Ringworms

I’ve been hearing about Ringworm jigs down here in Illinois for a while, and fished with John Mannerino a couple weeks ago. He swears they are GREAT, but I did not have a chance to see what colors he has had good luck with. They are not available in my area, but John informed me I could order them from Hutch…which leads to my question. Could anyone recommend a few of their favorite colors or combinations? I have been in a little of a rut with 4 or 5 colors or combinations on my jigs, need to try something new. Don’t have the funds or the room to order 10 of everything or I think I would!

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

John (Rooster)

If you can`t buy them all, I give you my suggestion for 4 sure things. Purple or purple laminate- good in all conditions.

Smoke, with or without colored tail, with some sparkle. Good for clearer water.

Chartreuse pepper- just because it seems to catch fish when other colors struggle.

And one two-tone—-light bottom,dark top. Many of these options available.

Start with some of these and pretty soon you`ll be buying them by the hundreds and fill up a 10 gallon Rubbermaid container with them just like me. And guess what, they all catch fish at one time or another.

Buy anything that catches your eye or that you think has potential…you can`t go wrong as long as it goes with the flow. Beav

Beaver,

Ten Gallon Tote! Wow, I guess they must be good baits. I misread the price’s on Hutch’s page, I think I will buy a bunch. Thanks for the recommendations. I have not used purple much except Cranking for northerns, but I gotta give it a try now. I have used purple hair jigs last fall with some pretty good success. I give them a try, probably all you listed and quite a few more as well. Got my bonus check from the IRS last week, that will be a great place to invest some of it! Thanks again, good fishing!

One more question, do you ever tip them with live bait, or use them alone? I generally have more confidence with other jigs when tipped with live bait, but I know it is not necessary always. just wondering.

No, don’t tip them with livebait. Like NEVER. They are little fish catchin’ machines all by themselves.

Cast, slow sink, drift, set-the-hook, repeat!

James Holst

Moving Waters Guide Service

http://www.movingwaters.net

Rooster, I hate to blow my own horn, but go to the articles section and read the one about ring-wormin’. This bait and technique puts fish in the boat for me year round. No need to tip it ever. As a matter of fact, the less you do with it , the more natual it appears. Now go spend that refund check.

Beav

Rooster,

Beaver and James are right on. Those things put fish in the boat. I’ve been tossing them on just about every trip since January.

One tip. Don’t overlook the importance of using the right jig. They are hard to fine sometimes, so when you come across a good deal on them, stock up. And remember, always go as light as possible, then go lighter!!

J.

Thanks for all the help guys! I’m going to Hutch’s page now to order a bucket of ’em. Beaver, your article is great!

Beaver, reviewed your article on ringworms. Terriific!!!! Thank you! Probably a stupid question but can you rig the worm Texas style when fishing in heavier cover, such as wood and weeds, for walleyes? Maybe peg the sinkers? Is the worm hook style a problem when it comes to hooking a fish? Those jig heads catch the first bit of wood that comes along. Not a problem on wing dams.

YES you can and yes I do. During high water when fish get up in brush or willows and such, the only way to fish `em is Texas rigged. I use a size 1 hook usually, sometimes 1/0 and I also like to peg the sinker or use the screw in weights. I`ve caught some nice walleyes on 14# line using a 7 1/2 foot flippin’ stick. Like I said in the article, I`ll have guys trolling for eyes ask me how the bass are biting just because I`m targeting shallow cover. Remember to keep it light. Beav

Light it shall be! Thanks for the info. By the way, where can I order some of these ringworms?

You can get them from Hutch when he gets back from Lake Erie.