How to Use Berkley Gulp Alive Minnows

fishing hooks image by Liz Van Steenburgh from Fotolia.com

Berkley Gulp baits feature scent packed realistic actions design to attract fish, encourage strikes and make fish hold on for better hook sets. The Alive line of Gulp baits have more realistic soft plastic baits and the ability to absorb up to 20 times the amount of Gulp attractant. The end result is powerful bait that can lure even the most lethargic fish. Perhaps the best part of Gulp minnows is the ease with which they may be rigged.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Medium heavy rod with matched reel
Mono filament fishing line
Jig head hook
Snips

Step 1

Attach a jig head hook to your mono filament fishing line with an Improved Clinch knot (see link). Moisten the knot, pull down securely and cut excess line from the knot with snips.

Step 2

Hold the shank of the jig head hook in one hand and a Berkley Gulp Alive minnow in the other. Position the point of the hook so that it is at the nose of the minnow.

Step 3

Insert the point of the hook into the nose of the minnow. Push the hook about 1 inch into the body of the bait.

Step 4

Turn the point of the hook upward and push it out the top of the minnow. Push the minnow up the shank of the jig head hook until the nose of the minnow is against the jig head. Straighten the minnow so that it lies straight and flat on the shank of the hook.

Step 5

Cast the jig head rigged minnow into the water and allow the bait to settle toward the bottom or structure. Begin a slow retrieve and move the rod up and down with a slow motion. This will jig the bait along and provide realism to the minnow as it is retrieved through the water.

Step 6

When a fish strikes the jig head minnow, reel down on the line and slightly raise the tip of the rod to set the hook.

Tips & Warnings

Hold the jig beside the minnow, before rigging, to get an idea of where the point of the hook should exit the minnow when it is rigged.

Resources

Animated Knots by Grog: The Improved Clinch Knot

Article Written By Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.

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