor blade and cut it lengthwise. Rig it on a 1/32 or 1/64 oz jig and maybe try a beetle spin to use it with (the one shown is handmade):

Attachment 374432

Make sure to use it on small diameter line. Yesterday I used a 2 # fluorocarbon leader, but I'm sure 6 lb test braid would work as well. I'll be testing both lures tomorrow in a lake not far from where I live.

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That's a good idea,I do have some Crappie magnet laying around that I thought was too big for Bluegill, now I know what to do with them.