Tiny Finesse Jig

[Nathan Garlinghouse]

Hey everyone wanted to share something with y’all. So I’ve been playing around with my spinning rods again considering I haven’t touched them in a while and have found a lot of success with this little jig combo, especially for smallmouth. Hell I’ve even been catching walleye with it too lol. I’ve been using the Strike King Bitsy Bug Mini Jig and as a trailer I’ve been using the Reins Ring Craw. Let me tell you I’ve been absolutely crushing them on it up north it’s been incredible. This has been the most successful fishing day I’ve had in a long time. Figured I’d share for you guys that have high pressure or clear water!! If you try it, let me know what you think!! I put it next to a Rage Bug so you guys could see, this thing is TINY and has been awesome!!

[PaulVE64]

I like it!

[Nathan Garlinghouse]

2 minutes ago, PaulVE64 said:

I like it!

I figured it may be useful to some! It’s been super great for me and I actually prefer the Reins craw over the TRD craw for this as well. Scented and it has a better action as well! Give it a try! ?

[KP Duty]

Me likey.  I'll be trying them out....when I can get at least 20% off.  Those are pricey!

[Nathan Garlinghouse]

2 hours ago, KP Duty said:

Me likey.  I'll be trying them out....when I can get at least 20% off.  Those are pricey!

Unfortunately they are a little expensive.. but they are worth it imo! As trailers I also like the 2.8” Keitech Crazy Flapper and the 3” Netbait Paca Craw. Those are also good alternatives for this! 

[KP Duty]

22 minutes ago, Nathan Garlinghouse said:

Unfortunately they are a little expensive.. but they are worth it imo! As trailers I also like the 2.8” Keitech Crazy Flapper and the 3” Netbait Paca Craw. Those are also good alternatives for this! 

Word.  Got the 3" Paca's in stock.  Another forum member swears by the Bruiser baits Intruder jr., and it's in my wishlist also.  I like strange....baits and women ?

 

[LrgmouthShad]

Okay I actually really like that combo. Thank you. I am not wild about the bitsy bug, but the bitsy flip has no real competitor in the world of tiny, stout hooked jigs.

[Nathan Garlinghouse]

26 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Okay I actually really like that combo. Thank you. I am not wild about the bitsy bug, but the bitsy flip has no real competitor in the world of tiny, stout hooked jigs.

I’m not crazy about the Bitsy bug either tbh, and I couldn’t agree more. The Bitsy flip is awesome! Give the combo a try and let me know what you think! It’s been awesome for me this far! 

[LrgmouthShad]

3 minutes ago, Nathan Garlinghouse said:

I’m not crazy about the Bitsy bug either tbh, and I couldn’t agree more. The Bitsy flip is awesome! Give the combo a try and let me know what you think! It’s been awesome for me this far! 

It will be a while before I try because bait monkey is absolutely crushing me rn but I will take a look sometime late this year or early next year. 

[Darth-Baiter]

i killed with the Keitech finesse jig and simply a 3" section of bit off Senko.    or a very similar Rage bug thing i can never remember the name of.  

[Nathan Garlinghouse]

49 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i killed with the Keitech finesse jig and simply a 3" section of bit off Senko.    or a very similar Rage bug thing i can never remember the name of.  

That’s awesome, I’ve had a lot of luck with small jigs but this specific trailer has been the difference for me. It’s really separated itself from the rest in my opinion! 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Ring Craws are sleepers in every size, but the 3" is probably my favorite.  Reins makes some high quality stuff, but the prices have really gone up since the bat flu.  

17 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Okay I actually really like that combo. Thank you. I am not wild about the bitsy bug, but the bitsy flip has no real competitor in the world of tiny, stout hooked jigs.

You ever try a Riot Minima?  Theyre the best little flippin jig Ive ever used, about same size as a bitsy.  They almost doubled in price when they went to tungsten, which I have mixed feelings about.  I wish they still offered them in lead.  

[WRB]

23 hours ago, Nathan Garlinghouse said:

Hey everyone wanted to share something with y’all. So I’ve been playing around with my spinning rods again considering I haven’t touched them in a while and have found a lot of success with this little jig combo, especially for smallmouth. Hell I’ve even been catching walleye with it too lol. I’ve been using the Strike King Bitsy Bug Mini Jig and as a trailer I’ve been using the Reins Ring Craw. Let me tell you I’ve been absolutely crushing them on it up north it’s been incredible. This has been the most successful fishing day I’ve had in a long time. Figured I’d share for you guys that have high pressure or clear water!! If you try it, let me know what you think!! I put it next to a Rage Bug so you guys could see, this thing is TINY and has been awesome!!

What size Mini jig? 1/16, 1/8, 3/16 or 1/4 oz?

Tom

[Nathan Garlinghouse]

37 minutes ago, WRB said:

What size Mini jig? 1/16, 1/8, 3/16 or 1/4 oz?

Tom

All depending how deep you’re fishing, for me im fishing a lot of water in the 6-12 foot range so I have been using 3/16 oz and 1/4 oz! Occasionally I use the 1/8th but 3/16th has been my go to size ?

[Nibbles]

Funny, I also tend to do better up north when fishing in MN when I downsize my jigs.

 

My most productive jighead up there is the 3/32 oz Keitech Super Round with a #2 or #1 hook.

 

Usually hand tie finesse-cut jig skirts onto them w/ 26 gauge wire and pair with a Keitech 2.5" swing impact, 2.5" twin tail grub, or 3" Kalins Scrub (twin paddletail creature)

 

Pike seem to love them too.

 

They don't look like much, but they work for me!

[Justinfish]

I used to do real well on the 1/16 and 1/8oz bitsy bug with a tiny paca chunk trailer. 

[LrgmouthShad]

I had a day this year when downsizing - in the late winter/early prespawn, no less - got me a good quality bass. I was targeting offshore brush piles from the bank and switched from a big living rubber jig to a bitsy flip with z craw jr and got a nice MO largemouth 

[fishwizzard]

I'm a huge fan of tiny jigs and the ring claw is an excellent trailer.   I also really like using chunk trailers on small jigs. I thread them through the body like you would with a normal plastic, the flat bottom makes them skip easily and helps slow the fall even more.  

[Munkin]

On 7/11/2023 at 3:27 PM, Nathan Garlinghouse said:

Hey everyone wanted to share something with y’all. So I’ve been playing around with my spinning rods again considering I haven’t touched them in a while and have found a lot of success with this little jig combo, especially for smallmouth. Hell I’ve even been catching walleye with it too lol. I’ve been using the Strike King Bitsy Bug Mini Jig and as a trailer I’ve been using the Reins Ring Craw. Let me tell you I’ve been absolutely crushing them on it up north it’s been incredible. This has been the most successful fishing day I’ve had in a long time. Figured I’d share for you guys that have high pressure or clear water!! If you try it, let me know what you think!! I put it next to a Rage Bug so you guys could see, this thing is TINY and has been awesome!!

 

What size Reins craw is that?

 

Allen 

[Bluebasser86]

Tiny jigs are fun. I make my own and they're like magic some days.

 

[GRiver]

I’ve used that jig before but with a tiny paca craw…. It was a smallie catcher for sure. 

[Bankbeater]

During the summer I catch more with a 1/8 jig with some type of craw trailer on it.  Casting a 3/8 or 1/2 jig is a waste of time.

[PaulVE64]

1/8 oz handtied finesse swim jigs