trout on the mini jig

[Mpoochi]

basically i need to know how to set the hook and when to set. i was sight fishing trout (from shore) and i saw 6 fish take my mini jig and spit it i set on the 6th one and it was on then it popped off am i setting it too hard too early . should i use a trailer hook or what

[TurdRoller]

i always grind a good 4 or 5 turns of the handle before setting the hook (or just lifting) on any fish caught on a lure except for big fish on the iron, those you just wind on.

try winding fast on em instead of setting the hook, might work

[Buttchaser]

On a Mini jig (use a light drag) , as soon as you feel a tap , set the Hook..

[WreckinBall]

A trailer hook?...no.

Make sure your hook points are sharp, keep the slack out of your line as much as possible, and set the hook when your line moves or you feel a tap. Seeing fish take the jig can be deceiving, so watch your line - not the fish.

Also, you'll miss more fish with the mini-jig than with other lures. It's just harder to get a good hookset and easier for them to twist it out of their mouth. It's also what makes it more challenging.

[Mpoochi]

thanks i just got into mini jiggin usually i throw kastasters and baby krocs but i saw a few beast landed on them so i made a bunch of my own and it sucked so bad watching those trout take it and spit but i guess i just have to get a feel for it maybe better leadhead hooks

[talltale]

try a trailer hook

[big steve]

Originally Posted by WreckinBall

A trailer hook?...no.

Make sure your hook points are sharp, keep the slack out of your line as much as possible, and set the hook when your line moves or you feel a tap. Seeing fish take the jig can be deceiving, so watch your line - not the fish.

Also, you'll miss more fish with the mini-jig than with other lures. It's just harder to get a good hookset and easier for them to twist it out of their mouth. It's also what makes it more challenging.

good advise!
thats how i fish 90 percent of the time. you will find that you will get the bigger models fishing with jigs. fish the longer rods 8ft or 9ft with 2# maxima ultra green. maxima is a very soft line and that is what you want when fishing with mini jig. try putting a power worm or a meal worm on the jig. i hope this helps you out.

[BassDaddy]

Originally Posted by Buttchaser

On a Mini jig (use a light drag) , as soon as you feel a tap , set the Hook..

The ONLY way to do it! If you're "sight" fishing, try setting right as they hit or inhale it.

[Mpoochi]

thanks guys. the mini jigs i use i kinda made my self too a 1 1/2" hollow skirt with a power worm and a super small lead head it looks just like store bought but i made them, i didnt pour the plastic or anything but u get the point. i think i get it now i think my problem was the hooks not sharp enough and slack in my line.

[Mpoochi]

light drag as in loose or light as in barely able to let out i just confused myself thinking which way is light

[UnReel]

Like the others have mentioned, 2 to 4lb line, light drag, and reel down on the fish instead of swinging on them. Also when sight fishing, dont reel when you think you see the fish bite the jig, reel when you feel the rod actualy load up. Most guys try and set the hook as soon as they see the fish hit the jig and they pull the minijig out of the fish's mouth before the fish gets a chance to close their jaw on the jig. Try a mealworm on the jig to get those picky trout to hold on just a bit longer for better hooksets.

As for fishing a minijig, I like to cast out and let the jig sink to whatever depth the trout are holding and then sloooowly turn the reels handle while doing a light side to side twitch with the rods tip. It's deadly.

I love fishing the minijig as you get more tanker trout like Big Steve Said. Favorite colors are pearl white, yellow/white, green/yellow in that order. I also fish a nine to ten foot rod rated 2 to 8# with a 2500 size reel for line capacity as some of those big trout will make a long screaming run and with out the capacity you can say bye bye to the fish.

Good luck,
B

[Double Z]

Yep, what he said. My favorite sticks for jig fishing trout are 11'6'' and 13'6''. The reels are the SSII's with spectra to a flouro leader. No stretch and hook sets are just lifting the rod. Owner leadheads really help the hookup ratio.