Pitchin' plastics...

[Tony Livingston]

It probably comes as no surprise to any of the BBG faithful to learn that soft plastics are one of my favorite go-to lures for taking big gills'. Sure, I'll fling a spoon, or throw a micro crankbait when the occasion calls for it, but a plastic equipped jighead always occupies a prominent position in my tackle box.

Many of the plastics I use to try and entice summertime Bluegills come straight from my ice fishing paraphenalia, where tiny, whisper thin plastics can sometimes make the difference between going home cold and empty-handed, or grinning from ear to ear with a warm and fuzzy feeling inside..... okay, I'm usually still cold, but you get the point.

In the heat of summertime, I like to use jigheads from 1/100 to 1/32 oz, and will usually try a larger plastic than I would normally use during the cold water season. I prefer a plastic with a long, slender, whiplike tail, as those respond well to just the slightest movement of the jig, and I think the undulating motion encourages strikes.

Two of my favorites are the "Slug Bug Buggy Tails" from Northland Tackle, and the "Finesse" plastic series from Custom Jigs and Spins. Both offerings are available in a dazzling array of colors, but I tend to have my best luck with red, although I will substitute pink, or orange with good results. Tip em' with a waxworm, or fish them naked..... cast and retrieve, or suspend under a slip float....

If the fish are aggressive, I've also had success using the 1" Berkley Gulp Minnow on a larger jighead, usually a 1/32 oz in my case. Again, cast and retrieve, drift under a float, or, if the water is deep enough where you're fishing, simple vertical jigging can be dynamite. I look for a weededge, or a dropoff where it transitions into deeper water.

Top:  Slug Bug Buggy Tails, from Northland Tackle. Bottom: Finesse, by Custom Jigs and Spins.

Left: Nuclear Ant Legs, by Custom jigs and Spins. They have a hole in the center, allowing them to be slid up next to the jighead, mimicking a "hackle" of sorts.

 

[Suzanne Lazar]

Man, I'd never even seen 1/32 jigheads until about a week ago...life just keeps getting more complicated!

[rob scott]

yes they make them also 1/126 and 1/200

[Suzanne Lazar]

Are you serious? That can't be much more than the hook alone weighs-?

[David Helm]

I've had good success with the Keystone Minnow Jig; these are 1/16 oz.  Anyone else here use these?   (I have enough trouble seeing, handling, tying, and casting 1/16.  Can't imagine 1/100).

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

The one problem I have with htis sort of jig is the veritcal presentation. From the bank, where I mostly fish, this sort of jig is not really well suited to hauling across the bottom on the retrieve. At least it seems that way to me.
This could go some way to explaining why I have only limited success with them.
Oh, it isn't for lack of trying - I'll try anything. Often enough, too, if I like it.
But so far, this jig style is not a big producer for me.

[rob scott]

would love to see your bobber sounds great for how i fish would love it in my bag of tricks

[rob scott]

yes this jig is made by renowski not sure of the spelling he kept his boat at oakorchard river in New york you can get them at wally world like them for crappie and perch under a bobber in 15 to 20 feet of water

[David Helm]

"Renowski" yep that's about as close as I can get on the spelling...  yep, I get em at W-mart.  You can also order on line for the manufacturer.  I've never tried that but I've heard bad reports about their shipping fees and poor customer svc. 

Caught a good batch of shellcrackers last weekend dragging this jig on the bottom in 6 fow.  Biggest ones were close to 12 inches.  I've also had very good success with these Keystone Minnow Jigs for Big Bluegill and crappie.  I've caught LMB and channel cats on them too.

[rob scott]

the guy  that started the company would sell to locale dealers then he would sell cheaper to the charter captains.I see they keep up with getting every penny they can

[Jordan Williams]

Thanks for the good info Tony, question though..do you ever use the trout magnet series of jigs???

[Tony Livingston]

No I haven't Jordan....Got any words of advice in that regard?

[Jordan Williams]

Well, i wish i did. I was just curious if they were on your list of plastics to use. I've used them on trout in streams and have had stream 'gills hit them all day long. I've never used them solely for 'gills but my guess is they will definitely work on lakes and other bodies of water considering how well they hit them in a stream. About the only advice i can give is how i use it for trout and thats just to jig the heck out of it and dont let it sit still, thats what they seem to react to the best in my scenario anyways. Best of luck to ya if ya give em a try!