Product Corner: Bruce goes back to back big shellcracker and big bluegill!!

[Bruce Condello]

I'm not a critic.

So this feature isn't about being some "expert" who can tell you what's great and what isn't.

It's about fun, and it all starts with the first new product I've decided to try out. I took myself out of my comfort zone tonight. Generally this time of year I'm soakin' real crawlers trying to get a bluegill in it's cold water lethargy to pay me a quick visit at the end of my line.

But tonight I was using one of Zig's Jigs. It was a calf tail hair jig known as a "Kipper". Cute little thing. The first thing I noticed is that I didn't have to poke the paint out of the eye. I can't tell you how happy that made me. Generally I always carry the eye-pokin' tool, which makes about half of the paint chip off of my jig. That's always signifies the beginning of the end for a small jig.

So I tied the Kipper on under a clear plastic float and let the wind drift the lure gently across the little lake I'd chosen. I only had about thirty minutes until my wife and kids were going to show up. And they were going to require my full attention for hot dog and s'more fabrication. I needed to catch a fish ASAP!

A barely perception bobble of the bobber indicated a pickup. I was very pleased to see my biggest shellcracker of the year. A good fish that probably just exceeded one pound.

My very next cast the bobber did a little dance again. The next photo shows a solid one pound bluegill that liked the Kipper.

I'm a bluegill fisherman.
All things considered, I don't know how you could find anything not to like about Zig's Jigs' Kipper. It was a pretty little thing, that seemed to have premium quality construction.

I decided that if I'm going to review products I'd better test the durability.

So I ran the jig over with my ATV.

Didn't hurt it a bit.

Here's the website that you can find these little gems. I was extremely impressed that I did so well on my first time. It was worth it just to get out of my rut. And I didn't even need to get worm goo on my hands. Zig is gonna kill me for this. He insisted that I don't do anything on this website that can be misconstrued as advertising. Well, last I checked, I'm the president of Big Bluegill, so I can review whatever I want to. ;-) Touch luck, Zig. When you've got a product as good as this I'm gonna write it up. :-)

http://www.zigsjigs.com/

[David Merical]

I'll definitely have to check out your website!

[Zig]

Out of curiosity, what prompted you to choose a kip tail for the body material?

These are just a small view of what is offered Dave - there's not a whole lot of material I don't utilize.
The kip tail is nice for it's ease of use and durability in a micro sized jig for panfish. I don't believe I sent any 1/100oz., as they aren't more then ½" in total length.
Kip tail is fluid in the water as well - not as much as marabou or rabbit, but it retains a nice reaction to movement.

[David Merical]

Those are really good-looking jigs, Zig.

I forget the name now, but there's a guy from (I recall) Minnesota who ties a similar jig for ice-fishing crappies, but maybe with different material? When I looked at his website, I could never tell for sure what body material he used. Could've been fur or feather, but I think it was fur or possibly fine deer hair?

Out of curiosity, what prompted you to choose a kip tail for the body material? It obviously works well!
Bruce, those are jumbo fish!! Did you use the jig plain, or tipped with a crawler?

[Zig]

I appreciate your kind words Bruce.

"Zig is gonna kill me for this."

You're right, I'm making your VooDoo doll as I type.
I just want it understood that while I am Zig from Zigs Jigs, my presence here is not to billboard.
Someone else may feel strongly enough about it to list the name, but you won't see me grandstand outside of this response.
There is a level of professionalism/excellence here that exists because of the lack of self promotion - I fully intend to keep it that way.