Reddit mentions: The best fishing rigs & jigs

This is just general advice as I fish a farther South than you, but some versatile lures to consider are as follows:

Berkley Gulp/Gulp Alive!/Salt minnows and/or Zoom Fluke/Super Flukes, along with some jig heads to fish them with. Whatever size jig head you can throw comfortably, but some 1/4oz and 1/2oz are a good start, and then move to heavier if you need more weight to throw out farther for blues/stripes from the surf. For soft bait, I like to have some that look like natural baitfish colors, some white ones, and some brighter colored ones. For general use, 3-4" range, or for blues/stripers I would go bigger, 5-6" at least, and larger jigs that are salt safe. For jigs, either red, whatever matches the lure, or just unpainted.

Just for example, I wouldn't neccessarily order form Amazon unless I need something quick since the price is often higher, but something similar to the following for soft bait:

https://www.amazon.com/8-Pk-Berkley-Gulp-inch-Minnows/dp/B000GAWGPQ/ref=pd_sbs_200_2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=GTA2FQMWYSAQYEKSS0BV&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-Fluke-Bait-Pack-White-4-Inch/dp/B004IT0EYQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1486062545&sr=1-2&keywords=zoom%2Bfluke&th=1&psc=1

And something like these for jigs:

https://www.amazon.com/Berkley-Heads-Minnow-8-Ounce-0-Hook/dp/B00AU5PR7G/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1486062595&sr=1-2&keywords=gulp%2Bjig&th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Strike-King-Saltwater-Chartreuse-0-125-Ounce/dp/B000EYUFTI/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1486062617&sr=1-1&keywords=salt%2Bflats%2Bjig&th=1&psc=1


A couple of white bucktail jigs wouldn't hurt as well, they're pretty versatile.

For bass and toothy fish like gar/pike/snakehead I like Rapala Countdown Minnows, or Rapala Jerkbaits. I have had the best luck with size CD5 and CD7 in countdown minnows in silver.

For some sunfish and trout, I like a rooster tail spinner, 1/8 to 1/4 oz. I've had the best luck with yellow and chartreuse.

Finally I would grab some smaller bait hooks and weights for fresh water, and some heavier for salt. Crickets for smaller fish, minnows for larger in fresh water, or minnows or shrimp/squid in salt are usually a good way to increase your chances of catching something.

Texas or wacky rig, 5" or 6" watermelon black red flake or just black senko with 3/0 hooks is great for bass. Texas rig is great for weeds/reeds, wacky is great for if they are really biting well so you can hook them easy. Depending on what/where you're fishing size of senko or hook varies.

I fish for large/smallmouth bass mostly (I'm from MN) This setup is the go-to for all of my friends - largemouth, smallmouth, crappie, pike and even Muskie. Friend who throws for musky always uses these as his first bait; albeit larger senko and hook.

I use braided line 5-10 lb test usually green. Keep colors simple. Presentation is key. Time of day is HUGE fish dusk/dawn or night. For me colors like brown/green/black/grey have always worked best. Imo you don't need to overcomplicate it with fancy baits and colors - I've thrown almost everything.

Google wacky/Texas rig senko - should find videos on this setup. Really a simple and very effective way of slaying slobs.


Hooks

[Senko](Yamamoto Senko 5" , Watermelon Black w/ red / light watermelon w/ black & red https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z86HVI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ih-kybSVCE7D7)

When I fish ponds, lakes, or rivers for bass I always use senkos. They are a very easy bait to use and the bass love them. I usually use a dark green color at 5" for bass. I've even caught some walleye and pickerel with them. You should try tons of different bait and lures to find the ones that work best for you and what you're fishing.

Usually when I go to a new pond I will fish certain features, like maybe a tree that is sticking out of the water or I will cast to the edge of a group of lillypads and reel back. If you're fishing from the shore you're pretty limited. The most important thing is to just keep trying.

If you know people that are experienced fishermen (or women) then you should ask them if they will take you. I learn new things from people all the time. Don't be afraid to ask strangers too. Most of us are pretty nice.

lures- there's 3 common types of lures. small jigs usually made specifically for ice fishing, my favorite is the black ant. larger stuff like spoons and jigging raps, my favorite is the Swedish pimple. and then live bait rigs, I prefer a tiny treble hook and piece of split shot with a minnow hooked through the back or lips.

technique- for small jigs a real subtle presentation is usually best. barley getting the jig to move and giving it a fast twitching action then pause every couple of seconds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2uizxMKVmE. large lures use the same action plus an aggressive jig of 2-6 inches to attract fish from a distance. pounding the bottom, letting the lure hit the bottom of the lake a few times while jigging is common. for live bait you usually want the bait within a foot of the bottom of lake. usually using a bobber just let the minnow do it's thing, maybe lift it a foot and let it back down every 5 minutes to get the minnow moving again.

details- I would say 90 percent of the time I'm trying to keep the lure as close to the bottom (within 1 foot) as possible. very slowly raising the lure 1-2 inches while jigging and then pausing for a few seconds can get them to bite.

One of the go-to bass lures is the Senko worm. They come in almost every color combination you can think of. To this day it is my favorite. Grab a pack or two of of 5'' Baby Bass or 5'' Pumpkin/black flake. with some Offset hooks set them up Texas rigged. Toss them in the weeds, close to the bank, off the bottom of the deep. They are pretty versatile. Play with them in the shallows to see how the action works. Good luck!!

I love Northland. Their price is perfect and I think they perform just as well as "high end" brands. They're Whistler Jigs work great for Northern Pikeminnow(Squawfish) and Whitefish.

ponds with lots of vegetation cut down the options to topwater and weedless imo, unless you want to spend all day cleaning the hooks.


topwater = I usually target 1-8ft water depth when fishing theses with a rocky or sandy bottom if I can, works great over vegetation or along grass lines. Long rocky points also produce Small mouths on the reg.


My favorite top water lures =


heddon baby torpedo gold with black back


this is a very easy lure to use. Cast it out and wait for the ripples to disappear. You can either real it back as slow as you can so that you still hear or see the prop spinning, walk the dog or simply pop it and let it sit, pop and let sit. You need to try each out to see what the fish want that day.


Arbogast Jitterbug in black


this is another easy to use topwater lure. Cast it out and try out retrieving it at varying speeds until you dial in the speed that will trigger hits.


for fishing in the weeds I usually throw spinner baits

You've got too much hardware on there. You want to tie your line directly to the hook. You're using a swimbait there, and the only really effective way to fish a swimbait in grass and remain mostly weedless is with a weighted swimbait hook... like these...

https://www.amazon.com/Berkley-Fusion19-Weight-Swimbait-Hooks/dp/B012MCUI1Y/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=weighted+swimbait+hooks&qid=1566933103&s=gateway&sr=8-7

You screw the wire into the front of the head, then rig the hook like you have it in the picture. The weight on the hook helps the baits swim upright. The weighted swimbait hook is really versatile, allowing you to fish it slowly to keep it near the bottom or even jig it up and down. I've even put it on a Zoom Ultravibe Speed Craw and reeled it fast across the top of the water like a buzzbait.

I would also recommend using a jig head built for swimbaits, like these...

https://www.amazon.com/Reaction-Tackle-Swimbait-Swing-Heads/dp/B07L2G6SKF/ref=sxin_1_ac_d_rm?ac_md=4-4-YmFzcyBqaWcgaGVhZHM%3D-ac_d_rm&keywords=jig%2Bheads&pd_rd_i=B01MYGZR0P&pd_rd_r=2653de38-18e0-40df-a3b5-c3e6b3fc4335&pd_rd_w=gCoOq&pd_rd_wg=ElmVW&pf_rd_p=404c4843-2c96-4d0d-a5fe-2b0598693e61&pf_rd_r=6HEAEV4H8WXM3QB165KP&qid=1566933271&s=gateway&th=1

These are pretty weedless, too, but over time, the push of grass against the nose of the bait will pull the bait down the hook shank. Not a deal-breaker, just something to be aware of. You can use standard jig-heads, but as the hook is exposed at the top of the bait, you won't be even close to weedless.

This

It is this on this. You can also use a 3" on a 1/8 oz jig, but you won't get as many bites from the little ones like the rock bass. The big ones bite on both small and big.

You just cast it out there and draw it back. If you have a boat, you can troll it behind you. The bait really doesn't have to hit the bottom. The fish will gobble it up no matter what.

You will catch red-eye (rock bass) and smallmouth in the greenbrier river. Stop by Pence Springs tomorrow (Sunday) for some shopping as it's the weekly flea market. There is a gas station (exxon) called country roads store that sells top notch hotdogs.

edit: every store sells these jigs around there. Drive on in to Alderson and there's a nice little bait store, but the gas stations have stuff too around there.

edit2: if you insist on live bait, use hellgrammites. The fish go for deeper water during mid day, so find big deep holes. Boats are best to use, but you can't put anything big in. This is a nice hole.

edit3: if you have a canoe, you can set in at Alderson and float down as far as you want. The reason you need a canoe is because there are shallow parts you can't get a Jon boat through.

edit4: It's called fishing, not catching. We all have slumps. Hang in there, and start early. mid-day fishing is always bad.

Here are some links
They should give you some guide to what you are looking for. The fletching kit is rather nice and cheap. (i have one) it works great!

The arrows there are carbon and aluminium variants. I own the aluminium variant and they work fabulously.

The tab is another must have or get yourself a shooting glove


http://www.amazon.com/Bohning-Class-Fletching-Straight-Clamp/dp/B0000AVE3W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407609711&sr=8-2&keywords=fletch+jig


http://www.amazon.com/NuoYa001-Aluminum-feather-40-55lb-Compound/dp/B00K4MNMX6/ref=sr_1_68?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1407609797&sr=1-68

http://www.amazon.com/NuoYa001-Carbon-Streamlined-Feathers-Longbow/dp/B00H8KX32C/ref=sr_1_133?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1407609832&sr=1-133

http://www.amazon.com/Archery-Cowskin-Finger-Shooting-Protector/dp/B00LBU0YKE/ref=sr_1_30?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1407609886&sr=1-30&keywords=archery+tab

I have personally never had these before, but the fish think they are mighty tasty! 😂😂

Get some bottom rigs and some bloodworms. You can buy the bloodworms everywhere in NC. Any tackle shop or Amazon will have the bottom rigs.

Go to the pier and do what my family calls, "Sit, fish, chill." You'll pull up Virginia Spots, Croakers, Mullets, and Blow toads (puffer fish.)

The Spots are the most delicious. Croakers are OK. Keep the mullet for bait if you want to fish for larger fish. The Blow Toads just throw back. (NOTE: Unlike their Pacific counterparts, Atlantic Puffer fish aren't poisonous. Still not delicious though.)

Check out the fishing reports online before you pick a pier. And go early. Very early. Be on the pier at 6:00 AM.

Thanks...so this guy would be good? https://smile.amazon.com/Yamamoto-Senko-Watermelon-Black-watermelon/dp/B0007T0WMA/ref=sr_1_20?s=sports-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1518285279&sr=1-20&keywords=fishing%2Bbait&th=1&psc=1

and right on. appreciate it.

Dawia SP Minnow http://www.amazon.com/Daiwa-SP-Salt-Pro-Minnow/dp/B00AFEN0EE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414158961&sr=8-1&keywords=daiwa+sp+minnow

Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper 6" or 7"http://www.amazon.com/Cotton-Cordell-Pencil-Popper-Lures/dp/B007SR235I/ref=pd_sim_sg_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1D7SF1YYKR7MZ4N6GSPR


White Bucktails Tipped with Uncle Joshes Pork Rinds. http://www.amazon.com/Hurricane-Laughing-Bucktail-1-Ounce-White/dp/B003CTVJB0/ref=sr_1_7?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1414158995&sr=1-7&keywords=Bucktails


Color would be dependent on your location

I would highly reccomend tying a Teaser 12" up above whatever lure you are using. I make my own teasers but these are pretty much what you want: http://www.amazon.com/Fin-Strike-Bucktail-Teaser-Closed/dp/B00CKCXSBY/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1414159179&sr=8-12&keywords=bucktail+teaser

Croch Vertical Jigs Metal Spoon... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HCBK411?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

And also these are in my bag too

Dr.Fish Metal Jigs Casting Jigs... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QHVKP4H?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

The hooks on both of these products are very strong!

Start by buying shafts. This is s great and affordable fletching jig: Bohning Pro Class Fletching Tool Right Clamp 1349 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AVE3Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LOV1Bb6NVT9NM

Epoxy jigs! Give them a shot, I’ve found pretty much anything swimming around out there will hit it, Striper, Blues, Spanish, Bonito, etc.

I'm in the same boat. Looking to get a scale. I'm trying to stay away from the hooks as I catch and release and don't want to damage the fish.

I'm thinking something like this which has decent reviews - MadBite Professional Fish Holder Lip Gripper with Scale Ruler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010VOSSB2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_DRGZxbTEPWY70

> Luck E strike scrounger

Yup

http://www.amazon.com/Luck-Strike-Scrounger-4-Ounce-3-Pack/dp/B00927OT5O/