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Gronaw Grass Shrimp Patterns and How-To

I have been getting a lot of response and questions about the simple-to-tie grass shrimp hairjig patterns that Jeffrey Abney is having so much success with in North Carolina. Believe me, I never thought such a simple, easy to tie pattern would prove so deadly, but I am nonetheless delighted with our success with them. In the photo above are several olive/ green / gray patterns that have done well in the dark waters of Dixie. They are on 1/32 and 1/64th oz ball head jigs from Bass Pro White River Fly Shops and are either gold or nickel in color.

For the body of the jig, we prefer sparkle braid in either peach/orange color or the tan/pearl. Number 6 or 8 waxed tying thread is fine. Brown or tan thread works well, but color combos are endless. The tail portion of the jig can be craft hair or marabou. For most of my jigs, I prefer craft hair because I can get a lot of jigs out of one skein.

One of our top producers is this simple olive pattern. On these drab/plain patterns, I am trying to mimic the natural colors of the freshwater shrimp, which can be light brown or olive, depending on the water color you are fishing. I believe the sparkle braid attracts the fish to the jig, and when tipped with a live bait or Gulp product seals the deal for a strike. Often times, no tipping is needed for aggressive fish. Gold seems to work slightly better in tannin-stained water than the nickle, don't ask me why! It should be pointed out that primo fish biologist and Pond Boss founder Bob Lusk was instrumental in having me develope this pattern for giant, Richmond Mill bluegills.

Perhaps the top dog for Jeffrey Abney's blackwater river gilling adventures has been this pink edition of the grass shrimp on the gold head. Again, nothing special, just a more vibrant tone to the shrimp in the system, as tidal water shrimp species can have brighter hues.

It pays to experiment, as these 'plain brown wrappers' have produced when the pink or olive has not. Sometimes the gills want a little bigger profile, hence the longer, darker tails on these jigs.

Even beginner fly or jig tyers can master these deadly lures at one session at the table. I hope to post more later and wish everyone the best on bluegilling!

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Comment by Tony Livingston on June 30, 2012 at 11:48am: Very nice Jim! You've given me more food for thought on my quest to learn just how picky BG really are.

I think I will spend this unbearably hot afternoon experimenting along those lines. They say the devil is in the details....... I'm gonna' do my best to find out......

Comment by Jim Gronaw on June 30, 2012 at 11:45am: Dick...thanks so much for your kind words!

Vince...one thing for sure...the jig does not have to look perfect to catch fish. Keep trying!

Comment by Vince Fusco on June 30, 2012 at 11:23am: I am no fly tier, but this jig looks good. I will try again though. My first attempt at tying a jig came out looking like a mad cat that had been dunked in water!

Comment by dick tabbert on June 30, 2012 at 8:43am: Thank you Jim for sharing the kind person that you are I'm sure you will see many more people using them. Thanks to people like you this is undoubtedly and by fair the best fishing site on the web. GOOD FISHIN..

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on June 29, 2012 at 1:35pm: They just catch fish folks.....I'm fishing them suspended under a float and tipping with live crickets and we are just having a ball....Sure other baits will catch gills but we have experienced long periods of strikes and I truly believe the sparkle helps bring the fish to my bait in the dark water....Big fish like them........We've had a whale of a time field testing these jigs.....