Gear Review: Missile Baits Ike’s Monster Jig

WHAT IS IT?

Missile Baits Ike’s Monster Jig

WHAT SETS IT APART?

For several years, Mike Iaconelli has worked with fellow Elite John Crews of Missile Baits to develop a line of tiny jigs built tough enough to handle big bass. Now, Iaconelli has taken his design inspiration in the opposite direction with the Missile Baits Ike’s Monster Jig. Earning its name with a hulking form, this new bait is built on a custom 10/0 VMC 60-degree heavy-duty jig hook with the super slick PTFE coating. Built for big attraction, this jig is well-armed to handle whatever bites.

HOW DO I USE IT?

Available in 1 and 1 1/2-ounce sizes, the Monster Jig comes in six big bait colors from green gizzard to rainbow trout. Iaconelli said he designed this bait to tempt big bass feeding on big forage from gizzard shad to bluegill to tilapia. Iaconelli’s favorite ways of fishing the Monster Jig include dragging the bottom for low-holding fish, pitching and flipping standard cover — especially under docks where big treble hook baits can’t reach — and counting down and swimming the bait for suspended fish he spots on his forward-facing sonar.

HOW MUCH?

$15.99

MORE INFORMATION:

MissileBaits.com

ANGLER’S INSIGHT: 

As Iaconelli points out, there was a day that the notion of “giant baits” was mostly a West Coast deal. Today, anglers coast to coast throw 8- to 10-inch swimbaits and glide baits on just about every type of tournament water imaginable. In his view, the Missile Baits Monster Jig offers another way to present that whopper profile to fish targeting huge meals. This one just does it with more diversity.