MyFishFinder Forum
MFF US Northeast => Maine => Topic started by: ougot1 on Apr 06, 2023, 09:15 AM
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I am wanting to try some crappie 2'' soft plastic shads and curly tails on 1/16 oz jig heads for brook trout. i do not know the size of the trout in the ponds and rivers i hope to fish but does a 2'' swimbait seem to big ? and if so what soft plastic would be good to try ? any thoughts appreciated .
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Ask Jim C. He is an expert
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These are pretty popular. https://troutmagnet.com/trout-magnettm-9pc-pack.html
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Years ago my dad and I drifted in a canoe with panfish size twister tail jigs, and had no problem catching brook trout up to 16 inches with them. It was a northern Maine pond by the name of Rainbow Deadwaters. (Piscataquas County.)
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I'm far from an expert (but thanks for the vote of confidence, Wayne). On the other hand, I fish heavily pressured waters and have found a few things that can tip the scale in my favor. I fish marabou and feather way more than I fish plastics. As to the size, 2" is bigger than I normally fish on streams, brooks, and tail waters. I've included a dime in the pics for size comparison. Marabou's, micro shad darts, egg patterns (esp. in Fall), and tungstens are all the mix. There are some small plastics in there, too. Small stuff yes (1/256th to 1/64th oz. typically) , but big fish will eat them and stay pinned if you keep your hooks sharp. A 24" brown fell for the small pink jig in pic#1 last Spring. I add split shot and keep the lures small rather than using heavier jigs. I fish jigs under bobbers a lot in both still and flowing waters. Fish this way in a pond with a salmon chop and watch the rig get yanked under 8) Pic #1 contains a larger size jig (1/32 oz) that I use on bigger lake shorelines.
(https://i.imgur.com/RFNZzoE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vn7NtZI.jpg)
Ask Jim C. He is an expert
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Gulp... 2.5" or 3". Jighead. Done and done. If I told you how many bags of the stuff I go through anually youd fall out of your chair.
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I'm far from an expert (but thanks for the vote of confidence, Wayne). On the other hand, I fish heavily pressured waters and have found a few things that can tip the scale in my favor. I fish marabou and feather way more than I fish plastics. As to the size, 2" is bigger than I normally fish on streams, brooks, and tail waters. I've included a dime in the pics for size comparison. Marabou's, micro shad darts, egg patterns (esp. in Fall), and tungstens are all the mix. There are some small plastics in there, too. Small stuff yes (1/256th to 1/64th oz. typically) , but big fish will eat them and stay pinned if you keep your hooks sharp. A 24" brown fell for the small pink jig in pic#1 last Spring. I add split shot and keep the lures small rather than using heavier jigs. I fish jigs under bobbers a lot in both still and flowing waters. Fish this way in a pond with a salmon chop and watch the rig get yanked under 8) Pic #1 contains a larger size jig (1/32 oz) that I use on bigger lake shorelines.
(https://i.imgur.com/RFNZzoE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vn7NtZI.jpg)
Jim I could use a lesson on jigs under bobbers. Completely foreign to me. You seem to do well on em. Do you work the jig or just let it float around? How far under a bobber?
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Hey, Nick. I do best on the ponds when there's a bit of a chop. The waves provide all the action you need. If it's calm, twitch it around a bit or go with retrieving it a few feet, stopping, and allowing the jig to drop, and repeat. In flowing water, you can use the current to drift the seams real well. As for the distance under the bobber, it depends on the water depth, but 3-4 feet usually ends up doing well. The best idea.....when the ice goes out, we take a field trip to try it out ;)
Jim I could use a lesson on jigs under bobbers. Completely foreign to me. You seem to do well on em. Do you work the jig or just let it float around? How far under a bobber?
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Hey, Nick. I do best on the ponds when there's a bit of a chop. The waves provide all the action you need. If it's calm, twitch it around a bit or go with retrieving it a few feet, stopping, and allowing the jig to drop, and repeat. In flowing water, you can use the current to drift the seams real well. As for the distance under the bobber, it depends on the water depth, but 3-4 feet usually ends up doing well. The best idea.....when the ice goes out, we take a field trip to try it out ;)
I like field trips! Haha
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ive had such good luck fishing pearl, white, pearl/ silver fleck 1 1/2in tubes with internal jigs w/ red hooks. even a 6in. brookie will swallow that. i too use a split shot to get it down in faster water. i need to try the bobber method .
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When I’m using spinning gear, pretty much all I ever use is a 2.5-3” gulp minnow (4” if I’m targeting lake trout or pike) on a jighead that has a wire bait keeper. Ive caught everything on them, from panfish, fallfish and small trout, to lake trout, salmon, bass, pike, and even a bullhead catfish once.
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I love tungsten jigheads.
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Tungsen Jigs are my favorite lure, I wish we could get as good of a supply with out get involved in a China sale!!!!! I like buying them Bulk on line when they come tru mail its like Christmas every time. They help me keep my freezer full of perch fillets for fish cakes .
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I have to increase my supply of tungsten jigs. A new law just passed. After 9/1/2026, it will be illegal to use painted lead jigheads of a ounce or less. Since 2017, unpainted lead ones have been illegal.
Tungsen Jigs are my favorite lure, I wish we could get as good of a supply with out get involved in a China sale!!!!! I like buying them Bulk on line when they come tru mail its like Christmas every time. They help me keep my freezer full of perch fillets for fish cakes .
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There is a local shop that has a large supply of keitech super rounds that I use exclusively. Sometimes the collars break but i dont mind that.
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I've been using https://www.fishusa.com/Eurotackle-Micro-Finesse-Tungsten-Jig-Head/?sku=208741&gclid=CjwKCAjw8symBhAqEiwAaTA__L1mMfSeuz673j5ZhEV4u-iTcgGTiieO0arfcnVJUzEMCeSjBzLM3hoC1XUQAvD_BwE (https://www.fishusa.com/Eurotackle-Micro-Finesse-Tungsten-Jig-Head/?sku=208741&gclid=CjwKCAjw8symBhAqEiwAaTA__L1mMfSeuz673j5ZhEV4u-iTcgGTiieO0arfcnVJUzEMCeSjBzLM3hoC1XUQAvD_BwE). They're really nice, pricey of course, but I'd like to find something similar with heavier hooks for lakers/togue. Any ideas? Need them in 1/16 - 1/8 oz.
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Steve the keitechs come in those sizes. I just picked up a ton of them.
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Steve the keitechs come in those sizes. I just picked up a ton of them.
Thanks Jon. I have a bunch of Keitechs too but even in those lighter weights, the hooks are too big for what I need (tiny YOY smelt imitations, 2-3").
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I have to increase my supply of tungsten jigs. A new law just passed. After 9/1/2026, it will be illegal to use painted lead jigheads of a ounce or less. Since 2017, unpainted lead ones have been illegal.
I know this is an old post but I had to put this here: In Mass lead jigs are illegal but I couldn't find anyone there selling anything other then lead jigs, which included Walmart and Cabelas. Over the phone a clerk at Cabelas said it's illegal to use lead but they are allowed to sell them. She asked me if that made sense. I said, "no."
And of course I couldn't find any tungsten jigs out there but fortunately was able to find them here in Indiana (where lead is legal) before I left for Mass two summers ago.
Not knocking Mass but why bother passing a law if no one has to abide by it? And like a good little boy I emptied out all my lead jigs and sinkers before heading to Mass but apparently didn't have to.
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They dont enforce any fish and game laws in Mass. 30 years fishing there have never been checked for anything. Theres a famous reason why. Its called split shift overtime. Look it up they got tons of news coverage for it.
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They dont enforce any fish and game laws in Mass. 30 years fishing there have never been checked for anything. Theres a famous reason why. Its called split shift overtime. Look it up they got tons of news coverage for it.
Is that the one the state troopers engage in too?
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I have to increase my supply of tungsten jigs. A new law just passed. After 9/1/2026, it will be illegal to use painted lead jigheads of a ounce or less. Since 2017, unpainted lead ones have been illegal.
the 1st one was stupid. the 2nd one is even more stupid. now a complete ban?! idiot politicians that have nothing better to do than being little tyrants! just like the plastic bag ban. plain dumb! rant over!
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Is that the one the state troopers engage in too?
Yup. In the case of the EPO in mass you are more likely to see them doing the overtime shift at a public pool or some other state facility. Costs tax payers a ton of money and we get no enviornmental enforcement.