Kyle Meyer On Shallow Fall Jig Fishing

Below is an article on shallow jig fishing in the fall written by Kyle Meyer. He explains how he imitates snack-size bream by using jigs with a swimbait trailer. Check out the baits Kyle pours and talks about in this article: Big Boy Baits

 Jig fishing in the Fall is one of those overlooked techniques that can really produce some big fish. Most anglers are focusing on the schooling bait and likewise throwing flukes, swimbaits, and the ever popular walking bait. Now schooling fish are great, they are readily available, and super aggressive fish. However, in my experiences, they are not consistently big. Jig fish on the other hand, are often those bigger fish that are not in the mood to chase bait around. Jig fish stay holed up in cover, waiting for a craw or bluegill to wander by, then they crush it. When I am jig fishing, I am mostly looking for wood. Yes, other cover will hold fish, but in the places I mainly fish wood is easy to find and holds more fish during this time of year. I really like to use 1/4,3/8 and maybe even 1/2 oz jigs all depending on conditions. Fall is that one time of year where fish are not cold or hot, they are just perfect, so a medium fall rate is spot-on for this technique. For the equipment, I am usually fishing a 7:1, 7'6" Heavy rod, and 30 or 40lb Gamma Torque braid with a 2 foot 17lb Gamma flouro leader. This setup can easily handle the fish that you can catch while fishing this way, but it also navigates wood very well, while maintaining the near-invisibility of fluorocarbon. My favorite color is PB&J, but a green pumpkin is also a great choice. Because this method is meant to imitate a bluegill, I really like a swimtail, such as the Big Boy Baits Rad Shad as a trailer. This trailer has great action in the fall, as well as the shake. Mix and match colors for your own bluegill imitation, an find out what the fish want. This is a far overlooked technique, so use it towards your advantage next time you hit the water.