ANGLING TIPS Jack Wollitz

Jigs and minnows fit together like peanut butter and jelly when it comes to satisfying the appetites of hungry fall fish.
But just like a great sandwich is more than swabbing bread with tasty spreads, a jig-and-minnow combination can be made more tantalizing with a few attentions to detail.
Anglers must match all the components so they are appealing to the walleyes and crappies cruising points and structure on area lakes. Line size, jig weights and live bait all must work together.
Start by selecting a jig that will get down to the fish, considering the depth, current and wind. The perfect size is one that will just tick the bottom during a slow retrieve.
Match the jig to line size. Line that is too heavy will impede the delicate flutter that makes jigs so effective. Generally, lines between 6- and 10-pound test are best for open water jig fishing.
To bait the offering, gently hook a minnow through the lips. This will make the combo as lifelike as possible and keep the minnow fresh and lively. You'll eventually lose the bait once the hook wears a hole in its mouth, but that's why you buy several dozen.
Match up all the variables correctly and you should come up with a delicious treat for the fish you want to catch.
jwwollitz@aol.com