Working the Lil Minnow Rig

[Slip Sinker]

The Need:

for the past few years, one of my favorite techniques is Long Casting the UL swim jigs… usually along/parallel to shorelines and inner/outer weed lines as well as open water. I've been very satisfied with the tags on this technique… going small on UL equipment with thin super lines has increased my catches as well as added to the Master Angler tally. This raises the question What if I went Smaller yet?

The Set-up:

The SwimBait: I searched on the EBAY site for a similar style Power Minnow bait but smaller and found a source. In fact there are several sources out there. It is a popular plastic body swimbait style.

The Jig: I use the plain round 1/64oz. jigs… I buy them on EBAY. I super glue the swimbait to the jig head.

Rod: I’m finding the 5’-6” rods or shorter rods are working best for me presently. Ul action with a fast tip. Shakespeare Wild series or the Daiwa Spinmatics are a couple of my favorite brand and models.

The Line: currently my favorite brand of line is GLISS for this method of fishing… it outcasts every other brand for me… and it is strong at 8# test with a 2# mono-diameter spec. I also use Nanofil and coated ice braids with near similar results.

Remember a bait this small and light plays havoc with the wind and distance cast. Use the wind to your advantage when out in the boat casting to your target area.

Good luck!

Please be kind enough to respond to any results that you may have!

 

work in Progress! to be continued...

[Allen Morgan]

Only problem with shorter rods and longer casts is that it's harder to set the hook, especially when you're in a kayak.  Ask me how I know :)

If you're planning on going as small as a 1/80th, maybe you want to go with a fly-rod instead of a spinning rig?  This will let you have a longer rod for hooksets.  Just use a strike indicator.

[Slip Sinker]

Sounds like the long rod and or fly rod is a new presentation and should be a new discussion… im assigning that one to you Allen!  

With the ultra thin super lines… my favorite is GLISS when it comes to this presentation… the longer casts achieved with these tiny baits still result with solid contact. A quick little twitch is usually all that is needed to set the hook because of the no stretch factor and property of the line.

With the weight of the plastic tail and 1/64 oz jig head combined I believe it should tip the scales at between 1/40 and 1/32 of an oz… with 8# GLISS were still throwing these things at some decent distances.

Ive basically given up on long rods on the kayak… most of my fishing is done now with 5-6 ft or less rods… much more sensitive and fine control over the jig movement.

[dick tabbert]

Minnow body looks a little big are you getting any short strikes.

[Slip Sinker]

Dick ... it is actually very small at just 1.5" and very thin 4"... b.gills will swallow the bait easily... very few short strikes... deep hook sets are the norm with this bait. ive had numerous days with one bait lasting the day with super glue attachment. 

the jig shown is a #12 hook with 1/64oz lead

[dick tabbert]

Thanks for the comeback. Is that a berkley power minnow?

[Slip Sinker]

no... but it looks and acts like one but in a smaller size... the 2" power minnow is one of my all time favorite baits and have caught some very nice fish on it... however it is too big to tag the b.gills in my opinion. so i would trim 3/8 to .5" off the end to bring it down to size since Berkley does not offer smaller sizes. then i found the Lil Minnow which looks like the scaled down Power Minnow on EBAY...after receiving and using it i caught many fish and then another Master Angler P.Seed within a couple days... my interest in the bait was and still is off the charts

[Slip Sinker]

EBAY is a great source for the jig heads… do a search for

“1/64oz. PLAIN ROUND JIG HEADS”