We like to highlight tackle that is versatile, affordable, and items that everyone should have in their box. The Shimano Coltsniper jig is a weapon that crushes multiple species, can be fished with utilizing various techniques, and run you less then $10. After a few years of using this jig it is one of my favorite artificial’s for inshore ground fish, vertical jigging striped bass and even for light tackle haddock fishing in shallow water.
Shimano released the colt sniper jig 4 years ago and is still not widely popular in the New England market. At the time of the release while commercial striped bass fishing the AVA style diamond jigs with green tails were the hot lure and it was hard pressed to stock up on these during the season. To differentiate I started using the 60g (2.11 oz) Green Mackerel coltsniper which was a similar size to the A-27 (2.75oz) the fish were keyed in on. To my surprise the colt sniper started to out fish the A-27 rods on the boat and the jig has been a favorite of mine since.
Usage
Just this year alone I have caught the following just on a 60g:
- Inshore Cod (released off course) vertical jigging bottom structure in cape cod bay.
- Striped Bass to 30lbs vertical jigging rips
- Haddock in 150ft of water off Stellwagen
- School Bluefin surface feeding south of Martha’s Vineyard
- Black Seabass, Scup, and Tautog bottom jigging Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound.
- Multiple bait species including Mackerel, Herring and Pogies as a bottom jig on a sabiki rig.
- False Albacore in Nantucket Sounds during the fall (last year)
- Yellowfin and Mahi Mahi (100g) in warm water eddies off the dump
The Jig can be used in multiple techniques. It can be used vertically like a flat fall jig but the design makes it flutter on the drop which is killer on multiple species especially Striped Bass. It can also be used as a surface iron to cast and retrieve to surface feeds. These jigs cast a mile and the jigs can be slow retrieve just under the surface and the design makes the jig flutter left and right on the tail end giving it nice action without having to work the rod. Although I mainly fish from a boat my guess is these would be killer for any surfcaster especially in the Canal.
Sizes/Price Chart
Colors
Green Mackerel
Blue Pink
Blue Sardine
White Silver
Brown Aji
All in all I cannot recommend this little versatile jig enough for multi species that we target in New England. I Know personally if i don’t have a few of these on board Im ordering more. My preferences are the Green Mackerel and the Blue Sardine due to the local bait offering but have caught fish on all colors.
If you want to grab a few of these for your box you can click the color links above or get them at Tackle Directs website here…..
Tackle Direct Shimano Coltsniper Jigs