Jiggin' Johnsons' Micro Stick 2" Finesse Soft Plastic Bait

When & where: Around docks, reeds, sparse weeds, brush edges, and anywhere fish want a small snack but still react to a “jig silhouette.”

How: Thread the Micro Stick straight as a short, subtle trailer. Swim it slowly, then pause—let the bait do the talking on the fall.

Why: Micro profile keeps the jig honest when fish are short-striking full-size trailers.

Tuning: If you want more glide, shorten the trailer by trimming a little off the nose so it sits tighter to the jig head.

When & where: Vertical on sonar for crappie/perch; along breaks for smallmouth; or under the ice when fish are “there… but not committing.”

How: Nose-hook for maximum natural quiver, or light Texas-style if you’re around cover. Keep the shake tiny—think “pulse,” not “dance.”

Why: The bait stays in the strike window without looking busy.

Tuning: If bites are light, shorten the leader so the bait sits closer to the weight (more controlled, less wandering).

When & where: Clear water, cruising fish, or suspended schools where a pure “bottom bait” won’t get seen.

How: Rig straight so it tracks true. Make short casts, let it pendulum, then subtly lift-drop to keep it hovering.

Why: A micro profile that can live mid-column without screaming “big meal.”

Tuning: If it rolls, re-thread perfectly straight—micro baits exaggerate small rigging mistakes.

When & where: Gravel, sand, sparse rock, and edges where you want a “little thing” that still stands out.

How: Thread on a small mushroom head. Drag → pause → tiny shake. Let it sit—bites often happen when nothing is happening.

Why: The short stick profile looks like an easy snack and stays non-threatening in pressured water.

Tuning: If you’re snagging, lighten the head and keep the rod higher to “float” it over bottom clutter.

When & where: Docks, shade lines, isolated cover, or bluebird days when fish won’t chase.

How: Add a tiny nail weight to one end and hook through the mid-section. Hop it in place and let it tip over naturally.

Why: You get a controlled fall and subtle “stand up” posture without upsizing the bait.

Tuning: If it falls too fast, use less weight or move the hook slightly toward the unweighted end for more glide.

When & where: The everyday “get bit” rig for panfish, crappie, perch, and trout—open water or ice.

How: Thread straight and fish it like a micro swimbait: slow swim, gentle hops, or vertical jig with short lifts.

Why: Simple + effective. The Micro Stick gives you a clean profile that doesn’t overwhelm small mouths.

Tuning: In cold water, slow down and shorten your lift—micro baits shine when you barely move them.

When & where: Weeds, brush, and snaggy cover where an exposed hook gets punished.

How: Use a small hook and keep it straight. Pitch, let it settle, then gently lift and re-settle.

Why: You get a finesse stick profile with the freedom to fish it “where bites live.”

Tuning: If it spins, your hook is off-center—re-rig until it hangs perfectly neutral.

When & where: Steep banks, seawalls, and dock corners where a slow fall is the whole point.

How: Hook through the middle and let it flutter down. Add tiny twitches to keep it “alive” without moving it far.

Why: The shortest possible “wacky” presentation—great when fish want finesse but still react to fall.

Tuning: If you want more hang time, go lighter and watch your line for ticks on the fall.

When & where: Calm water, shallow cover, and “followers” that won’t commit to bigger baits.

How: Hook mid-body and fish it weightless. Cast, let it fall on slack, then barely shake once or twice.

Why: This is the purest expression of what a micro stick does well: subtle shimmy + easy calories.

Tuning: If bluegill are nipping ends, downsize hook gap and keep the bait shorter (trim a little off one end).

When & where: Ultra-shallow flats, backwaters, and any time fish are spooky or suspended just under the surface.

How: Light hook, long cast, slack-line fall. Let it do its thing, then slow swim it back with pauses.

Why: The smallest, softest “no pressure” look you can give a fish.

Tuning: If you need a touch more casting distance without ruining the fall, add the tiniest possible weight and keep it unpegged.