Light ball head jigs and soft plastic lure variety is amazing

[senkosam]

Most of us have T or C -rigged plastic worms and lizards, but have you ever considered light ball head jigs as the weight of choice?

A few years ago after pouring some swimbaits, I figured - why not use a jig head with the proper hook size?



Granted, you can usually use weighted wide gap hooks for a more weedless lure:

... but for open water casting, the 1/8 oz jig did fine.

I've even caught crappie on them:


Many always think the Beetle Spin is mostly for panfish, but I've caught bass on them as well:

...along with pan fish of course:


The nice thing is the variety of soft plastics that can use with the B.Spin - in this case a Slider Worm:

...which can be used without the blade because of the lures incredible tail action when used with a light jig.


This is a homemade B.Spin using wire from Amazon.com:


I always carry a variety of jig weights and hook sizes to match bait length:

The above is a box of light jigs for finesse lures showing hook size. I also carry a box of heavier jigs and larger hooks (note the swimbait jig used). Note the wire L I added to keep the lure from sliding down the hook and only use unpainted jigs.

Here are a few more to consider:

Remember wacky rigged Senkos? By accident I discovered mini sticks when used with a light jighead wacky rigged had an incredible action no different than a much larger Senko. The first time I used it, I caught over thirty fish/ 4 species - including bass!


Here's an idea! Cut off the curl tail off two grubs and fuse the bodies together with a candle flame. The lure can be used wacky rigged or the usual way on light jigs:



One combo was using a 5" GY KutTail worm with a 1/32 oz jighead and the action was amazing!!!!

It caught 5 bass the first time I used over a flat of submerged weeds.

Whatever you do, NEVER EVER judge small soft plastics as only panfish lures. You and I know the value of light skirted jigs and plastic trailers. Open your mind to all of the possibilities using light jigs and any one of hundreds of soft plastics.

[keithdog]

Yep, I've used the small jig head many times and it works well. I usually go to the wide gap because my lakes have so many weeds. But when I can, I prefer the open hook rig. Never tried using mini senkos before. Will be sure to do so. I remember one trip to upper Minnesota the first two days we didn't get a bit. Then on the third day, I decided to play around with the pan fish and a small yellow twist tail beetle spin. BAM! Nice pike, then another and another. And other species as well. We ended up buying 3 cards of those baits at the local tackle shop and limited out every day after with those.

[senkosam]

That's the nice thing about using grubs:
1. Many designs work great
2. Many designs work with Beetle Spins
3. A multi-species lure type

[dodgeguy]

just decided to try ned rid this year with fifth oz jig. senko sam knows im a bubba fisherman so this should be fun.

[senkosam]

Originally Posted by dodgeguy

just decided to try ned rid this year with fifth oz jig. senko sam knows im a bubba fisherman so this should be fun.

The Ned rig does work and if anyone can catch fish with it, Dodgeguy is the one to do it! I started using it before it was even called the Ned Rig and at times it beats any other presentation when worked mid-depth.

[dodgeguy]

Originally Posted by senkosam

The Ned rig does work and if anyone can catch fish with it, Dodgeguy is the one to do it! I started using it before it was even called the Ned Rig and at times it beats any other presentation when worked mid-depth.

it took years for me to get to this point of being patient enough to try this. using 8 lb sufix advance on a baitcaster so im still somewhat bubba.

[senkosam]

Originally Posted by dodgeguy

it took years for me to get to this point of being patient enough to try this. using 8 lb sufix advance on a baitcaster so im still somewhat bubba.

How have you done this year?

[dodgeguy]

like most guys in this area i had a tough year. i did catch fish on the ned rig though. my best fish this year was a 6-4 walleye in titicus on a crankbait. still looking to get out again this year.

[senkosam]

Originally Posted by dodgeguy

like most guys in this area i had a tough year. i did catch fish on the ned rig though. my best fish this year was a 6-4 walleye in titicus on a crankbait. still looking to get out again this year.

Maybe we get together in 2020 ? Guarantee a good catch on lures I use !
Frank
(Walden)