BEST TROUT MINI JIGS
One of the best lures for trout is a trout
mini jig. Whether it’s fished with a light
tackle bobber flowing in the current of
a river or stream, or jigged slowly
through the water, it is sure to entice
even the most picky of trout to strike. A
trout mini jig is a favorite for targeting
wild native trout, as well as planter and hold over trout planted in your favorite lake, river, or stream.
Trout Mini Jigs
Which trout mini jigs are the best?
What is the perfect setup to use trout mini jigs?
How do I fish for trout with mini jigs?
Leland's Lures Trout Magnet Trout Mini Jig
Which mini jigs are are the best for
trout?
Fishing for trout is a kick in the pants when the trout
are plentiful and biting good. Trout are a strong
fighting fish, and wow is it fun to feel the fight on a
light weight rod and reel with light line. They do fight
hard though, so it’s important to set your drag so you
don’t lose the fish on the way in. It’s also important to
choose the right lure.
Mini Jigs are the perfect lure to have in your arsenal to
entice trout to bite. It’s important to balance the
perfect jig body with the perfect jig head to ensure an even sink of the jig instead of what happens with a
lot of jigs that I have tried where the head barrels straight down pulling to the bottom, which makes the
lure not look like a natural bait fish minnow.
What is the perfect setup to use with Trout Mini Jigs?
It is crucial to have the right gear when trying to entice trout to bite. One thing that I like to use is a mini
jig to fish for trout. It’s important to keep the jig off the bottom as trout will typically bite lures and baits
that are in front of them or above them. I like to use 2 pound test line, on a light weight reel, and a long
light weight rod to match. The longer rod will take some of the pressure off of the fishing line itself, to
put less stress on the line which will reduce the risk of having your line break and losing that lunker trout
you are trying to reel in. Let’s take a look at what we recommend to use for the best in using mini jigs for
trout fishing.
Fishing Rod: 5’6” to 7’ Light to Medium Weight Spinning Rod
A light weight fishing rod will provide more feeling and more action when fishing to give you the ability to
sense more strikes, and will also give you more action in feeling the fish fight on as you reel them in. A
longer fishing rod will also take more of the pressure off of the line, and with light line it is critical to take
the pressure off of the line so that the line doesn’t break and you won’t lose your fish.
Fishing Reel: Light to Medium Weight Spinning Reel
The spinning reel should match the spinning rod. Look for a reel for the line rating that you prefer to use.
I would recommend for beginners to start with 4 pound test, and once mastered move to a lower 2
pound test. So look for a reel that is rated to 4 or 6 pound test line.
Fishing Line: 2 to 4 Pound Test Line
Lighter line is easier to cast, and casts further with less weight needed to cast further. Lighter line will
also get less pulling of the line in a current or windy conditions so your line will have a better chance at
staying exactly where you want it. Lighter line is also less visible to fish, to give you more chances for a
trout to bite your jig.
Trout Mini Jig Leader: 2 to 4 Pound Fluorocarbon Fishing Leader
We recommend fluorocarbon line becauset it is invisible under water, and invisible to fish.
Trout Jig Fishing Floats
A light weight fishing float will keep your trout jig at the right depth you are looking for, and keep the jig
off the bottom, so that your lure will be in the strike zone for these trout. The small amount of extra
weight provided by the float will help you cast further. The light weight floats will also help you to detect
the smallest of strikes ensuring a perfectly timed hook set.
Trout Mini Jig Lures
For the jigs, it’s important to get the small jig bodies to entice the trout. I prefer the split tail type body, in
bright colors like chartreuse or pink. I do keep a good stock of an assortment of colors, however, so that
when my bright go to colors aren’t working I like to try out other colors until I find one that the trout will
bite on.
Trout Mini Jig Heads
The jig head is just as important as the jig body as this will control the weigh the jig sinks. It’s important
to have your bait sink evenly, almost flat in the water, to make it look like a bait fish minnow swimming
straight. The jig head size should be light enough to ensure even weight distribution to ensure a straight
jig when sinking. Otherwise you will end up with the jig head barreling down straight towards the bottom
which does not look like the natural bait fish. My preferred size is 1/32 or 1/64 ounce.
How do I fish for trout with mini jigs?
The technique that I prefer to use Trout Mini Jigs to catch more trout is to first check my line for any
abrasions on the line that could cause my line to break on a good fish. I always pull off about five feet of
line, and throw it away, so that any of the line that typically could hit rocks or other obstacles in the water
from my last trip are removed. I then feel the line as I slide the next five feet through my fingers to feel
for any abrasions. If the line is perfectly smooth, then I am good to go. I tie the fluorocarbon leader to
my line, not using any swivels or other hardware. I then hook the jig head on the jig body, ensuring that
the jig hook comes out at the split tail facing up, ensure that it is straight to eliminate any odd
movements of the lure when you are twitching and jigging the lure through the water. I slip on an E-Z
trout float typically about a foot above where the mono and the fluorocarbon are tied together. Then tie
the jig onto the line and you are good to go.
Cast out to where you want to target, let the mini jig sink for a few seconds, then reel and twitch the rod
end up and down as you perform a slow retrieve of the jig. Once you feel that strike, set that hook, and
it’s Fish On! Enjoy!
Other Small Jigs For Fishing For Trout
There are many diffferent types of small jigs that can be used for trout fishing. I like the trout magnet kits
because you get a lot of lures, and everything you need, in a nice convenient carrying case. I like the look,
the feel, and just how much the trout and other fish will tear into them when they hit the water. Other
jigs will also work, and the links below have some other fine lures that can be used for fishing for trout
.
About The Author
Mike Mendenhall is the the founder of Mendenhall Outdoors. This website
is an extension of the Mendenhall family’s lifestyle and passion for the
great outdoors. Everything that they learn, and experience, along the way
that they find may be valuable to our website visitors is on the site for you
to enjoy. We highlight products and services that you might find
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The Best Trout Mini Jig Fishing Experience Awaits!