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A Beginners Guide To Jigs

Author: Bill Miller

Crappie and Walley are generally caught with either minnows or jigs. This guide will give you the basics of the most popular fishing jigs on the market and tips to catch more fish with jigs.



The Road Runner Jig



This is an old favorite of many fishermen. I have to be honest with you, I normally use this type of jig for White Bass, Hybrids and other fish more than I do for Crappie or Walleye.



The times when I do use the Road Runner Jig, it's normally in a stream or in muddy water where I want a little sound or vibration to help the fish find my jig. This is also a good choice when fishing for schooling Crappie in deep water.



Beetle Spin



The Beetle Spin has been around for as long as I can remember. Over the years, I've used the Beetle Spin with great results in old strip mines and ponds. As with the Road Runner, hang on because you never know what will eat these things!



I primarily use Beetle Spins for remote streams when I'm fishing for Bass, Bluegill or other fish. When fishing the Beetle Spin and the Road Runner for Crappie, I use a slow retrieve. Just enough to make the blades spin. Crappie are not real aggressive fish unless it's spawning season and they won't normally chase a lure very far.



Slider Weedless Jig



The Slider Weedless Jig is a jig that I use when when I'm fishing heavy grass areas, timber or lily pads. I'll also use this jig in timber depending on how thick and nasty it is. Although the name says "Weedless", you will get hung up once in a while on grass and other debris. This is a great jib for spawning Bass and Walleye in thick cover.



Maribou Jigs



Tried and true maribou jigs. The old favorite. They're not as popular as they should be. Crappie fishermen being like other types of Fishermen, are easily attracted to flashy lures and jigs that are designed more to catch your eye and wallet than to catch fish.



I use maribou jigs mostly around boat docks and other man made structures. The maribou hair gives the jigs a life like action that Crappie, and any other type of fish, can't resist. Sometimes, simpler is better!



Tube Jigs



Tube jigs are my all time favorite. I don't know why any fish love these jigs as well as they do, but they just can't seem to get enough of them. Perhaps is the soft body that feels like food, or the the little bit of movement the tail ads to the the jig. Whatever the reason, Bass, Walleye and Crappie love these "do nothing" jigs.



My favorite tactic for using tube jigs is to either pitch them along timber and weeds or delicately drop them into small openings in weeds or timber. My second favorite method is to drift them below a slip cork. I like this method when I'm working bridge pilings or submerged brush piles. If you know the depth of the brush, you can set the slip cork to carry the tube jig slightly above the brush pile. Most predator fish feed up an if you're close enough, they'll dart out and gobble the jig down.



Another trick I like to use is simply take a split shot and mash it onto a Tru-Turn 1/0 Crappie hook, then pull the tube jig over the hook and split shot. The Tru Turn hooks are great for any fish that comes along.



If you wanting to expand your fish catching methods, these 5 jigs and the tips to catch crappie will increase your numbers of fish caught.

About the Author:

Need the latest fishing tips? Join Bill as he writes about one of his favorite fish, the Crappie. You can find Bills Crappie Fishing Tips and Guide at his blog. While you're there, check out his popular article on Crappie Jigs.

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