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NEW GRONAW GRASS SHRIMP PATTERNS

I have been trying to tweek some new grass shrimp jigs for fall and early winter fishing that will soon be upon us. here are a few of my latest variations...The jigs on the left are larger, 1/16th oz and the body is brown pearl core braid, with white and brown marabou for the tail...a little bigger offering in the traditional brown/olive shrimp patterns that Jeffrey had success on. The right hand side has 1/32oz jigs with the same body but filament tails from buzz bait skirts.

These guys are 1/32oz 'hackle-jig' patterns tied with the pearl core braid in chartreuse and brown, then wrapped with stiff hackle material. They sink really slow with the hackle, but are tough to cast much distance, even with 2- lb test mono. Works good below a bobber. This is as close to a 'cricket' pattern as I have tied yet.

Here are some 1/80th and 1/64th oz jigs with the filament legs and the body is sparkle braid...a flatter body wrap that can wrap tighter to the hook shaft than the core braid. I'm thinkin' ice fishing or winter open water bluegilling here. LedHed got me thinking about legs.

I used the core braid on these 1/16th oz jigs with white marabou for tails. Fall crappie, anybody? That pink really shows up in dark water.

More of the little stuff...I call the multi-legged micros 'CrazyLegs" Again, cold weather and ice fishing ideas. Anyway, I am going to be giving all of these patterns a test drive this fall and winter and I hope to have good reports of some impressive panfish. We'll see!

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Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on November 8, 2012 at 2:39pm: Nice, Jim. I like the red ones in the last picture. They just look really "buggy."

Comment by Jim Gronaw on November 7, 2012 at 2:56pm: They look good! I am sure they will catch the big ones!

Comment by jason grimm on October 11, 2012 at 10:11am: Nice work Jim!

Comment by John Cachel on October 4, 2012 at 8:02am: Jigs look so good to me and I would love to try it in Florida next month. Look good color, size and body to fool big bluegills! I like first and second pictures the best!

Comment by Mark Sleeper on September 30, 2012 at 3:55pm: Hi Jim thanks for the reply, trying to get material to tie with, went to Cabela's today found some larger jigs, looks like i'll have to order some Thanks Sleepy.

Comment by Jim Gronaw on September 30, 2012 at 8:34am: Hey Mark...10's and 8's on the 1/80th and 1/64thoz. and mostly 8's on the 1/32 oz, with sometimes a long shank to tie more body on the jig.

Comment by 10.5" RES Sharon on September 29, 2012 at 10:57am: These work even better:

Comment by Mark Sleeper on September 29, 2012 at 10:52am: Hi what is the hook size on the jigs thanks Sleepy

Comment by Jen Nayfly on September 29, 2012 at 8:27am: check out this braid, i brought 8 different colors and very pleased with it. http://www.togenenterprises.com/bills_bodi_braid.html

Comment by Jim Gronaw on September 29, 2012 at 7:51am: Thanks David...they are super easy to tie and the color combos are endless.

Mark...the pearl core braid is made by Hareline Dubbin, Inc., and I got them at PBS...I am sure you could get cheaper prices at some on-line shops. Comes in lots of colors and makes for a thicker body on the jigs, hence, a slower fall rate through the water column and a larger profile...something that fish in my region seem to prefer most of the time.