Missile Baits micro jigs

[CountryboyinDC]

I just got some tackle in the mail that I'd forgotten I ever ordered - it had some Megabass Dark Sleepers and frogs that were backordered at the time (probably the Dark Sleepers are what held it up 4 months).  At any rate, this little jig, and I mean little jig, is what I'd like some advice on.  This particular one is 1/8 oz and the hook is probably like a 2 (not 2/0, that's a nickle beside it for comparison sake).  It has the vertical line tie about perpendicular to the long axis of the hook.  So it's similar dimension-wise to a SK Bitsy Bug as I remember, but it's been a while since I tried one of those.  I'm going to be on a shallow river (South fork of the Shenandoah) this Saturday and wanted to try this bait out.  Here are the things I'm considering:

1. Should I glue in the brushguard?  As I remember, I got plenty of bites on the Bitsy Bug, but didn't my hookup ratio was so bad that I quit using it after a couple of hours.  Looking back, the brushguard might have been the problem.  By another token, the brushguard might keep this thing from getting snagged every cast.  I do a lot of what I call 'drift casting' along the riffles that I fish this time of year, and the current has a way of sticking your baits/hooks into any conceivable crevice, stick, or piece of vegetation.

2. Should I use a trailer?  I also remember using a small grub on the back of the Bitsy Bug, and considered that might be my problem for the hookup.  When I took off the grub, the bite died off, which may have been the time of day or the part of the river I was fishing.  I stuck the grub back on and fished it for a while, but don't remember the bite returning, and I think I just put that bait down and went back to a Senko (my go-to at that time).  I'm wondering whether a jig like this will even work without a trailer.  I've only used hair jigs without something as a trailer.

Thanks for any suggestions you have, especially if you've used this particular bait.

 

  

[DSTN]

I picked up a pack of those jigs. Haven't used them much but I did opt for gluing in the brush guard. It's pretty light so I dont think it should cause hookset issues.  I would say these are definitely smaller than a bitsy big jig, especially the hook. For a trailer I've been using the Tiny Paca Chunk and I think it looks like a pretty good combo.

[CountryboyinDC]

@DSTN, thanks.  I use a Paca chunk on my finesse jigs a lot of the time, but I don't think I've ever used (or seen) a tiny chunk.  Have you landed any fish with that combo?  Just thinking, that would really simulate the small crawdads younfjnd in the river.

[Bluebasser86]

I haven't fished that exact jig, but I make a tiny jig of my own that I use frequently that is similar. I make mine with 1 or 2 strands of fiber weedguard and that seems to be plenty to keep it from snagging without interfering with hook ups. I always use a trailer, my favorite being the 2 3/4" YUM craw papi with a little of the bait trimmed off to fit. I believe it's ISG that also makes a tiny chunk trailer that fits perfectly on them. This is an 1/8oz jig next to a quarter for scale. 

 

The hook on the Bitsy Bug isn't great, and was likely a big part of why you were having issue hooking fish on it. 

[DSTN]

I haven't given the jigs enough time to get any fish on them yet but I think it's only a matter of time till I do.

[CountryboyinDC]

The head on yours looks a little different and I can't tell if yours has a bait keeeper, but it looks a lot the same, @Bluebasser86.  The weedguard that came with it has 7 strands, but @DSTNconvinced me to glue them on anyway, and I think there's some wisdom in that.  I can always cut a few strands or the whole thing off on the river.  I ordered some of the tiny Paca chunks yesterday hoping to have them for the trip, but in spite of paying three times the going price on Amazon with Prime shipping, I got notification last night that they'll be here next week.  So small grubs is what I have. If this jig works out, I may get a couple more and try the small Yum craw @Bluebasser86 mentioned too.  I've used the regular sized one before noon a T-rig and had some decent luck, it could be all the bite juice that they put on them.  I'll let you all know how it worked out.  Thanks.

[TBAG]

9 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I haven't fished that exact jig, but I make a tiny jig of my own that I use frequently that is similar. I make mine with 1 or 2 strands of fiber weedguard and that seems to be plenty to keep it from snagging without interfering with hook ups. I always use a trailer, my favorite being the 2 3/4" YUM craw papi with a little of the bait trimmed off to fit. I believe it's ISG that also makes a tiny chunk trailer that fits perfectly on them. This is an 1/8oz jig next to a quarter for scale. 

 

The hook on the Bitsy Bug isn't great, and was likely a big part of why you were having issue hooking fish on it. 

 

What other brand jig do you recommend that has a better hook than the bitsy bug? I haven't used it much but plan on throwing one in the creek soon.

[Bluebasser86]

9 minutes ago, TBAG said:

 

What other brand jig do you recommend that has a better hook than the bitsy bug? I haven't used it much but plan on throwing one in the creek soon.

Depends on the size you need. The Bitsy Flip has a much better hook but doesn't come in the smaller size that the regular bitsy does. Terminator makes a nice one with a good hook, as small as 1/8oz, and a small weedguard. They're also priced right.

[paulmandude]

This bait was made in mind of using a Ned rig bait like Missile Baits Ned Bomb or similar like zmans trd although I’m sure a tiny realistic craw would be perfect.  It’s pretty much in line with zmans Ned rig jig but tested by John Crews/Mike Iaconelli. I’m pretty sure you want to use the same equipment and retrieves you would using a Ned rig. It just gives the fish a different look

[CountryboyinDC]

19 minutes ago, paulmandude said:

This bait was made in mind of using a Ned rig bait like Missile Baits Ned Bomb or similar like zmans trd although I’m sure a tiny realistic craw would be perfect.  It’s pretty much in line with zmans Ned rig jig but tested by John Crews/Mike Iaconelli. I’m pretty sure you want to use the same equipment and retrieves you would using a Ned rig. It just gives the fish a different look

It does look like a Ned rig jighead I use (Owner Blockhead), but even though the head of the jighead is lighter, the hook is at least a 1/0, maybe a 2/0, I don't remember.  This micro jig has a tiny hook; I'm going to say a size 2.  I plan to get some small craw chunks, but if there's nothing else that looks better in my plastics binder, I may try a TRD worm or something.

[smalljaw67]

17 hours ago, paulmandude said:

This bait was made in mind of using a Ned rig bait like Missile Baits Ned Bomb or similar like zmans trd although I’m sure a tiny realistic craw would be perfect.  It’s pretty much in line with zmans Ned rig jig but tested by John Crews/Mike Iaconelli. I’m pretty sure you want to use the same equipment and retrieves you would using a Ned rig. It just gives the fish a different look

Micro style jigs have been around a long time, way before the Ned rig became popular. I know because I've been making micro jigs for close to 20 years. They are in a similar situation the Ned rig was in before Z-Man exposed it to the masses. A lot of anglers have been using micro jigs (1/32oz - 1/4oz depending on head style) for years but it isn't talked about much. There are clubs throughout NY, PA, and NJ that have winter tournaments and I'm guessing that is where Iaconelli learned the technique since it is basically used in cold water but also a tactic for clear and/or pressured water. If you don't overpower that bait using heavy line, rods, and reel they will catch fish and not just numbers. The smaller light wire hooks will not bend out when using the proper tackle but remember, the weed guards are light too, so you aren't throwing them into heavy cover. In fact the weed guard is basically there to keep the small heads from getting wedged in rocks and light brush. There are trailers made for this style of jig but they are usually Japanese and are a little pricey.  http://www.leesglobaltackle.com/category-s/177.htm

[CountryboyinDC]

@smalljaw67, I was planning on putting on a 7' ML spinning rod with a 6 or 8 lb flurocarbon leader and braid mainline (I think 12 lb, but I'd have to go look at the original spool, I just know it's yellow).  I went out to the shop last night to see what kind of trailers I had on hand because what I ordered didn't arrive.  I didn't have much, just some grubs that I could use for panfish.  The way I plan to fish them, I was thinking the weed guard would just keep them getting pushed into something by current.  If you see any flaws in my plan or anything else that might help, please let me know.  Thanks.

[CountryboyinDC]

I just wanted to thank you all and let you know how the jig did.  I hoped to have caught a bunch, but we're having a pretty rough year for the river smallmouth here.  I've been 3 times using this jig, and caught 1 dink on it.  My total with all baits is 12 (none a foot long), with about 20 hours of fishing.  So there's not a lot to tell; hopefully the catch rates of years past will return so I can do a worthwhile test.

[waymont]

I never have any issues with Bitsy Bugs and hooking fish. I use 8lb Red label as a leader with 8 or 10lb braid.

I like the 1/8oz and 3/16oz  the best, but in shallow water the 1/16oz is cool too. I do best with the end of a Yum Warning Shot or Kill Shot. Sometimes a TRD  or the Tiny Paca Chunk too, if you want an even slower fall. I like the hooks on the Bitsy Bugs.

[craww]

Ive used the conquistador mini-craw jig trailers w/little 1/16oz terminator jigs for years. Handpoured w/awesome colors and the softer plastic works well on them. Theres even a photo on their website w/a nickel if that helps you size them lol.

[CountryboyinDC]

@craww, those look a lot different than the small Paca chunks I bought.  Those might be better suited for a finesse presentation like this.  Right now, I haven't had the fishing conditions to test it, and may not for a few years around here.

@waymont, the hook on this jig is a good bit smaller than the Bitsy Bug, it may be a size 2 or so.  I was thinking that the weedguard on that jig was maybe what was making hookups less than ideal, but @Bluebasser86 (who's obviously tried a lot of baits in his day) believes it's the hooks.  I had the idea that I could use this bait pretty much everywhere on the river, but the jury is still out for me on this one.

[waymont]

13 hours ago, CountryboyinDC said:

the hook on this jig is a good bit smaller than the Bitsy Bug, it may be a size 2 or so.  I was thinking that the weedguard on that jig was maybe what was making hookups less than ideal, but

The bitsy bug jig weed guard is so light, so using 8lb (I've even gone down to 6lb test) line and a decent fast action rod you should have no issue setting the hook. I see no reason to spend the money on that Ike jig. I've been using bitsy bug jigs and bitsy flip jigs forever, and I think they are very good jigs. The small sizes  1/16, 1/8, 3/16oz bitsy bug is a pretty light jig, and should be used with lighter rods and line than standard bass jigs. It is a finesse jig for sure. Small jigs catch big fish along with the smaller fish. Good luck!

[Steveo-1969]

20 minutes ago, waymont said:

The bitsy bug jig weed guard is so light, so using 8lb (I've even gone down to 6lb test) line and a decent fast action rod you should have no issue setting the hook. I see no reason to spend the money on that Ike jig. I've been using bitsy bug jigs and bitsy flip jigs forever, and I think they are very good jigs. The small sizes  1/16, 1/8, 3/16oz bitsy bug is a pretty light jig, and should be used with lighter rods and line than standard bass jigs. It is a finesse jig for sure. Small jigs catch big fish along with the smaller fish. Good luck!

I totally agree with @waymont. Now maybe because of the much smaller hook on the Missile Ike jig we aren't really comparing apples to apples with the Strike King Bitsy Bug jig? But when I'm fishing for river smallmouth in a shallow rocky (snaggy) river the Bitsy Bug has been my go-to jig for years. I have no problem with the hook, I think it's a 2/0 Eagle Claw bronze hook (?). They are usually very sharp out of the package, but also sharpen easily with a hook file. And best of all I can buy them for $1.79 online all day/every day. The Ike jig is $5.99? Holy moly. With as many jigs as I lose I'm easily saving $100 a year and don't feel I'm compromising productivity in any way. YMMV

[CountryboyinDC]

2 hours ago, Steveo-1969 said:

And best of all I can buy them for $1.79 online all day/every day. The Ike jig is $5.99?

That's for 2.  For the size of these jigs they're not super cheap.  They're made in the US near where I grew up, so there's that.  You get to glue in the skirts too, so you're helping with the assembly process. 

Where I'd miss most of the fish (also where I catch the most) with the Bitsy Bug is in the trailing pools and eddie's.  I've found that I miss more with some baits in those places and so I sometimes have to adjust or just quit using a bait if I get too frustrated (ie I always Texpose rather than Texas rig Senkos).  For the Bitsy Bug, I'm sure I was using a ML spinning rod with braid (I think 10 to 15 lb) and a fluorocarbon leader 6 or 8 lb.  I used the same setup (or a similar one) with this jig, but with only 1 fish, it's hard to say how well this one is working.

[Choporoz]

Next time on South Fork, bump up your jig size.  Micro can get overwhelmed by the current.  1/4 oz will allow you to get them into those deeper pools.  Small crazy flappers for trailer....or Rage Tail Menace....and hang on.

[Steveo-1969]

1 hour ago, CountryboyinDC said:

That's for 2.  For the size of these jigs they're not super cheap.  They're made in the US near where I grew up, so there's that.  You get to glue in the skirts too, so you're helping with the assembly process. 

Where I'd miss most of the fish (also where I catch the most) with the Bitsy Bug is in the trailing pools and eddie's.  I've found that I miss more with some baits in those places and so I sometimes have to adjust or just quit using a bait if I get too frustrated (ie I always Texpose rather than Texas rig Senkos).  For the Bitsy Bug, I'm sure I was using a ML spinning rod with braid (I think 10 to 15 lb) and a fluorocarbon leader 6 or 8 lb.  I used the same setup (or a similar one) with this jig, but with only 1 fish, it's hard to say how well this one is working.

Ah, so $3/jig is a little easier to swallow! I fish the 3/16 ounce jig (with shortened SK Baby Rage Craw trailer) with a ML blank rated 1/8-1/2 ounce, and 10# FC or co-poly. No problems getting hook penetration on the hookset. But I have another ML powered rod I wouldn't use with this jig, even with braid, because it's not powerful enough.

[CountryboyinDC]

@Choporoz I pretty much always have a finesse jig 1/4 oz or better for the deeper places like before the Karo rapid, etc.  I use the War Eagle or Santone ones with the heavy hooks and a Paca chunk trailer.  Still haven't gotten a citation out of that river, and this year people are calling me lucky when I catch 1 or 2.  I sure do hope there's a recovery in years ahead.

@Steveo-1969 I have 2 ML rods that I generally take with me, and I consider the ALX (the model is 'Shake') to be more powerful and faster.  The other is a Falcon, and it's closer to a moderate and feels less powerful, so I use it for Aguilas, Wee Craws, and soft baits on a jighead with no weedguard.  I suspect the problem is the person holding the rod in my case, rather than any of the tackle.