Catching fish with plastic baits and jigs: I can’t seem to catch any fish with a jig or plastic bait. I have spinner baits, chatter baits, trick tail minnow, rooster tail which I lost...

Mariaangelav Loc: Northeast Ohio

I can’t seem to catch any fish with a jig or plastic bait. I have spinner baits, chatter baits, trick tail minnow, rooster tail which I lost when it got hooked on a log, hybrid shrimp, a frog and all kind of big and little plastic baits. The only thing I have caught was some blue gill and crappie with a hook and worm. I’m fishing at Nimisila Reservoir which is part of Portage Lakes in North Eastern Ohio.

I don’t think my technique is wrong. I’m not sure if the water isn’t deep enough yet or if it isn’t warm enough yet.

Do you have any thoughts on this?

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Definitely its your LOFT

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Mariaangelav wrote:

I can’t seem to catch any fish with a jig or plast... (show quote)

You are not alone Maria, same boat here and the need to change to live bait might just be the same for you.

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

plumbob wrote:

You are not alone Maria, same boat here and the need to change to live bait might just be the same for you.

Some days it seems like only
live bait will do the job ! In over
50 years of fishing, using night- crawlers has seldom failed me !

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Big A wrote:

Some days it seems like only
live bait will do the job ! In over
50 years of fishing, using night- crawlers has seldom failed me !

Only problem i have with worms is buying them. Kind of like buying water to drink. Just aint right, especially when they are everywhere.

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

plumbob wrote:

Only problem i have with worms is buying them. Kind of like buying water to drink. Just aint right, especially when they are everywhere.

If you have a garden and/or are physically able to dig them, that's
fine ! For some folks, buying is the only option - somebody's gotta get paid for digging or raising them !

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Big A wrote:

If you have a garden and/or are physically able to dig them, that's
fine ! For some folks, buying is the only option - somebody's gotta get paid for digging or raising them !

Oh i hear you Big, just one of my many quirks.

hemihappy Loc: pawleys island s.c.

Do you use gulp at all. I like gulp and Z-Man brand plastics. Your presentation is everything, so it seems, make sure you use flouro leader as the fish may be wary of what you are throwing. Very hard to beat live bait but it can be done. Good luck.

Mariaangelav Loc: Northeast Ohio

Thanks for the ideas! I have not used gulp. I do use Zman plastics. I use NED rigs with TRD TicklerZ, Finesse TRD, and TRD BugZ. I also have several smaller plastics. I have tried spinner baits and rooster tails. I have not tried using a fluro lead. How would I connect that to my line?

Betts Loc: Finger Lakes NY

I’ve been having the same problem, Maria. Frustrating, isn’t it? I’ve caught a lot of bass on a jitterbug and Rapala bumble bug or crickhopper, but I’ve had no luck with any of them this year. My favorite spots are getting weedy and those baits are no good in that setting so I’ve tried Texas and wacky rig with plastics - nothing. Pad crasher frog is great in the weeds and my grandson has had luck with it...me? Not yet. I always go back to night crawlers and they always do the trick. I just feel kinda amateurish when using them. Starting to let go of that, though, thanks to the folks here. And they work.

Mariaangelav Loc: Northeast Ohio

Betts, I have tried a Texas jig with a plastic worm which was recommended to me by a salesman at Dicks. I lost two of them that got stuck in some muck. I’m going to try some minnows in a different spot. Wish me luck!

Betts Loc: Finger Lakes NY

Mariaangelav wrote:

Betts, I have tried a Texas jig with a plastic worm which was recommended to me by a salesman at Dicks. I lost two of them that got stuck in some muck. I’m going to try some minnows in a different spot. Wish me luck!

Good luck! And don’t forget to post pics 😁

hemihappy Loc: pawleys island s.c.

Mariaangelav wrote:

Thanks for the ideas! I have not used gulp. I do use Zman plastics. I use NED rigs with TRD TicklerZ, Finesse TRD, and TRD BugZ. I also have several smaller plastics. I have tried spinner baits and rooster tails. I have not tried using a fluro lead. How would I connect that to my line?

You can use an FG knot but it is a pain to tie. I use the Alberto knot and it is very reliable. Here our favorite bait is the Gulp 3" shrimp in New Penny color. That wouldn't work for you but Gulp has some great curly tails. Sometimes fish just want what is around so you need to match the hatch as they day. This time of year here the fish are feeding on glass minnows (salt water) and they are so small you can't match the hatch very well. Reaction tackle has some good fluorocarbon leader line that doesn't cost an arm and a leg on Amazon. It is what I use.

Big A Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Mariaangelav wrote:

Betts, I have tried a Texas jig with a plastic worm which was recommended to me by a salesman at Dicks. I lost two of them that got stuck in some muck. I’m going to try some minnows in a different spot. Wish me luck!

If Texas rigging isn't working, try
switching over to a Carolina rig - it's
a slightly less intrusive set-up; also,
if you're digging into too much
bottom muck, try using a slightly smaller weight ! I usually use cone-style slip sinkers (1/8th to 1/4 oz.)
as opposed to 'egg'-style sinkers unless I'm bucking a stiff wind or fighting a strong current, when you need more weight to get it 'out
there' and keep it down near the bottom !

One particular bait that has worked well for me in the past is a three-inch grub in that dark 'watermelon-green' with a chartreuse curly-tail; it's been one of my biggest/best producers !

Mariaangelav Loc: Northeast Ohio

Big A wrote:

If Texas rigging isn't working, try br switching ... (show quote)

Thanks! I’ll give the Carolina rig a try. I have been using the cone sinkers.