Question Trout-Mini Jigging?

acentner · Oct-27-2009, 05:03 PM

Hey Guys,

I have never posted on the freshwater board before and am really not sure where this post belongs. I am from AZ but love fishing for just about anything, just about anywhere. I have worked on the boats out of San Diego but am now back in the desert. I have been hearing more and more about the different ways you guys catch trout in CA and am very interested in trying to take some of those methods and give them a whirl in AZ. After hearing about mini jigging and I was able to find some information but it seems to be hard to come by and not very clear.

Basically I either fish from shore or out of a float tube on mountain lakes. Its always been the same old stuff... powerbait, worms, corn, etc. and I am looking for ways to not only target big fish but just to change it up and see what happens. If anyone out there could give me some pointers on mini jigging or any other methods of trout fishing you find effectiver I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance!

apcrew45 · Oct-27-2009, 06:19 PM

A 7 foot lightweight trout rod. A small spinning reel. There are some very expensive models so I really dont like naming brands. But my set up didnt really brake the bank and its around 70 bucks. I really like the Cherry Graphite selection from berkley and they have a 7 ft model thats rated at 4-12 lbs and is pretty thin in diameter.
For the spinning reel you can find a good quality one that will last you a while for 20 to 30 bucks.
For the jigs I dont know if your reffering to the tiny curly tail grubs. Or the panther martins, kastmasters etc. But some mfg. you could take a look at are LipRipperz for the grubs. For the kastmaster spoons I really only stick to the three colors gold, silver and metallic perch. For panther martins there are a variaty of patterns and colors you can choose from but some excellant ones that have caught well for me in the Sierras are the gold/yellow, gold/black, yellow salamander, and bucktails.
The way you want to fish them is the way the fish want them. Try various retrevies in various styles. Tip of the rod pointed down...up....fast wind...slow wind...twitches..etc etc Just try and spice it up a bit.
Oh and try to use low memory 4-6lb test.

FknChristopH · Oct-28-2009, 11:20 AM

i use a custom wrapped shikari 9foot mimi jig stick. I forget what model and a shimano reel.

i used a 1/32 ounce white mini jig and thats my main killer. Sometimes I use a yellow head with white skirt 1/32 ounce mini jig as well. Kastmasters are pretty ill too. gold and silver are the only colors I fish.

Good luck.

big steve · Oct-28-2009, 02:32 PM

google marlon meade and look at his aricles he has done on mini jigging. he is the pioneer!!!thats what i fish mostly. 8 pac73 kencor rod among others 501alb cardinal reel with 2# of course berkley xl 2#.

MrSwimbait · Oct-28-2009, 03:31 PM

4 to 5 ft rod MAX rated for 2-6 lb with the smallest spinning reel you can find (line capacity should hold 180 yds of 2 lb test max). I use a 4 ft Kencor and a little Shimano reel (dont know the model) but it holds the amount of line mentioned previously. Use 2 lb test line. The reason for the smaller rods is you get a lot better feel for the mini jigs. Long rods are usually rated for heavier line and are therefore less sensitive. But to each is own. As far as Mini jigs, 1/32 oz is the standard weight in white, yellow, pink, green, glow, yellow and white combo, and black at night. LIke anything else, find the color thats hot and work it, odds are IT WILL be one of those colors mentioned. Make sure you use tube jigs and insert the 1/32 oz head into them or you can buy them already assembled. "Jerry's Jigs" makes badass mini jigs. I would also have some 1/16 oz jigs for fish holding deep or if you need to make longer casts and also some 1/64 oz jigs for sight fishing for finicky fish. Also in the colors i mentioned before. All I do is fish mini jigs and as far as consistency, nothing beats it ( at least where I fish). They are versatile, inexpensive, and a load of fun.

acentner · Oct-28-2009, 05:30 PM

Thanks! I think I am going to spend some serious time with the mini jig next spring. We don't have the monsters you have in CA, state record rainbow is only 12lb or so, but from what I have read this system should still be deadly!

Guess I know what I am buying myself for Christmas!

Thanks for all the replys,

Alex

acentner · Oct-28-2009, 05:37 PM

Where can I order some mini jigs from? I read the article by M. Meade and he lists several mini jigs that he considers his go to jigs... but I don't have access to any here in Phoenix, AZ. If anyone knows of a website or a local shop that would be willing to ship me some jigs that would be bad ass!

samgann93 · Oct-28-2009, 05:57 PM

this is from the lip ripperz site. bes jigs out there imo...

Tackle Retailers Carrying Lip RipperZ Products

fishnazzi · Oct-28-2009, 06:10 PM

Up here in WA kinda stumbled onto a fun way to catch trout it is real basic and it seems to work all over. 1/4 oz leadhead on a 3" senko (green pumpkin,watermelon, smoke) and simply hop it across the bottom in the usual trout areas. Seems to get bit very well and generally by "bigger" fish.

birdman · Oct-29-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishnazzi

Up here in WA kinda stumbled onto a fun way to catch trout it is real basic and it seems to work all over. 1/4 oz leadhead on a 3" senko (green pumpkin,watermelon, smoke) and simply hop it across the bottom in the usual trout areas. Seems to get bit very well and generally by "bigger" fish.

Cool . Bass plastics work down here as well for trout. Drop shotting is taking off . Many guys are using 2 to 3 inch gulp grubs and power worms , but the trout will inhale the bigger stuff as well . I caught several trout while bass fishing last season at my local lake. Drop Shotting with 4 inch roboworms. A guy was in the outdoor news last year with a double digit trout caught on a 6 inch lizard at Irvine Lake . It seems when they are hungry they eat anything . I caught a 5 pound steelhead on a half ounce strike king spinnerbait , fishing for bass on a submerged tree line . Ya never know ?

Joedaplumber · Oct-29-2009, 05:14 PM

live crickets

MrSwimbait · Oct-30-2009, 08:45 AM

you can order 50 or 100 pks from cabella's and they work great. They are called 'Lil Hustlers and they show you a variety of colors but stick to the basics mentioned earlier. get the 1 1/2 inch model. For hooks buy the "Insider Heads" in 1/32 oz. Best value out there and they slay trout. this is the link Cabela's -- Southern Pro Original Lil' Hustlers With Scent - 25 Pack