Thread: Bream jigs less than 1/32

My "normal" bream jig is 1/64 oz (usually a trout magnet or marabou.) I cast them with 2-4# line and have no problems throwing them 30-40'.

I almost never use them with a float. I prefer to cast and swim them back slowly.

Of our regular posters, Alphahawk, LedHed, slabsrus, and illinoisgiller all use similar methods. I'm sure they will chime in.

I have caught thousands on 1/32 oz with Black/Chart slider grub and Texas Avocado Bass Assassin on 4lb test.After reading Alphahawk reports I started using a Bison magnet on 1/64 on 2lb test.I am amazed how many more hits I get.The one thing I have changed is holding rod 90 degrees to bait almost 100% hook up.Could not hook 50% holding rod at 10 o'clock.

the 1/32 roadrunner with a 1 inch black slider grub fished on 4-6 lb. stren has been used for over 40 yrs in my family . It's the 1/64 and 1/80 that I am looking for techniques to use .

My preferred way to catch bream, all kinds is to use a 1/64 jig with a nibble. I do it 2 ways, cast and retrieve and/or use a cork. slow retrieve with either will bring you a quick bite. The nibble adds the punch you need when they are slow to bite. Red ears love the nibbles. A 1/32 works also. Most any black color will work. You want to keep the jig as close to bottom as possible.

Originally Posted by eagle 1

It's the 1/64 and 1/80 that I am looking for techniques to use .

I have some 1/80 oz jigs and use them occasionally. I use the 1/64 oz a lot more.

I use a 1/64 oz. black beetle (and sometimes other colors) often and particularly from a boat. I buy bulk bodies and bulk unpainted 1/64 oz. jig heads. Although the beetle is usually most productive, I also have 1" curly tails and tubes that I'll fish as well. Tackle is a light action 6 ft. rod with 2 lb. Trilene XL. 2 lb. Stren is fine (it's what I grew up fishing with), but isn't readily available in the stores around here. Can cast about 25 - 30 feet with this rig. I also like to turn my anti-reverse off when fishing 2 lb. test as I prefer to back reel in order to give line rather than rely on the drag with that fine line, although if you use higher quality reels than I do that may not be preferable. Catch a lot of 8 - 16 inch bass on them as well. Like others said, I reel slow and keep close to the bottom.

Edited to add, if you're going to use a float, no need to change from 4 lb. Stren. My dad and I caught thousands of bream using 1/64th oz. beetles 3 ft. under a float on 4 lb. Stren when I was a boy. We fished a flat on a lake in west TN where the water was 4 - 6 feet deep and would fan cast until we found fish and then drop anchor. His favorite color beetle was white with a red spot on top. We'd reel them extremely, imperceptibly slow and catch bunches of them. Didn't catch many shellcrackers this way though, almost always bluegill and redbreast.

I need to add that you can use a light weight above your jig for distance. I try to match the jig weight with a lead shot, about a foot or more above.

I am now using a 1/64oz unpainted jig on 2# test and a bison trout magnet. In addition, I am using a 1/64 oz roadrunner and any dark 1" grub. Both baits are doing fine on the gills. Recently I have added a pink berkley power wiggler to the back and this has worked exceptionally well too. I can thank Alphahawk for converting me from crickets and red wigglers to plastics.