Techniques for using the Gibbs Minnow

By Capt'n Dan of Affordable Charters

The Gibbs Minnow is a very versatile lure. It can be jigged, trolled or used as a casting lure. This lure offers maximum strength to land even the largest gamefish.

The Gibbs Minnow is equipped with an extra strong, rust resistant hook & extra heavy stainless split ring.

Match your rod, reel and line to the weight of the Minnow you plan to use. A 20 to 30 pound test line will not work too well with the 1/4 to 1 ounce weights, or conversely a 7 ounce Minnow with spinning gear. It's amazing how many people try to use unrealistic combinations, and wonder why the big ones get away!

Jigging Techniques

Choose one or more of the 10 weights and 32 finishes from the Gibbs Minnow lineup. Try to match the size and finish to the food that your target species are feeding on (i.e. if they are feeding on shrimp, use a Minnow in the pink colours.)

Locate your target species using your depth sounder and lower the Gibbs Minnow to the desired depth, Count the pulls or turns of your reel to ensure you are at the correct depth. If you don't have a depth sounder, work your lure down in 10 foot increments until you get a strike, then get back to that depth.

Drop the Minnow to the desired depth, counting the pulls or turns of your reel (this is not required if you are bottom fishing.)

Lower your rod tip to six to twelve inches from the water. Pull the rod upward one to six feet with a steady upward motion, not a large jerk. A fish may be interested in your presentation, thus a quick upward jerk may make the Minnow disappear from the fish's field of vision. By using a steady upward pull your fish may follow your lure up and strike just as you pause.

Drop your rod quickly back to the start position and allow your Minnow to drop on a slack line. This allows the Minnow to dart erratically downward and will usually entice a strike. Pause one or two seconds before repeating the sequence, as your trophy may take a second or two to decide (fish are not quick thinkers, kind of like Old Guides!).

Vary the length of your jigging motion constantly to entice a strike. If fishing near the bottom, try to keep your line as vertical as possible to avoid hang-ups.. Once your line gets to more than 15 to 20 degrees from the vertical, wind up and reset.

If you feel a tap, tug or your lure stops dropping, hit hard to set the hooks. On occasion, on the upward motion your lure may get heavy, "Set the Hook". A fish has grabbed it and is holding on. You only have a second or two before your fish will notice it's meal is very hard and will spit it out if you delay.