Jighead Minnow: The Easy Rig Taking Bass Fishing By Storm

There’s no indication that Shakespeare’s Juliet was into bass fishing, however her well-known line: “A rose by another title, would odor as candy,” applies completely to one of many sport’s hottest and most effective rigs—the jighead minnow.

It’s possible you’ll realize it by one other title, however no matter moniker you employ, it’s about as fundamental a rig as you’ll discover—only a gentle jighead with a baitfish-style physique. Don’t let the simplicity idiot you, although. This rig is an issue solver and a bite-getter—and a weapon that you must have in your bass fishing arsenal. Under is a full breakdown of what it’s, why it really works, correct rigging, and tips on how to begin hammering bass with it.

First, the title factor.

Etymology and Evolution of the Jighead Minnow

For greater than twenty years, northern smallmouth anglers have used the time period “moping” to explain a static vertical presentation with a jighead and a minnow physique. That very same fundamental method reached mainstream bass fishing consciousness through the 2017 Bassmaster Elite match at Tennessee’s Cherokee Lake, when the beforehand guarded native secret of utilizing this rig got here to gentle.

At that time, the bass world adopted the title “Damiki Rig” for the jighead minnow, because the Damiki Armor Shad was the first bait selection on the time. Since then, the fishing market has exploded with choices from the Doomsday Deal with C-Shad (modeled after a photograph of a threadfin shad), to the YUM Sonar Minnow that produced half of Jason Christie’s fish throughout his 2022 Bassmaster Traditional win at Lake Hartwell.

Colloquially, the phrase “dropping on ‘em” nonetheless circulates, particularly on these East Tennessee waters from which the southern utility of the northern tactic spawned. All of those monikers seek advice from the identical factor: a user-friendly method for holding a baitfish profile above suspended bass, or above the underside construction to bass relate.

Initially, utilizing a jighead minnow was largely a cold-weather method, however the utility now spans practically all-year, except for the spawn. Furthermore, anglers have taken what originated as a smallmouth and walleye method and expanded its relevance with nationwide utility to incorporate largemouth and noticed bass.

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Why the Jighead Minnow Works

Canadian professional and Bassmaster Elite veteran Jeff Gustafson has performed a big position in popularizing this system by “moping” his strategy to victory on the 2021 Bassmaster Elite at Fort Loudoun-Tellico Lakes (on the high of the Tennessee River chain) after which successful the 2023 Bassmaster Traditional on the identical space of the identical fishery, utilizing the identical presentation.

Gustafson fished the canal linking Fort Loudoun and Tellico Lakes, and when he discovered large smallies suspended over onerous backside, the jighead minnow ruse proved irresistible. “Basically, all of us considered method as walleye fishing for bass within the early years, as a result of it was offshore and vertical,” he mentioned. “The rationale it’s so efficient is just because bass, walleye, and all sport fish eat minnows, and I feel there’s in all probability no higher imitator than that presentation.”

The best way to Rig a Jighead Minnow

Whereas a plain, unpainted ball-head jig works effectively, some consider a white or chartreuse paint job helps promote the look. Lead heads get loads of bites, however tungsten’s density means that you can use smaller heads within the chosen weight. Gustafson steps up the realism by rigging his Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ on a Northland Smeltinator jig, which options molded gills and lifelike eyes. This jighead features a distinguished bait collar, however he provides a dab of Loctite adhesive to maintain the bait in place.

Most anglers use a 3- to three 1/2-inch split-tail or straight-tail bait, however Gustafson’s fellow Bassmaster Elite professional Cody Huff usually upsizes his rig by pairing a 1/8- to 1/2-ounce VMC Modern Jig with a 5-inch gentle jerkbait to match bigger indigenous forage. As he explains, it’s additionally a triggering technique: “I’ll do this to entice the most important fish within the faculty,” Huff mentioned.

The Proper Deal with for Fishing a Jighead Minnow

Though that is technically a finesse presentation, Gustafson mentioned it’s necessary to enrich a versatile rod tip with ample fish-whipping spine. His selection is a 7′ 4″ medium G. Loomis NRX spinning rod with a 3000-size Shimano Stella reel carrying 10-pound Energy Professional braided essential line with a 10-pound Shimano Mastiff chief.

Line watching’s an enormous a part of this system, so Gustafson likes high-vis yellow. With a pair toes of fluoro chief, the braid’s unlikely to spook any fish, but it surely saves him the attention pressure of making an attempt to identify much less noticeable line. “Through the day, you could get a chew when your bait is falling, so that you’ll see your line bounce,” Gustafson mentioned. “Additionally, in case you ever hit backside, you’ll be able to see that and you already know you need to increase your bait.”

The best way to Catch Bass with a Jighead Minnow

A stickler for exact displays, Gustafson provides this tip: “Maintain your knot completely centered on the jig’s line tie. The important thing to this system is holding your bait completely horizontal, as a result of that’s how baitfish look within the water,” he mentioned. “Generally, after you catch a fish, or in case you miss a chew, your knot can slide ahead or backward on the road tie. When that occurs, the bait will grasp at an angle and that’s not a pure look. One of many actual triggering components of this presentation is the bait hanging in a horizontal posture and doing nothing.”

Huff agrees and factors out a strategic element—proximity. “You need to watch your sonar and hold the bait above the fish’s head,” he mentioned. “The farther they’ve to return up, the extra aggressive they’re.”

Gustafson provides this: “If you happen to can see the fish in your electronics, you could be tempted to attempt to put the bait proper in entrance of them. However in case you drop it proper of their face, you’ll be able to spook them. They know one thing’s up. The extra you may make them swim for it, the extra doubtless they’re to eat it. In dirtier water, you might have to get nearer, however bass, particularly smallmouths, can see it from farther than you’d assume.”

Whereas a vertical presentation is the go-to method when fishing a jighead minnow, Gustafson’s Traditional win showcased the rig’s versatility, as he caught a number of of his fish by pitching to them. When pressured bass in clear water gained’t tolerate a ship sitting straight over them, Gustafson depends on his forward-facing sonar to information his quick pitches. He casts previous the fish and lets the bait pendulum throughout their radar, however as with these vertical drops, you need to hold the bait above their heads. “When you get their consideration, it’s type of a cat-and-mouse sport,” Huff provides. “Maintain the bait simply far sufficient forward and hold it shifting to speak them into biting.”

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