For those of you who have never tried a micro jig on a pole, give it a try! You'll be surprised just how effective this lure can be! Micro jig fishing is a technique as subtle as it is formidable on perch. On many occasions, it has enabled us to get out of the trickiest situations, especially in winter when the perch are not biting much. We're going to reveal our secrets for fishing perch with the micro jig. In this article, you'll discover our tips and the ideal equipment to make you a real micro jig expert.
A summary of our article
Micro jig fishing is a formidable technique for targeting perch and other predators.
- A versatile lure The micro jig imitates a variety of prey (crayfish, fry, aquatic insects) and is effective on all predators.
- Crucial animation : mastery of scraping and free swimming
- The right equipment UL to L rod from 2m to 2m20 with extra fast action, reel 1500 to 2500 fitted with fine braid (6/100 to 10/100) with fluorocarbon leaders from 16/100 to 25/100.
- Our professional tips choice of colours, use of a trailercustomising the skirt
- Refined technique tungsten micro jigs, predator management, responsible fishing
The micro jig: a versatile lure for perch
The micro jig is a little jewel of modern fishing. This lure is actually a micro rubber jib weighing between 1 and 5 grams. It consists of a lead head topped by a silicone skirt and is sometimes fitted with a weed brush for use on clogged bottoms. The micro jig is a very versatile lure suitable for all types of predator such as the pike perch, the trout or the chub. However, the latter excels particularly in perch fishing.
The micro jig imitates a wide variety of prey appreciated by perch, including :
- A crayfish
- A fry
- An aquatic insect
Sa a slow, gliding swim makes it particularly effective in cold water or when fish are not very active.
We have found the micro jig to be particularly effective on marked spots, submerged structures and in areas with currents. Its discretion and natural presentation make it a lure of choice for even the most wary of perch.
Animation and choice of equipment
The animation of your migro jig to target the perch is a crucial point if you want to get the most out of this lure. There are two main techniques:
- Background scraping : This animation imitates a crayfish or prey digging into the substrate. This very often triggers an attack from opportunistic perch, which are used to picking up their prey from the bottom.
- Swimming This animation allows you to explore the upper layer of water and target fish on the hunt. This technique is very effective for very discreet sight fishing or power fishing.
To get the most out of these animations, the choice of equipment is crucial. Here's our favourite configuration:
| Equipment | Features |
|---|---|
| Cane | Lightweight (UL to L) with extra fast action, 2m to 2m20. Preferably spining |
| Reel | Size 1500 to 2500 with a ratio of 80. |
| Line | Fine braid (6/100 to 10/100) with fluorocarbon leader from 16/100 to 25/100 |
This rod / reel / braid / fluoro combo will give you all the sensitivity required to detect the most subtle bites while remaining discreet. If you're sight fishing, don't forget your polarised glasses ! This will make it easier to spot poles and obstacles underwater.
Our tips for fishing for perch with a micro jig
In the course of our years of experience, we have developed a few tricks that often make all the difference:
The choice of colours Choose natural colours such as brown, sand, red (craw) or green. Dark colours like black are also very effective. Tailor your choice to the clarity of the water and the light conditions.
Using a trailer : Don't hesitate to add a mini trailer to your pole jig. This will give you a more gliding action and allow you to offer your lure vertically when it lands on the bottom. It's usually during the descent phase that the perch takes advantage to suck in the lure. Vary the combinations of trailers and colours to find the one that triggers the most strikes. Worm or grub imitations are perfect for scratching, while a micro shad or grub is ideal for line fishing.
Customising the skirt Don't hesitate to modify the skirt of the micro jig to obtain a unique swimming action. A simple stroke of the scissors can completely transform the action of the lure.
Refining your technique for exceptional results
Micro jig fishing is an art that improves with practice. Here are a few advanced tips to help you refine your technique.
Opt for tungsten
Tungsten is a denser and more sensitive material than lead. As a result, you'll get a better feel for your micro jig when fishing for scratch perch.
Managing pike cuts
Micro jigs are often picked up off the bottom and sucked in, so there's no need to strike hard. Simply lead your line high against your lure and your fish will generally strike easily. If it's a pike, your leader will normally slide over its teeth and plant itself on the edge of its mouth. This will allow you to avoid a minimum of cuts.
Crush your barb
By crushing your barbs you will make it easier to unhook your fish and avoid any injury. This practice is part of a responsible approach to fishing, limiting the injuries inflicted on fish. What's more, you'll be able to unhook easily from obstacles.
Our 3 best micro-perch jigs
Keitech Guard Jig
This micro jig is ultra compact and will allow you to take care of and refine your presentation as much as possible on fish with few bites or that are very busy. The Guard Jig The lure is made from tungsten, which reduces its volume by 30%, thus limiting vibrations which can make bass wary. It has a very fine silicone skirt and an anti-weed system consisting of 5 fibres delicately glued together by hand. This micro jig is a jewel in the perch fishing finesse.
Micro Jig Evergreen Cover Creeper
TheEvergreen Cover Creeper is another micro jig we like for perch fishing. It imitates perfectly a crayfish or a static larva at the bottom of the water. Its anti-weed bristle means you can fish in areas with dense vegetation without worrying about snags, while its anti-slip system ensures optimum attachment of a soft lure in a trailer. Even when not in motion, the silicon fibres of the Cover Creeper are still in action, continuing to attract any perch that has targeted this micro jig from a distance.
Savage Gear Skirt Flirt
We also particularly like the Flirt skirt by Savage Gear for its value for money (around €5). The Skirt Flirt works in the same way as its companions described above. We use it a lot for perch fishing in structures. Thanks to its anti-weed brush, you can use it in structures without the risk of getting snagged.
