Catch Fish With the Banjo Minnow
- 1). Assemble the Banjo minnow by inserting a no-crimp bait holder into the nose of a soft plastic minnow. The holder features a corkscrew twisted into the nose of the bait. Slide an O ring onto the bend of a Kahle hook. Select a Kahle hook size based on personal preference and species of fish. A 2/0 size is a good starting point.
- 2). Insert the point of the Kahle hook through the eye of the no-crimp bait holder. Slide another O ring onto the bend of the Kahle hook. Attach a rubberband to the eye of the Kahle hook and stretch it down to the barb of the hook. Attach the rubberband to the barb of the hook.
- 3). Attach the Banjo minnow to your monofilament line with a Palomar knot. The Palomar is a high-strength knot ideally suited for use when fishing monofilament for large fish such as bass or other large fresh or salt-water game fish. Tie the Palomar by feeding the end of the line through the eye of the Kahle hook for 10 to 12 inches. Turn the line back through the eye so you have a double line on one side of the eye and a loop on the other. Tie an overhand knot with the double line and loop, pull the loop around the hook and minnow, moisten the knot and pull tight. Trim excess line from the free end of the knot with scissors.
- 4). Cast the Banjo minnow along weeds and other aquatic vegetation, stumps, logs, trees or man-made structures such as docks. Allow the minnow to initially settle and drift down in the water. This helpless sinking motion often can trigger a strike.
- 5). Raise your rod tip causing the minnow to rise slightly in the water and pull the minnow toward you with a jerking motion. Reel in the line with two or three turns of the reel handle and allow the minnow to settle once again. Jerking the Banjo minnow through the water can closely imitate the erratic movement of a dying or injured minnow triggering a strike from a large fish on the prowl for an easy meal.
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