How To Fish The Meegs Jig - From the Pros

Everything you need to know to fish the Meegs jig for Whitefish!
Buy your Meegs jigs here: goo.gl/qnFrZe
How to fish the Meegs jig... and catch whitefish, that's what I've been trying to figure out for a while now. I can't seem to get the hang of this Meegs jig though. Today I decided to get some professional help from Steve Rowbotham (www.srfishing.ca) who's working with Fatal Force Outfitters here in Orillia - and a Meegs jig pro.
I had planned this trip for a while. Just as the winter season started, Steve Rowbotham announced that he was going to start guiding full time. I've been a follower of Steve's on KZbin for a while and have always been jealous of his Lake Trout and Pike trips - so of course I had to book right away!
The trip was originally planned for the 2nd of January but because ice on Simcoe was a bit delayed, so was the trip.
Of course early mornings are the norm for fishing trips but this one wasn't so bad. We met up at the north end of Simcoe around 7am. The entire Fatal Force team was there - Tom Carr, James Meeger, his Dad and Steve Rowbotham all chatted with us while we packed up gear and got ready to hit the ice.
They only had two sleds so the team went out and setup huts and heat while two of them came back and picked us up. The drive wasn't too far off shore but we did hit a deeper shoal. After Steve got the hut setup we were able to finally sit down and talk about how to properly fish the Meegs.
Steve outlined the basics of the rig:
1. Put the bait on bottom but keep tension on the line
2. Hold the reel in your hand, palm up, like you were weighing a small coin.
3. When moving the bait, work it like you are just moving the tail up and down with only a millimeter amount of separation between the bait and the bottom. The goal is to make the bait look like it's burrowing into the mud.
The bite, that was tricky to help me understand. I'm very much used to fishing summertime moving baits for fish who tug, pull or otherwise aggressively hit baits. Even my winter time perch attack, there's no confusion - you feel it, or see the rod bend. Whitefish bite different. Since there's tension on the bait, and it's on bottom - the only way the bait is going to move is up, into that fishes mouth. Since it's moving up the feeling is nothing. The tension is gone, as Steve put it "It's like something's cut your line".
Steve pinned a few fish while I tried to figure it out but it just wasn't working out for me. He moved me to a bait called the "Halo" which is a small feathered bait made by Tom Carr. it looks a bit like a Mr. Crappie Slab Daddy... kind of. I mean, not really but it's the closest thing I can think of that would come close. The bait is kept above the bottom by a few feet, and you gently stroke it. It's a chase bait so when the fish see it, you slowly reel up and let them chase and take it.
After a few hours, I wasn't getting anything. Steve left for a bit and Tom came in - I assume Steve told him I couldn't get it and brought Tom in to have another perspective and see if it would click with me. Tom sat down and in 2 minutes he had a fish on the line and quickly followed it up with a second. I missed my chance with one fish but there was quickly another mark and with instruction from Tom and Steve, I had my bite.
It was very subtle but the weight on the line felt amazing. I was able to get him to the hole quickly and Tom, Steve and I all shook hands and were happy to help me get my first Whitefish - ever.
The chase bite really wasn't there so Steve got me back on the Meegs jig. I had a few tings on the line but missed those hook sets. Suddenly it was there, exactly as Steve described it - nothing. I lifted the rod straight to the roof, the drag screaming all the way up as the hook buried into the top of the fishes mouth. My heart started going - I couldn't believe I figured it out. All last season was spent looking for the wrong bite, with the wrong presentation and within half a day I had it. I could see the smile on Steves face, he knew I had it too - it was on!
I managed another fish on the Meegs and each hook set felt as amazing as the first. The feeling of nothing on your line is a weird bite for me but once you feel it - you get it.
The day ended with a close to double header and a very happy angler - me. Sometimes you just need to spend time with someone better than you, who's been there done that. You can't go to school for this type of education but you can surround yourself with people who can help you grow.
If you would like to fish with some of the best - book with either Steve or Fatal Force Outfitters
Learning to fish, one cast in the trees at a time.
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[@stephenbyce]

might be your best video ever...really appreciate how they showed proper techniques

[@OrilliaFishing]

Thanks man! I really appreciate that! Yeah Steve's amazing at teaching and super patient when it comes to a slow guy like me lol

[@xxgg]

Great video again! He works at Fatal Force? No wonder I haven't seen any of his own videos.

[@OrilliaFishing]

He's done one or two this winter but yes, I'm sure he's been plenty busy helping out the Fatal Force crew!

[@OutdoorsygalO]

Congratulations on finally catching a whitie! Yay! It was great seeing Steve too. Haven’t seen him on video in quite a while. 😎 I watched the whole video and I hit the LIKE button before I left.

[@OrilliaFishing]

You rock, as usual! Hope you're getting out and catchin' 'em too!

[@OutdoorsygalO]

Aww....thank you. 😁 Not yet. Newer sleds are at the Doctor 😉

[@OrilliaFishing]

Hopefully for an upgrade and not something wrong already!

[@OutdoorsygalO]

We hope so too. We bought them both recently second hand. They are having a look see, carbs done and both are getting studded.

[@MrSurfangler]

@@OrilliaFishing , What's the Halo bait?

[@ShaharyarAhmed]

Thanks so much for thos video i landed my 2 first whites. This meegs technique the way they explained it is very easy

[@OrilliaFishing]

That's awesome!!! Congrats on those first fish! I'm glad you enjoyed the video too! I've enjoyed the meegs for sure I think I may try a few of the other baits for whitefish too

[@johnwalker9388]

Went out last weekend with fatal,force and ya it was awesome thought i knew how to fish the Meegs a few tweets and it was game on great video

[@OrilliaFishing]

Glad ya had a blast, it's like all those guys are whitefish magicians lol You been catching even more now that you've been out with 'em?

[@sooleyoutdoors2728]

good video congratulations on your first whitie. good times to come.

[@OrilliaFishing]

Thanks man! I hope I can start slaying em now!

[@leelantern805]

nice job, I remember my first white fish from simcoe, I was the one who was hooked after that. wait till you hook into a Monster lake trout

[@OrilliaFishing]

oh man, I can't WAIT for that to happen! I hope I'm not alone so I can scream and holler and get all riled up with someone lol

[@18xMotorsports]

Great video Jason. Met you while purchasing a spud bar at trambleys last sunday! I hit the sub and threw a like 👍🏻

[@OrilliaFishing]

Thanks man! Next time you're in mention the username so I can match the face :) Hopefully the ice has been good enough you didn't need that spud.

[@BassGeek]

Man great catch and some really great info. Nice job.

[@OrilliaFishing]

Thanks man!

[@zo1574]

Great video - congratulations on landing the whitefish.

[@OrilliaFishing]

Thank you very much!

[@justinklassen122]

💪🏻 Some good whitey fishing 🎣 Congrats

[@OrilliaFishing]

Hopefully even more this year!

[@rod79fishing10]

Very nice and informative video Orillia Fishing !!! Props to fatal force outfitters!!!

[@OrilliaFishing]

Thanks man and yes definitely props to the pros. You fish the Meegs or gonna give it a go?

[@rod79fishing10]

Orillia Fishing I do fish the meegs but I haven’t yet caught a whitefish on it, I need some lessons how to move the lure lol, were you guys at whitefish shoal ?

[@rod79fishing10]

Just subscribed to your channel, nice videos buddy !!!

[@rod79fishing10]

Also what is the Halo ? Lol

[@OrilliaFishing]

Thanks ROD79fishing! The Halo is one of Toms home made baits. I'm honestly not sure where we were fishing so I can't give you too much specifics. If you're marking you're for sure in the right spots - get that feel down and you'll smoke 'em.

[@justingirardfishing4266]

Congrats man! Good video!

[@OrilliaFishing]

Thanks man! I had a blast!

[@NellysfishingAdventures]

Right on bud, i was on simcoe yesterday targeting white fish but had no luck, great video !

[@OrilliaFishing]

You'll get em! Were you using the Meegs?

[@NellysfishingAdventures]

I was using one rod with live minnow and another rod with a jigging rap and then I changed that to a blade bait. I gotta give meegs a try

[@OrilliaFishing]

My favorite so far - it's a fun bait for sure! There's lots of good whitefish lures - spreaders with live minnows is good, so are vibratos. Best of luck to ya!

[@Thermopylae2007]

Great tips! I had a slow day on Simcoe this past Saturday but am thinking that I might have gotten a few soft bites that I wouldn't even have noticed. I will adopt these methods when I go out again and see if it helps.

[@OrilliaFishing]

They've been really off lately. All February and March so far. Even other guys I've been speaking with. I've gone out a few weeks now and know I'm missing bites too. Best of luck!!!

[@peteryosilee6787]

That's awesome!

[@OrilliaFishing]

Thanks man!!

[@fishinforlikes1611]

Great video.....I wish I had watched it before I went fishing yesterday. But I think it'll help me unlock those whities now...couple small details I was missing that you captured really well. Wondering what the halo is though.....lol

[@OrilliaFishing]

Thank you, yes I think Steve did an amazing job at teaching. IMHO best teacher put in video so far. The Halo is just a chase bait, I'm sure he'll show it to ya if you go out with em ;)

[@fishinforlikes1611]

@@OrilliaFishing yeah if I'm gonna go with anyone, it'll be FatalForce.

[@colcol3235]

Ive never met Tom, but have to say he is the guru of lake simcoe.. hes the reason i slam whities.. hands down.. Now i gotta figure out the halo....

[@OrilliaFishing]

He definitely can catch 'em! Good luck with that Halo lol Unless Tom gave ya one you may have an issue, there's a "secret sauce" he uses.

[@colcol3235]

@@OrilliaFishing then i guess its the meegs.. lol..

[@OrilliaFishing]

Meegs 4 life lol

[@johnwalker9388]

Adjust a few things if was doing wrong Tom corrected me and now i really feel contvident

[@OrilliaFishing]

Awesome! I am too, now I just need the fish to wanna bite.

[@MarkTheTechGuy]

Great video guy's Steve I have not seen you making any video's with Seabass what is going on with that?

[@OrilliaFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@grantwhalleyfishing1071]

Awesome vid jay!

[@OrilliaFishing]

Thank you! I had a blast out there!

[@TFFOutdoors]

Great video man!

[@OrilliaFishing]

Thanks! I had a blast making it! You fish the Meegs?

[@TFFOutdoors]

Looked like a blast. I’ve fished Meegs before but no luck, mainly because I didn’t know how to use it but clearly it works great!

[@bennybrown9009]

Great video very informative 👍👍

[@OrilliaFishing]

Thanks! Not to toot my own horn to hard but I think I was able to capture the most informative Meegs video out there to date. I'm proud of this vid, I'm glad you liked it!

[@icy269]

congrats on first whitey! btw Were you out on Kbay last saturday in a red hut? think i saw someone in that bright yellow suit

[@OrilliaFishing]

I've made sure to sell tons of 'em through Trombly's so I'm not the only big yellow banana out there lol I unfortunately work weekends so it for sure wasn't me. How'd you make out on Kbay?

[@icy269]

​@@OrilliaFishing hahaha he was a good looking banana in that suit! i went to the mid away from the crowd man, few bites in the morning and died in afternoon for me. congrats again man now you're gonna hit em hard

[@OrilliaFishing]

Thanks! I sure hope so!

[@jordanskinkle4923]

That would've been me !! Lol

[@OrilliaFishing]

Holy small world lol

[@kingstondunk3465]

Congrats.... best way to learn is to fish with a ton of different people.

[@OrilliaFishing]

I so agree! And if those other people are better tha you - it's even better!

[@propagandapandas]

Seems like its reverse fishing wait for lack of tug 🧐 interesting I wanna try someday

[@OrilliaFishing]

It is for sure a different bite! Super fun once you get the hang of it!

[@bertdevroom4440]

Hi, Pease tell me why do you put on a small tube onto the meegs?

[@OrilliaFishing]

I think it gives it a bit more movement when you're rocking it on the bottom.

[@bertdevroom4440]

@@OrilliaFishing \many thanks

[@rinkrat55]

I’m still lookin for my first white. Using Meegs can’t get the feel yet.

[@OrilliaFishing]

that initial feel was tough for me too, I'm glad I hired someone to show me how to fish it. I still have a hard time with it and I bet I"ll have to get that feel again this year. I feel like this year is going to be a soft plastics kinda bite though - same kinda feel I think.

[@jonshepfishing]

SLAYIN !!!

[@OrilliaFishing]

Sure felt that way! Hopefully I can keep up the momentum on my own too!

[@PathToEntrepreneurship]

What depth and bottom structure do you look for to locate so many whities?

[@OrilliaFishing]

On Simcoe they seem to be everywhere but I'd go with something rocky or shell beds. But theres guys who smash em on mud bottoms in Kempenfelt Bay. I personally like to start out with shoals or quick drop offs from shallow flats.

[@PathToEntrepreneurship]

@@OrilliaFishing I fished Kemfelt bay 120 FOW from 5 am to 4 pm using Meegs last weekend....NOTHING. I'm in the same boat as you trying to see if it works and how so...Using 1/2 oz Meegs...I was just bouncing it 1 inch off bottom but I now noticed in your video you guys swing it up and down in bottom 2 foot of water to attract the fish, which I wasn't doing, and then you drop to the bottom to bounce...Going to give Meegs another go and if it fails then giving up...

[@OrilliaFishing]

For sure man. The thing is that bounce on bottom is more of a wiggle. Constant tension on the line. Honestly I find it hard on mud bottoms. If you're getting marks and they're not committing dont be afraid to try something that can be dead sticked a foot off bottom.

[@PathToEntrepreneurship]

This weekend I went again and used Meegs again....After 2 hours I finally had a fish on! When I stopped reeling for 2 seconds to take my transducer out the ice hole the fish came off....-_-...Atleast I got a fish on Meegs for the first time....still trying to dial in how to bounce it to get them to bite...Sometimes reeling up and then dropping back keeps them interested...There must be a few moves the pros know to keep the fish interested if the basic bottom tap isn't getting them to bite..Please do more videos on Meegs and how to get the fishies to bite..My sonar this weekend literally marked over 50 fish from 7 am to 4 pm, but only 1 bite on Meegs.

[@OrilliaFishing]

Good job man!!!! Sounds like you're working it right!

[@petekobraoutdoors7324]

I like the videos, But ,Holding the rod like a pencil is a fad that's only for small handed people. And there's no reason to think that it's better than holding it Traditionally. Have a great 2021 season

[@OrilliaFishing]

Thanks for watching! Honestly I've tried holding it the traditional style and I feel like I do feel the bite more. It could just be because of using it like that from the start though.... also... don't tell the ladies but I got small hands too. 🤣

[@pokerflush29]

Haven’t watched the whole video...what’s a halo?

[@OrilliaFishing]

The Halo is a bait that Tom Carr created. It's a small grub or feathered shiner imitation that you gently swim near the bottom. It's a chase bait. It looks a BIT like the Slab Daddy bait but with a darter head and it's smaller.

[@chichuaxyiong7803]

Wrong demo

[@OrilliaFishing]

What'da mean?

[@user-xr5vr2uq6v]

Do you have any pictures of the Halo?

[@OrilliaFishing]

I don't. I really should have taken some but I don't wanna rip off someone's bait either. I'm sure there was a lot of testing and playing to get that bait to work so well. I keep bugging him to produce it with the Meegs guys lol Who knows, maybe in the future.

[@user-xr5vr2uq6v]

Orillia Fishing Please keep bugging him. The reason I’m asking is because I want to make my own. Looked around everywhere and couldn’t find it on sale.

[@OrilliaFishing]

Yeah, he makes them so they wont be for sale anywhere for sure.

[@steelhead6313]

lol, those are $300 whitefishes...

[@OrilliaFishing]

Lol if only I could sell them for that lol Instead it was a $300 one on one, in class seminar ;)

[@steelhead6313]

@@OrilliaFishing I'd say well worth it because now you're are slaying them like the pro's.

[@OrilliaFishing]

Well... still yet to be seen lol I gotta get out there on my own and produce yet. But I'm confident if I can find em, I can hook em 😉