Interesting dilemma

[Radar420]

I've begun to encounter an interesting problem while fishing LSC lately. I think I've finally got a pretty good spot picked out and am now starting to see some pigs swimming underneath my hole. My problem is that the big ones are consistently going after this lure tipped with a minnow.

http://www.northlandtackle.com/Category/main.taf?cat=142

The problem arises, however, over this lures "bug" eyes. Since perch eat minnows head first they always seem to suck this lure down but the hook point is OUTSIDE the jaw:yikes: I had numerous large fish come in yesterday to that jig with no bait only to suck it in "backwards" and frustrate the heck out of me.

Any suggestions short of using a spear???

[Greenbush future]

Lay it on the bottom when they come in.

[andy capp]

When they come in try a different jig

[tommytubular]

How about putting a small hook (like a sz 12 egg hook) on the line before you tie the jig on....and just let it slide on the line........when they bite the head of the jig they should have the hook too.


I would aslo think another rod rigged with a Kens spoon or the like dropped down when the fish are in and one has your northland jig would pick up a few fish....providing they are in a schooling/feeding mode

[RiverNut]

those big fish get big by missin the hook.....they take alot of minnows tail first when the minnow has a jig in it's mouth...frustrates the heck outta me...i had bigguns miss the dang bait alot on saturday....pullin it away from the small ones and then bigboy misses it and swims away....

[SomeYahoo]

Had some luck this weekend putting the jig through the dorsal... they would take it head first and get the hook.

or maybe I'm misunderstanding the problem... Either way, started getting the fish that had been missing.

[Joe Archer]

I would change the jig that I use for a minnow. I rarely use minnows, and when I do I like to use a two hook rig. Try placing a thinner spoon or straight hook about a foot over the jig shown in your picture. Use spikes in your bottom hook. When the fish come in you will pull double headers. When it is fast and furious you can go down and catch fish on the spike without having to waste time putting the minnow on.
If you try it, let me know what you think?
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[Radar420]

Thanks for replies guys. When I'm fishing I usually use the jig mentioned above tipped with a minnow in one hole and a teardrop with wigglers or mousies in another hole. I keep an extra rod with a fast snap on it to use for spoons or jigging raps for when the schools come in but its that Northland jig that gets the jumbos flying in from out of nowhere and smacking the bait. The big ones don't even look at anything I have to offer and I go out on the ice with seven rods rigged seven different ways:yikes: I'm beginning to think that it is the rattle from the bug eyes that get the fish aggressive as I can jig the hook without any bait yet the big fish will still hit it. I just remembered I bought some glow rattle jigs last year and i'm going to give those a try next. If that doesn't work I'm going to try some of the above suggestions.

I was also thinking about trying to find a small jigging rap in a similar color to the bait I've been using, removing the treble hook, and maybe glueing some rattling eyes to it. Might be a little late in the year for that project though.