Jig Man

Jigs, Ned, shaky, swim baits 90%+

I’ve been wearing them for more than 15 years. They are fully washable, just toss them in the machine with most any load. They are all that I use except for beaded jerseys on really cold days.

I don’t know anyone who would comment about my equipment. If I did I’d think sour grapes.

I would also like to catch a big spot. Table Rock lake has tens of thousands of them, however, the size rarely exceeds 3#. Our state record is 7#. I have never even had a 4# spot.

https://egolfgloves.com/usgrain.html I wear these year round.

I have 2 6’6” St Croix Premier rods like yours. I use them for crappie and have them rigged with Shimano 1000 reels and 10# Power Pro braid. I also use them for white bass.

I’m not sure how important that is. Like I said I have been making and using them for 20 years. I don’t remember ever catching a fish on a longer middle wire so I quit using them.

My best guess is that it is more economical to make the wires the same length for mass production. Here is the wire harness that I use.

I have both your #1 and #2 rods. I use the ml for that kind of fishing with Shimano 2500 sized reels, 15# braid and 10# fluorocarbon leader. The m works better with heavier baits.

AZman or Strike King Elaztech worm are my go to Shaky baits. I fish it year round. I have used many types of heads and hooks. What I have settled on is a modified Midwest Finesse mold using VMC 1/0 and 2/0 hooks which I get from Zeiners. I use them from 1/16 oz to 1/4 oz depending on the wind and depth. I have several colors and I have to try different ones to find the bite. I fish them on 2 custom rods that I have had built expressly for Shaky fishing. They are rigged with Shimano X70 reels with 12# fluorocarbon line.

That’s the way I do it along with swim baits and some lighter weight jigs. I use hi vis yellow and white for visibility as well as feel.

Strictly from a personal point of view, I don’t make the middle wire longer. I’ve tried it and not found it to make any noticeable difference. Most of my fish are caught on one of the outside wires. Bait style and color as well as blade type and color are more important than the wire length for me.

Welcome Eli. You are correct about fluorocarbon and spinning reels. I think you are on the right track with the braid to leader idea. I’m sure you will get several recommendations for the sizes. I personally have settled on 15# braid with 10# fluorocarbon leaders. I use this for Ned rigs, light jigs and swim baits. I fish clear highland reservoirs and the 10# leaders work well and the 15# braid gives me decent cast lengths. I hope you get something figured out.

I am on information overload. I want a hi vis far casting braid. I’ve been a Power Pro hi vis or white user for 20+ years.

I need to put some braid on a Gloomis Bronzeback 6’9” ml rod with a Shimano 70 on it. I am having shoulder trouble and need to fish Neds with a bait caster for a while. I normally use this setup for small to medium swimbaits with fluorocarbon line. I think I need braid for the feel of Ned bites and better casting. This setup doesn’t work well with baits under 1/8 oz. I fish a lot of timber and rocks so 15# is my go to.

It’s hard to listen to a guy in shorts talking about winter.

Gamakatsu hooks are what I use on my swim bait heads. I haven’t had any trouble sharpening them. Most of my other hooks are Mustad and Victory, no issues with them.

I don’t have water proof but I have a system that works for me. I but those beaded jersey gloves because the regular ones are slippery while I can have good grip with the beaded. I take 2 or 3 pairs with me. When one gets damp I use another one. My coat has inside chest pockets so it goes in there and my body heat can dry it. I could probably get the same thing with putting them in with hot pockets to dry them. At any rate I haven’t needed more than 3 pairs for a day. I get them at Wally World for a couple of bucks each. You can get them in lots of places. https://www.ebay.com/itm/162589016028?chn=ps&var=461592482505&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-166974-028196-7&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=461592482505_162589016028&targetid=2275367127251&device=t&mktype=pla&googleloc=1020569&poi=&campaignid=21065563879&mkgroupid=160223808192&rlsatarget=pla-2275367127251&abcId=9387185&merchantid=118864248&geoid=1020569&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_QDh9DWAoZjwWc1DglxD7ed4t4I&gclid=CjwKCAiAg8S7BhATEiwAO2-R6gvkcCdAl-oCzJvC0-wII-63ASvvgaT01Ewq4ZTMTmVuTlvg41jrwxoCA_wQAvD_BwE

Go to a C Store and get one of those red coffee stirring straws. Put it on the line next to the bait until you don’t need it.

Many states have guys at rest areas. If you are towing a boat they will stop you and spray your unit with hot water.

You should have several options for a 55# tmotor. A good lithium battery will cut down the weight a bunch. I have a 100 ah for all my electronics and it only weighs 27#.

Ethernet is how units share info. Updated software is usually a good thing.

The only house brand that I buy is Redhead products from BPS. They are good. Most other stuff is sketchy.

Twin tail grubs (4”) that I pour to match or contrast to the jig.

Not any more. I fish a couple of times a week and it all get mixed up so I keep an Excel file where I record pertinent information.