Creature Man
New member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2013
- Messages
- 27
Looks like jigerjohn has introduced me about creature fishing, and asked that I write a small article on that subject...SO;
Creature fishing became popular back in the mid 70's when fishing facts out of Wisconsin used to carry different kinds of plastic dressings. The art of fishing creatures seems to have gone by the wayside for the larger bulldawg style baits. Creatures can get down to the fish, vs a magdawg or pounder. Try letting a pounder get down in thick cover then rip...Ouch! :dodgy: Creatures are very effective for all game fish, including Pike, Musky , Bass, and walleye. I am sure salt water fish would love some of these dressings also, like stripers, and tarpin. Creatures are more or less, just a larger form of plastic dressings attached to a jig head.
Rods, reels and line. Any type of reel is good, as long as it has a higher gear ratio. Many guys use spinning gear for this type of fishing. I prefer a high speed baitcaster, as I like the positive hooksets you get from a baitcasting reel, just better leverage. Rods that I like for creature fishing are flippin sticks in a 7 1/2 ft - 8 1/2 ft Length's. Normally a rod that has lure weights of 3/4-2 oz. Line weights, I like a 17-20 lb XL, because I like to jig most in cool water temps. This line stays limp, and very viewable when Mr Musky gives that hop in the line. Also super braids in that 24- 40 lb test will work. When getting a pickup, count 1001 before setting the hook.
Rigging....I like to prepare my jigs before I go out. I use a wire leader in a lb test of 25-40, 7strand, and now there are 19, 21, and 49 strand, to give more flex in your leaders. I won many bass tourneys using wire leaders. Wire allows you to rip weeds easily vs a floro type leader. Old bucket mouth does'nt care, especially good in a somewhat murky water. I slide the plastic over the jig, then smear some super glue on the collar of jig, then push plastic up on collar to solidify the bonding. I have a good idea, what presentation is going to work and I rig 3 or 4 baits for the outing...and yes, I take extra plastics and superglue with me if the fish are on!!!
My presentations are pretty much 3 methods...constant ripping, drag/shake and rip, and just turning of the reel handle. The ripping is done in and around weeds. Deep pockets, or deeper weeds is preferred. What it does is trigger strikes, AND allows you to go back the several acres you just ripped through and View the weeds you ripped out. Many times you can learn the weed growth in different sections of the lake. Normally two or 3 types of weeds are the more productive areas, like milfoil,coontail,cabbage.
The drag,shake ,rip is exactly how it sounds. I drag the jig till it gets hung up in the weeds. Shake the jig, then do a rip. Fish near will see the bait quivering and struggling to break free...when you rip...Yes, it just did break free, and that's what triggers the vicious strike
The weed edges, sand bars, and rock bars are done with the reel handle. I cast jig out, allow it to hit bottom, then turn the reel handle as fast as you can. In depths of less than 12 ft, I turn reel handle 2 or 3 times fast, then let jig settle to bottom again. Hits come on the drop, and that is where you want them to occur. If I am out in 15-20 ft. I try and give reel handle 4- 5 turns quickly, Covering more of the water column. This method works for suspended fish as well as bottom fish. Most times my fish are produced near bottom or cover.
By the way,When ripping, I rarely use a skirt. I do not want any more drag on my jig, to hang up while blasting jig from cover, advantage streamline. My favorite baits to rip are the thicker stemmed paddletails and Fandango's. If I do use a skirt, it's because I want a larger profile, or a slower drop speed.
For weed edges and sand and rock bars, I like a thinnerstemmed paddle tail for more thumping action. Also, I like to fish bladed creature spins for edges and areas that lack cover.
I pour most of the jigs I use. Includes swimmerheads, power heads, and Pyramid heads and all must have collars. when supergluing your plastic to a collar, really helps in your fishing time and productivity. You don't want to get caught with your pants down, sort of speak
.
All of my plastic dressings are custom and hand poured. All have a purpose. I have about 40 different patterns, But use about 10-15 most of the time.
I will post some pics!
Creature fishing seems to be a lost art....BUT when I am struggling to catch fish, especially in cold water, this technique is sure to please. Bass, Pike and Musky, all like creatures. This is a multispecie presentation. If you like to just have action from a variety of fish, creature fishing is the way to go...:bigfish: All 3 fish, this 40" musky, 6 lb largemout and 28 inch walleye, all came within 1 1/2 hours of fishing this past May on Creatures.
Here are some of my plastic dressings and jigs. The Fandangos with the holes in tail is what I use for a slower presentation. Water sifts through the holes and allow a slow drop. The 2 Fandango's that are Black on left side of pick, last creature photo are dressings I like to rip weeds with. All these patterns have a purpose. The paddle tails have cork poured inside the tails, so dead sticking is an option when jig sits on bottom, the tail rises to the occasion.
There are pics of all jig heads I use, power heads in 1/2 and 3/4 oz. , 1/2 oz. pryamid and 3/4 oz swimmer head...Enjoy!!!
Thanks, and tight lines.
Oh; By the way. I do pour these morsels, jigs and plastic dressing during the winter months till about April if your interested in picking some up. Colors I like are Black, Black and Black, other colors I like are Black grape, Yellows and Pearls.
PM if interested, or email me at; [email protected]
Creature Man
Creature fishing became popular back in the mid 70's when fishing facts out of Wisconsin used to carry different kinds of plastic dressings. The art of fishing creatures seems to have gone by the wayside for the larger bulldawg style baits. Creatures can get down to the fish, vs a magdawg or pounder. Try letting a pounder get down in thick cover then rip...Ouch! :dodgy: Creatures are very effective for all game fish, including Pike, Musky , Bass, and walleye. I am sure salt water fish would love some of these dressings also, like stripers, and tarpin. Creatures are more or less, just a larger form of plastic dressings attached to a jig head.
Rods, reels and line. Any type of reel is good, as long as it has a higher gear ratio. Many guys use spinning gear for this type of fishing. I prefer a high speed baitcaster, as I like the positive hooksets you get from a baitcasting reel, just better leverage. Rods that I like for creature fishing are flippin sticks in a 7 1/2 ft - 8 1/2 ft Length's. Normally a rod that has lure weights of 3/4-2 oz. Line weights, I like a 17-20 lb XL, because I like to jig most in cool water temps. This line stays limp, and very viewable when Mr Musky gives that hop in the line. Also super braids in that 24- 40 lb test will work. When getting a pickup, count 1001 before setting the hook.
Rigging....I like to prepare my jigs before I go out. I use a wire leader in a lb test of 25-40, 7strand, and now there are 19, 21, and 49 strand, to give more flex in your leaders. I won many bass tourneys using wire leaders. Wire allows you to rip weeds easily vs a floro type leader. Old bucket mouth does'nt care, especially good in a somewhat murky water. I slide the plastic over the jig, then smear some super glue on the collar of jig, then push plastic up on collar to solidify the bonding. I have a good idea, what presentation is going to work and I rig 3 or 4 baits for the outing...and yes, I take extra plastics and superglue with me if the fish are on!!!
My presentations are pretty much 3 methods...constant ripping, drag/shake and rip, and just turning of the reel handle. The ripping is done in and around weeds. Deep pockets, or deeper weeds is preferred. What it does is trigger strikes, AND allows you to go back the several acres you just ripped through and View the weeds you ripped out. Many times you can learn the weed growth in different sections of the lake. Normally two or 3 types of weeds are the more productive areas, like milfoil,coontail,cabbage.
The drag,shake ,rip is exactly how it sounds. I drag the jig till it gets hung up in the weeds. Shake the jig, then do a rip. Fish near will see the bait quivering and struggling to break free...when you rip...Yes, it just did break free, and that's what triggers the vicious strike
The weed edges, sand bars, and rock bars are done with the reel handle. I cast jig out, allow it to hit bottom, then turn the reel handle as fast as you can. In depths of less than 12 ft, I turn reel handle 2 or 3 times fast, then let jig settle to bottom again. Hits come on the drop, and that is where you want them to occur. If I am out in 15-20 ft. I try and give reel handle 4- 5 turns quickly, Covering more of the water column. This method works for suspended fish as well as bottom fish. Most times my fish are produced near bottom or cover.
By the way,When ripping, I rarely use a skirt. I do not want any more drag on my jig, to hang up while blasting jig from cover, advantage streamline. My favorite baits to rip are the thicker stemmed paddletails and Fandango's. If I do use a skirt, it's because I want a larger profile, or a slower drop speed.
For weed edges and sand and rock bars, I like a thinnerstemmed paddle tail for more thumping action. Also, I like to fish bladed creature spins for edges and areas that lack cover.
I pour most of the jigs I use. Includes swimmerheads, power heads, and Pyramid heads and all must have collars. when supergluing your plastic to a collar, really helps in your fishing time and productivity. You don't want to get caught with your pants down, sort of speak
. All of my plastic dressings are custom and hand poured. All have a purpose. I have about 40 different patterns, But use about 10-15 most of the time.
I will post some pics!
Creature fishing seems to be a lost art....BUT when I am struggling to catch fish, especially in cold water, this technique is sure to please. Bass, Pike and Musky, all like creatures. This is a multispecie presentation. If you like to just have action from a variety of fish, creature fishing is the way to go...:bigfish: All 3 fish, this 40" musky, 6 lb largemout and 28 inch walleye, all came within 1 1/2 hours of fishing this past May on Creatures.
Here are some of my plastic dressings and jigs. The Fandangos with the holes in tail is what I use for a slower presentation. Water sifts through the holes and allow a slow drop. The 2 Fandango's that are Black on left side of pick, last creature photo are dressings I like to rip weeds with. All these patterns have a purpose. The paddle tails have cork poured inside the tails, so dead sticking is an option when jig sits on bottom, the tail rises to the occasion.
There are pics of all jig heads I use, power heads in 1/2 and 3/4 oz. , 1/2 oz. pryamid and 3/4 oz swimmer head...Enjoy!!!Thanks, and tight lines.
Oh; By the way. I do pour these morsels, jigs and plastic dressing during the winter months till about April if your interested in picking some up. Colors I like are Black, Black and Black, other colors I like are Black grape, Yellows and Pearls.
PM if interested, or email me at; [email protected]Creature Man
