window of opportunity

[moswampy]

wanted to come up with a trolling jig to put behind a crank for those non-aggressive fish that follow. I have caught some on a bou jig thought a little more flash might do the trick.

1/32 oz head, long shanked size 6 hook, soldered blade, clear/sparkle powder and colored PP on the heads. May try some with a little feather or flashabou on them in the future.

 

[AtticaFish]

Excellent concept and they look really good. I wonder if the blade would add any action to the jig just falling by itself? Be sure and post how they work, love the idea...

 

[JUNGLEJIM1]

I think a little marabou or rabbit for the tail would do a number on the crappie and gills. The blades should flash on the drop,looks killer.

 

[Hawnjigs]

Good idea! I too think a pinch of fluff and/or flash tail would make it fishy. Looks like the ball head adds enuf weight to the blade for a cast & twitch presentation. A spoonier blade could enhance drop flutter & wobble.

 

[moswampy]

two trips out with them trolling and they have been producing. In fact I have not caught a fish on the crankbaits only the small spoon jig. No keeper sized crappie though all of them have been 7" size. I did catch a keeper sized white bass on one tonight. Might need to find some larger blades.

 

[ScottV]

Looks like they want them more than the crankbaits. That's a great idea and they really look good.

 

[StumpHunter]

That should work good for you. Nice job on em.

 

[moswampy]

and the other trolling jig/spoon was a small fish killer. They loved it, lots of 5-7" crappie!!!!!! Does me no good though...lol Need bigger fish will use the other spoons with some fake spikes and try for some big bulls when they are deep.

here is a newer and lager size trolling spoon. I'm hoping the tail may give it a little larger look but keep it subtle to entice those fish who don't want the crank.

 

[moswampy]

getting a little bigger

 

[StumpHunter]

Have you ever tried one of those spoons tied behind a crankbait.

 

[moswampy]

I am pulling all of them behind a crank that is what I made them for.

 

[ScottV]

That's why I like to go first when walking through the woods. The first guy just wakes the snake up! LOL Great job moswampy, I'll have to give the spoons a try.

 

[moswampy]

still upgrading sizes and colors. Making these is as fun as tying jigs. Have them behind cranks right now and will be pulling them around 0530 in the am.

 

[Squall Line]

QUESTION: How do get the hook to stay in position on the spoon when you solder?
I've been trying, but I haven't mastered it

 

[ScottV]

I just started pulling crankbaits and I have a couple of different things that I think would work good behind one. Do you just tie a line on the rear hook of the crankbait or what? How far behind the crankbait would you want your trailer?

 

[Squall Line]

For stripers I remove the back treble hook on the plug and tie a leader 18-24 inches long to the trailing "ice fly" . Mind you that is for stripers.

 

[moswampy]

QUESTION: How do get the hook to stay in position on the spoon when you solder?
I've been trying, but I haven't mastered it

working in an Emergency room I have access to a lot of free hemos that I use to hold the hook in position, sometimes on both ends. Flux helps to keep the solder even and off of the iron bad thing is you have to really clean that crap off or it will give your PP a rusty color. I used the solder from Janns but I did not like the small size and how quick it would melt. I bought some electrical/hobby solder it is larger and easier to work with.

Here are some minis that I did tonight and needed two hemos with the two piece jigs. Did the circle first and then the blade over that.

 

[moswampy]

Scott no more than 18" and no less than 12" and you will be fine. a 1/32 maribou will work also. The larger spoons seem to be lifting my cranks as they rotate through the water I am going to work with some weight above my inline swivel to keep it down in the 10' zone.

 

[moswampy]

pulled them behind cranks all night with and without weights above the inline swivel. Still caused some rise of the bait due to rotation and that causes issues tangling in the crank. Next outing I am going to try a weight behind the crankbait ahead of a swivel that the spoon is tied to. Did have success with a 3oz sinker ahead of a swivel pulling a spoon. I'll get it figured out about the time they get off of this pattern in September

 

[ScottV]

I was wondering if I could have a 3-way swivel 6 inches or so ahead of the crankbait with my trailer leader attached to it. I'm afraid that a leader tied to the crank would effect the action of it and even prevent it from sinking like you said moswampy. I might be asking for line tangles if I do that.