Do you love big bluegill?

Pinman hooks

I was wondering if anyone knew where I could find some pinman hooks/jigs? I've searched the internet and can't find anything. They used to be easy to find in Ohio, but last year I struggled to find them. Let me know if you have any info! Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by David, aka, "McScruff" on February 20, 2011 at 5:54pm

I believe you are looking for "pinmin" jig hooks. Try searching for that.

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Permalink Reply by Justin Purdy on February 20, 2011 at 9:29pm

Hey thanks, not sure why I didn't think to try that spelling before...I tried "pinmen" and "pinman", but looks like "pinmin" was the ticket. It definitely lead me to a few good sites that had very similar jigs to what I was looking for. Appreciate the help.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Cox on March 9, 2011 at 6:02am

Thanks, I've looked in all the stores around here in Texas and couldn't find any either. My dad has been sending me some from Ohio but now I can stop bugging him about it. Didn't think to spell it that way either.

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Permalink Reply by David, aka, "McScruff" on March 9, 2011 at 8:27am

As I understand it, "pin min" is short for Pin Minnow. I read about it somewhere, and I think the "-pin" part is also a contraction of the originators name. But dont hold me to that. They are common in the North for winter ice fishing. Basically they are just a blade, like a spinner blade, with a hook soldered to them. That was the origin of the lure, If I'm not mistaken.

The solder gives them weight and they are used for ice fishing as a vertical jig. A few spikes or meal worms are dropped through a hole to "chum" the spot, and one or two are also added as "tipping bait" to the jig. Then the rig is fished through the ice among suspended fish.

Nowadays that is changing, as anglers all over, North and South, are discovering their usefulness as pan fish lures. Their tiny size and normally colorful paint schemes makes them ultra appealing to fish like Bluegill and Crappie, and more and more people are fishing with them. Suspended below a float or drop jigged vertically, they are as effective in warmer waters as up North.

Horizontal presentations are popping up, too, where they are fished like any other spoon on ultra light tackle. These tend to be a bit larger than the more traditional ice fishing 'pin-min,' although there is no reason why you couldn't use those, too. They remind me of little more than a number 1 or 2 sized blade with a hook added. It seems you could get rather inventive with this if you wanted. Get some Colorado, Indiana, Willow Leaf and other type spinner blades and have at it! Some of the custom jig makers are now selling them among their other offerings, in fact

When fished horizontally, they are reminiscent of a miniature "Johnsons Minnow," and indeed they are often called "micro spoons" by the newer generation of fishermen. Hook "tipping" is a common practice with both methods, too.