CABBAGE, VEG-E JIGS & REDTAILS

One of the cool things about river fishing is the element of surprise. You never know what you’re going to catch â since walleyes, smallmouth and largemouth, pike, catfish, muskies, roughfish and virtually every species often share the same hangouts.
 
In a lake system, there’s no similar “melting pot” quite like a big cabbage bed. Fish just love cabbage. It can grow in a variety of depths depending on water clarity and region. Cabbage delivers a richness of oxygen. It provides excellent cover from root-to-tip. And best of all, it often grows in irregular densities.
 
Why is that the best thing of all? Because by growing in varied densities, cabbage beds create natural thickets and clearings that are essential for attracting and holding gamefish.
 
Predator fish are a lot like jungle cats. They like to lurk in heavy cover that borders a clearing. From the canopy, they can “lay in wait” for an opportune meal that makes the mistake of swimming past their position. Then, WHAMMO!
 
What Will You Catch?
That’s the million-dollar question in cabbage. Because you just never know. Like I said before, cabbage is a melting pot. One cast might produce a five-pound bass. The next? A big pike. After that? A fat walleye. It’s a veritable smorgasbord of action for an angler who’s armed with the right equipment and a simple game plan.
 
Step One â The Perimeter.
OK, you’ve located a healthy cabbage bed. You’re wearing your polarized glasses and can see that the plants are healthy, leafy and green. Get a feel for the layout of the bed by cruising the outside edges with your trusty Minn Kota. I’ll fish while I survey, typically with a fast-moving “search bait” that lets me cover a lot of water. A medium-diving, shad-pattern crankbait is a perfect choice for working most weedlines.
 
While cruising the perimeter, make mental notes on any “fingers” or inside cuts that exist in the cabbage bed. Fish will often key in on these ambush areas. If you find a defined finger that extends to a sharp break into deep water, be ready for a strike!
 
Step Two â Get Into The Thick Of It!
After fishing the outside edges, it’s time to switch gears and go after embedded fish. Start in areas close to those fingers and cuts you located on your perimeter mission.
 
For equipment, I prefer a 7-foot, medium-action St. Croix Avid rod for this task. You can use a baitcaster or spinning gear. I like a spinning outfit so I can easily free-spool line to a fish.
 
Use 12-20 pound test line in the jungle, so you can lean back on a fish with confidence and keep it from burying after you set the hook. On that line, tie on a Lindy No-Snagg Veg-E Jig. 1/4 ounce is a perfect size for this application. The wire hook guard on this jig allows you to swim it through the salad without hang-ups. Tip the Veg-E Jig with a lively Redtail minnow between 4-5 inches long. You’re ready.
 
Ease through the cover slowly and look for pockets in the thickest cabbage. Pitch that jig & Redtail to the spot and let it freefall down into the pocket. Then don’t do a darned thing. Just dead-stick that jig and let the Redtail fight the hook.
 
If there’s a fish within eyeshot, she’ll see the bait. If the Redtail sees the fish, he’ll do what Redtails do best. He’ll freak out! He’ll do everything in his power to escape, and that frenzied reaction that Redtails demonstrate will trigger strikes that other minnow breeds (like docile Suckers) won’t get.
 
Watch your line. If a fish picks up your bait, you’ll see the line “jump” and start to tighten. Point your rodtip at the fish and as soon as you feel the slightest tension, SET IT! Take control of the fight quickly to prevent the fish from getting deep into the thick stuff. Use your Minn Kota to get on top of the fight if you have to.
 
Given the size of the bait, chances are you’ll have a big fish attached to the business end of your Veg-E Jig. Whether it will be a walleye, pike, bass, muskie, dogfish or whatever is anybody’s guess. Whichever species you encounter in cabbage, one thing’s for certain⦠You’ll have a blast and the opportunity for big fish with Veg-E Jigs and Redtails in the salad.
 
Good Fishing!
 
Babe Winkelman is a nationally-known outdoorsman who has taught people to fish and hunt for over25 years.  Watch his award-winning “Good Fishing” and “Outdoor Secrets” television shows on the Versus Network (VS.), WGN-TV, FOX Sports Net, FOX College Sports, The Sportsman Channel and WILD TV.  By: Babe Winkelman / Babe Winkelman Productions