Jig and Minnow in July?

[JiMinneye]

I have fished a jig and minnow throughout July this year with good success. In years past when we have had "Normal" summer weather, I would abandon the jig and minnow for Crawlers and Leeches on Rigs, and trolling crankbaits. Because the weather has been so cold this year and water temps have only been in the 70's only a few times I have done substantially better with the jig/minnow combo than any other presentation. My question is: Does the jig/minnow combination work well throughout the year in all years and water temps or is it just working this year because it has been so cold ? Have I been missing out on this good bite for all these years ? What are your thoughts and experiences ? Thanks for responding...Jim

[Rowdie22]

I usually don't even buy minnows in the summer. I might slow down to lindy rigs, but use crawlers and leeches. If the fishing gets tough, like it is right now, I just try going out at night, or go for suspended fish. Maybe I should jig more in the summer, but my just can't sit still during the summer. I don't mind drifting on a windy day with spinners.

It has been a cool summer though, but the past 2 years we've done well on cranks in the fall, (Nov.) and srping. Late April

[hondo]

I don't think there's a bad time of year to fish minnows. Other presentations might heat up at times and/or be the hot bite for a while, but a minnow is a close to a can't-miss bait as there is .....all year long.

[eyecatcher01]

i second that jig n minnow is an awesome all around presentation, that and jig n leech. Vertical jign is my favorite way to catch walleye and am always throwing it at em even when other methods are working....just more fun to feel that tap tap whap than dragging a crankbait around watching it get smacked. really a jig n minnow works year round...the only way to go on hard water and just carries over for the soft water.