Professional bass angler Jake Lawrence breaks down one of the most effective and dependable techniques in modern fishing—the jig and minnow. Whether you’re targeting bass, drum, catfish, or anything feeding on shad, the power of this bait combination is unmatched. Lawrence focuses on how to present the new Yamamoto Hinge Minnow for maximum results, with a strong emphasis on precise rigging, bait control, and timing.
Featured Product
- MINNOW PLASTIC – Yamamoto Hinge Minnow 6″: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- JIGHEAD – Ball Head Jig 1/4 oz.: Shop Jigheads at Bass Pro Shops
- ROD – Dobyns Champion XP Spinning Rod 7’6″ Medium Light: Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- REEL – Daiwa Tatula MQ LT Spinning Reel: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- MAINLINE – Seaguar JDM PEX8 Braid (18 lb.): Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- LEADER – Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon Line (15 lb.): Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
Why the Jig and Minnow Continues to Dominate
This isn’t just a trend—it’s a staple. Fish suspended off the bottom respond aggressively to a well-presented minnow, especially when they’re actively feeding on schools of shad. Lawrence demonstrates how a properly rigged jig-headed minnow triggers fish to move up from the bottom, even when they’re in a neutral or negative feeding mode. Rather than forcing the bait into a fish’s face, Lawrence encourages anglers to stay above the fish and let the bait roll naturally, creating a more realistic target. When schools turn competitive, getting that bait in quickly can lead to immediate strikes.
The Key to Success: Bait Presentation
According to Lawrence, the most important factor in this technique is rigging the bait perfectly straight. The Hinge Minnow includes built-in rigging guides—small dimples that help you align it quickly and accurately every time. This straight rigging ensures a natural rolling motion that doesn’t spook fish. The hinge design in the bait’s tail section gives it added action and durability. A built-in flange helps slow the bait’s rotation, keeping the movement consistent and believable to wary fish.
How to Read Structure and Find Fish
Lawrence uses side imaging to locate key ambush areas where schools group up. These locations consistently hold active fish across a variety of species. He highlights how schools erupt when baitfish pass overhead, creating perfect windows to trigger reaction bites. With a little patience and the right technique, the jig and minnow approach becomes one of the most productive tools in any angler’s arsenal.
Boat Setup
- BOAT – Phoenix 921 Elite: Check out at Phoenix
- OUTBOARD – Mercury Pro XS 250hp: Check out at Mercury
- TROLLING MOTOR – Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST, 112lb, 36V, 52″: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- MAPPING – Humminbird LakeMaster Premium VX Digital Map Chart Card (Great Plains): Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Humminbird
- FISH FINDER – Garmin GPSMAP Touch-Screen Fish Finder/Chartplotter Combo, 12-inch: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- FISH FINDER – HELIX 12 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G4N: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- FORWARD-FACING SONAR (FFS) – Garmin LVS34 LiveScope Plus Live Scanning Sonar Transducer: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
