This summer I rigged creature baits and some craws sideways on a swim jig going for a baitfish profile quite a bit, but didn't learn until tonight how much of a trigger it can be. 

The bait pictured is a smash bug Jr that I found ran sideways like a baitfish if reeled up quickly due to the eye design on the jig with the snap. The water and air temps were sub 40 today on the river, pleasant lol. 

I got one pike working the bait slowly bouncing it of the bottom. Then when I was fast reeling over snags near shore I noticed a fish swipe at the bait, and that was when I noticed it was running sideways with a baitfish profile. I got it to follow at least 10 times even starting a shoreline figure 8. I did eventually hook up and land the pike. 

The big thing I learned was how effective this presentation can really be, while today was pike, I really see this working well, on both a swim jig and a plain jig 

Setting up your Carolina rig with the hook through the lizard's side is an old pro's trick.

It can work and then again...............

Vertical (sideways), is how I rig a Pitboss or Menace on my bladed jigs 100% of the time. It's very effective. 

15 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Vertical (sideways), is how I rig a Pitboss or Menace on my bladed jigs 100% of the time. It's very effective. 

I too have had good success with this rigging, but this was the first time I was able to see how a fish reacted to it. It was really cool to watch. This gave me some confirmation on how good this rigging was. I really wish I got to see more fish strikes, but opportunities like this are pretty rare