BananaBoat wrote: Kandrew wrote: . I fish 10 to 20 gram micros around whangaparoa in 20to 30 mtr off topic here would a lightweight softbait rod work a micro of that weight correctly or is it better to get a proper micro jig rod that's rated in that range of jig weight

100% fine, that's all I've ever used, plus you can fish microjigs with the same technique as cast-ahead-of-drift softbaiting. Limit yourself to fishing over sand/mud as microjgs are more likely to snag up than softbaits. Otherwise bloody lethal technique. You might be surprised at how much you catch!

MB wrote: Kandrew wrote: BananaBoat wrote: Kandrew wrote: . I fish 10 to 20 gram micros around whangaparoa in 20to 30 mtr off topic here would a lightweight softbait rod work a micro of that weight correctly or is it better to get a proper micro jig rod that's rated in that range of jig weight That’s all I use, 7.6foot 3 to 6kg. I fish micro jigs just like softbaits, mainly cast forward and pick up most of my fish when the line is straight up and down. Didn't see your post when I replied. Luckily we have come to the same conclusion, so that's reassuring. I catch most of my fish when microjigging after the first couple of twitches following the cast. Fishing is a funny game!

No problems I do love micro jigs and the other great thing is all you need to carry is a small tackle box with some shiny metal jigs, some clips and fluro and your sorted.

As I see it, there are two styles of microjigging. One style is fishing vertically with a light, soft tip rod and a small overhead reel, the other is a longer "softbait"-style rod for casting and retrieving in the same way as you would use a softbait. Obviously, you can use the latter for vertical fishing as well. 

Kaveman tungsten in red, orange and silver lumo strips. Red is my favourite colour for all jigs and if you can find ones that run red into orange with lumo strips, let me know and I’ll buy them all.

Kaveman Cj are very good as a slow retrieve - drop and drag lure.

Shimano wonderfull in same colours, great for deeper water, kaveman has a similar jig as well called a hornet.

Shimano soare are a very good jig, I would say the best I’ve used. The silver is great in smaller sizes 18gram.

Savage gear psycho sprat, 10gram change out the small tail hooks for small assists.

One of the biggest issues I’ve learned is to make sure your assist hooks aren’t too long for the lure. Lures normally get hit on the side where the gut cavity would be. Think about jigheads they are designed to come out of the softbait in the same place, the gut cavity. The BKK jig assists are really good and a good length.

When I first started micro jigs I fished 30 gram to get to the bottom, but now I fish 7 to 20 gram in 30 to 40 mtrs. Use a long softbait rod. Micros cast like bullets which is great then give them plenty of time to sink. I don’t twitch and jig mine much, I let it swim on through and out the back of the boat, then I let it sit on the bottom for a little while and then give it a little twitch up off the bottom.

I used to fish micros until the paint was all gone, but the catch rate drops off. So I find as soon as the colour and flash starts to fade it’s time for a new one.

Good luck

That’s my favourite lure as well
Orange and lumo kaveman Microjig

Kandrew wrote: MB wrote: Kandrew wrote: BananaBoat wrote: Kandrew wrote: . I fish 10 to 20 gram micros around whangaparoa in 20to 30 mtr off topic here would a lightweight softbait rod work a micro of that weight correctly or is it better to get a proper micro jig rod that's rated in that range of jig weight That’s all I use, 7.6foot 3 to 6kg. I fish micro jigs just like softbaits, mainly cast forward and pick up most of my fish when the line is straight up and down. Didn't see your post when I replied. Luckily we have come to the same conclusion, so that's reassuring. I catch most of my fish when microjigging after the first couple of twitches following the cast. Fishing is a funny game! No problems I do love micro jigs and the other great thing is all you need to carry is a small tackle box with some shiny metal jigs, some clips and fluro and your sorted.

sweet as, thanks for that
I use a 7.9ft 2-5kg softbait rod off my kayak, have used light weight jigs with the combo & a slider rod in the holder dragging a jig, both work well.... just thought a dedicated jig rod might be better...... saved me buying a new setup... cheers guys

“ which is heaps of fun for 7kg jigs I fish in 5 mtrs ”
Jigs could be a bit heavy Kandrew.

Very interesting thread.

Keith C wrote: “ which is heaps of fun for 7kg jigs I fish in 5 mtrs ” Jigs could be a bit heavy Kandrew. Very interesting thread.

yep I agree Keith just not easy to find anything smaller off the shelf in NZ sometimes . Interesting I have caught some good fish on larger jigs in 5mtrs same on softbaits. Sometimes I fish 5in Shad’s and will try 7in. If the fishing is slow and the fish are not feeding, they will take a small micro jig as it’s not too much effort. But when they are hungry they will sooner smash larger longer jigs over the smaller ones.

MB wrote: I didn't know Kaveman did a tungsten jig, he keeps that well hidden on his website   Orange Lumo 25g looks lethal.  This is my favourite jig. I don't mean brand (although it is Kaveman), I mean actual jig  It has taken over 100 snapper, possibly more!