One of the things you learn when you get into fishing is there is nothing better for learning than time on the water. We can read all we want and ingest that knowledge, but until we get out onto the water and try the techniques we are learning, we won’t become the kind of angler we want to be.
This offseason, I’m planning on spending more time “fun fishing,” and my goal in doing that is to improve.
I look back at my 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series campaign, and I had some moments I’m happy with and others that I’d like to go back and do over. Not that I’m crying over spilled milk because I’m not. I’m kind of looking at what improvements I need to make.
I realized there are a few techniques I didn’t use at all this season that have typically helped with some difference-making bites each year. One is a weightless presentation, another is a Ned rig style and the final is a Micro jig. All three of these presentations are absolute bite-getters for me. I can see a few times where they could have helped improve a finish.
The one I like throwing the most that I will spend a little more time with this offseason is the Missile Jigs Micro Jig by my friend Mike Iaconelli. Micro Jigs are really good anytime we are facing a tough bite or a high fishing pressure situation, but they are especially good in the fall each year.
We have two different versions of Micro Jigs at Missile. The original one has kind of a pill-shaped head and comes in 1/16-ounce, 1/8-ounce and 3/16-ounce. The original Micro Jig is best in water less than 10 feet deep, and as far as a technique, is best fished similar to a Ned rig. With this jig, I make subtle movements, barely moving the jig with the rod tip, or slowly pulling it.
The second version is Ike’s Micro Football Jig. This is more of a “dragging jig,” and it comes in 1/4- and 3/8-ounce sizes. The Micro Football can be pulled, hopped and drug in water as deep as an angler is patient enough to fish it. Both of these jigs pair really well with the new Missile Baits Micro D Bomb as a trailer. It fits them very well.
I fish each of these jigs on a 7-foot, 1-inch medium-fast action Cashion Rods John Crews Icon Series Micro Jig spinning rod paired with a 3000 size spinning reel. I spool it with 12-pound-test Sunline AMZ braid and 8-pound-test Sunline Fluorocarbon Leader material.
The retrieve on these is supposed to be slow. Barely move these jigs and let them soak for a while, especially if you think you are around fish.
A lot of times when I’m around fish, I leave it sitting in one place, and I just shake the rod tip to make it quiver. This generates bites. Most of the time a bite will be detected because your line will simply go slack, and you will see it swimming off. When you do get a bite, just apply pressure to the lure and let the hook set itself. Don’t over swing on the hookset.
Despite the small size of these lures, they have a different feel than your typical finesse offerings. The skirt tends to create more drag in the water, so they feel heavier and can make you move the lure too far, or even make you feel like there is a pressure bite. It takes a bit to get used to the feel of a Micro Jig, so play around with it a little.
This is a dynamite presentation, and I know you’ll have fun learning it. When we have fun, we learn more. So go out and try something new; you’ll learn from it.
