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Bluegill jigs are not widely talked about. In the world of freshwater fishing, jigs are typically synonymous with the catching of other game fish. Jigging for crappie, snap jigging for walleye, dragging jigs for bass… these techniques are all well known and all incredibly popular!
But how often do you see anglers targeting bluegill using jigs?
Answer 👉 Not often at all.
In fact, you probably see most bluegill anglers soaking a live worm under a bobber.
Big spoiler alert 👉 jigs are actually one of the most underrated baits you can use for catching bluegill! (Ask me how I know 😎.)
Today’s recipe is one of these bluegill jigs, in a fathead minnow pattern. Look to use this gorgeous little jig under a float, or simply cast it out and slowly drift it back!
However you fish it, you are sure to catch bluegill (and probably some crappie too) with this dandy little bait.
Fathead Minnow Bluegill Jigs Recipe
Jighead
👉 Weedless Ballhead Jig Mold ($48)
Putting my weedless ballhead jig mold to great use again here. Since this jig is meant for bluegill fishing, I opted for a small 1/32 oz jighead. Bluegill will hit even smaller jigs, but 1/32 oz is a nice sweet spot that allows you to also catch a nice crappie when necessary 😉.
👉 Sunburst Nova Stone Chameleon Powder Paint ($8.95)
I don’t have enough good things to say about the Nova Stone powder paints at Barlow’s Tackle. Who doesn’t love a good colorshift?!?!
And that gold sunburst color… Wowsers, take my money! 💸
It’s simply the perfect color for mimicking the gold hues of a fathead minnow.
👉 Mustad 32500BN #6 Hook ($7 / 100)
Round bend hooks are typically the norm when I build jigs. But not today.
I’ve heard a lot of great things about these little Mustad sickle hooks – word on the street is they keep fish pinned really well!
Time to put them to the test. Stay tuned to hear how well they perform!
Material
👉 Black Ultra Thread 140 Denier Flat Wax Nylon ($2.59)
Doesn’t get simpler than UTC Ultra Thread Flat Waxed Nylon. Using 140 denier here to keep the thread from building up too much at the collar.
👉 White Ultra Thread 140 Denier Flat Wax Nylon ($2.59)
The black thread by itself would be more than enough to anchor the craft fur onto the hook shank. But I’m adding some white thread as well to give the collar a little extra pizzaz, a little extra contrast.
👉 Black Hareline Extra Select Craft Fur ($3.59)
Using solid black craft fur for the top of this jig pattern. Now some people are hesitant to use craft fur, since it is a synthetic material. My experience? It’s amazing stuff.
Why do I love it?
You can stack multiple colors very easily ✅
It provides a very natural tapered profile ✅
It’s available in tons of colors ✅
It’s both durable and affordable ✅
👉 White Hareline Extra Select Craft Fur ($3.59)
This white craft fur both balances out the black top and provides a nice belly color for our fathead minnow pattern. White is a great color all on its own, but it’s simply fantastic as a belly color for on these jig color patterns.
👉 Black Krystal Flash ($4.79)
The final touch – a little spritz of black krystal flash to give our minnow a sparkly lateral line! Gold flash would work great here too. Play around and see which color flash you like better!
Want to learn how to make your own baits?
Then check out these super handy articles 👇
- How To Make A Spinner In Less Than 5 Minutes
- Bass Jigs: A Complete Guide To Making Your Own
- Jig Molds: The Best Molds For Making Amazing Jigs
- The Best Soft Plastic Bait Molds For Making Amazing Baits
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Don’t forget about tiny baits and jigs for Bluegill. We’ve caught our limit on green and black and gold and black Trout Magnets from Cabela’s or Bass Pro. Even used them through the ice when other things did not work. The fish are less intimidated by small bait and will come pick at them until you hook em’. We like pink 1/64 or 1/32 oz ball jigs and Kaelin’s Tennessee Shad curly tail grub on 4lb test Mr Crappie yellow line. 1/16 oz jigs for getting down to the weed beds for Perch. I sometimes tip the hook tip with a little piece of NightCrawler for scent or spray a little scent attractant on the jig before casting. We’ve caught limits of Small and Largemouth Bass, Crappie,Bluegill, Perch, Northern,and Walleye. Great Fishing to You!🐠🐟🎣😀👍
Absolutely. If you know, you know!! Great to hear from you, sir!