Milligan’s Custom Lures

I purchased some custom made jigs from Milligan’s and wanted to let everyone know how great they are. After placing my order I had pics of the finished product that evening.

I wanted to write something up to share and this is what Milligan’s told me. We are just a small family ran business. Just me and my dad. He taught me to fish. That passion turned to an obsession! I was probably 15 when we bought a shaky head mold. It's be crazy ever since. I have the majority of the baits we make on the page, but we are constantly getting new molds and new skirting materials to give us an edge, just to be a little different. 100% of our profit goes into new molds and new colors. That way we can continue to get customers the custom lures they are looking for!!! I love it when we can make someone something that they can't buy in stores. Something that they truly believe will catch fish and could be a difference maker!!

So with that being said, head on over to Milligan’s Custom Lures and #gethooked with some custom jigs

A new season, means some new lures…

Like all bass lure anglers, the winter and the early spring is when I turn my attention to the coming season with a view to replacing split rings, hooks and purchasing some new shiny lures and odd smelling pieces of soft plastic! And alongside replenishing, and in some cases replacing my personal armoury. A lure I always have tied on is a jig so I’ll be at my local tackle shop and see a jig a get it. Another is the Heddon Super Spook JR they aren’t going to set any casting records, but what I really like is their subtle, waking action across the surface calm conditions are probably best and that very noticeable and noisy ‘knocking’ it emits – one that I imagine bass will find hard to ignore.

#gethooked #louslures

Spring Bass Spawn and "Custom" Approach

Each year after ice out in the North, we start to see largemouth and smallmouth bass show up in the shallows in pre-spawn mode. There have been many traditional ways to catch these fish and also some unconventional ones that on certain days can outproduce what is generally thought to be the standard.

Traditional methods have always involved plastics, such as worms, wacky rigs, tubes, and now ned rigs. These often are used to sight fish and also to just cover areas that are known spring staging areas. The issue with these methods is that they are all fairly slow presentations. If the fish are where you start and your method is working then you are good to go, but if you do not find fish right away, it can be an enduring process to locate fish under these methods.

An unconditional method which has become more popular is the use of the jerkbait. A jerkbait allows you to cover the top portion of the water column over areas that should produce. It also provokes strikes from bass that may be lethargic due to cold water temps rather than letting a bait sit in front of their face. Span casting as you either cross an area with your electric motor or quietly drift through seems to be the best way to cover the water until you find a concentration of fish.

The jerkbait also allows for a lot of color options to help provoke fish. The most popular are either natural or very bright. I have found that a combination of the two works best on most days for me. I use custom painted baits that are natural in color on the back and belly but have a very bright lateral line. This lateral line may be bright yellow, pink, purple, chartreuse, etc. The horizontal profile just gives better results than a vertical pattern like a perch pattern or others. It also gives the appearance of a fast moving bait that is getting away when it is really moving erratically at the same speed of the others.

As you work through this spring bass fishing season, give some jerkbaits a try when your slow presentations are not producing. Also, get some horizontal patterned baits and see what you think.

Stay safe everyone.

Kevin