Bemidji, MN – Panfish jigs are nothing new. As long as there have been hooks, metal, and feathers, resourceful anglers have combined ingredients to create fish-catching baits. Thing is that these historically effective baits have been made of one thing for the last century: lead.
But we’re living in a new age – and yes, there’s a better way. And one that will put more fish in the icebox.
We’re talking tungsten (aka wolfram), represented by the symbol W and atomic number 74 on the periodic table of elements. Of all metals in pure form, it has the highest melting point of the bunch. It is further characterized by its extreme hardness, which makes it challenging to work with. Despite its properties, however, tackle-makers have figured out how to leverage the unique material into some wicked jigs.
Because tungsten is so hard, compact, and heavy, the material provides anglers with extreme sensitivity, which can be incredibly helpful to determine bottom substrate and detect the slightest of bites. It also falls fast, getting down to fish low in the water column – another benefit.
Limited for many years to the bass, walleye, and ice fishing realms, Northland Fishing Tackle is proud to introduce several new designs of tungsten jigs designed specifically for targeting panfish: crappies, sunfish, and perch.
Enter the Tungsten Crappie King, new for 2024.
The Tungsten Crappie King is a bite-sized jig that still packs a heavy punch. Made from tungsten that is 30% denser than lead, this small package gets to the fish fast. Once down there, anglers will feel more bites because of the hardness of the material, which telegraphs more sensitivity up the line, through the rod, and into the anglers’ hands.
In addition to catching more fish, this eco-friendly material is also better for the environment.
Designed with the panfish angler in mind, the Tungsten Crappie King Jig is the ultimate for bringing big slabs topside. Beyond the marvelous material, on the back end, the Tungsten Crappie King Jig features an ultra-sharp, perfectly-proportioned hook designed for the delicate mouths of panfish.
Veteran fishing guide and panfish advocate, Brian “Bro” Brosdahl calls the new Northland Fishing Tackle Tungsten Crappie King Jigs “perfect”.
“The first thing I like is the fast fall to get down to where the crappies are feeding. Secondly, they have a good quiver action. It’s easy to make ‘em shimmy a little bit, which in my experience, gets more bites,” relates Bro.
Bro also appreciates the dense and heavy aspect of these new tungsten micro-jigs.
“Get a little wind and you can still cast these jigs straight. They cast much farther than lead and you have better control and sensitivity when using light line. Another benefit of being able to maintain a straight line to the jig is you feel bites better and hooksets are generally solid. And you don’t have to wait for your jig to reach the fish, which can be painful with small lead panfish jigs.”
Bro is also bullish on the new Tungsten Crappie King’s jig head shape.
“Northland spent a lot of time getting just the right jig head shape. While it does have a vertical line-tie, the flatter head tips a bit when you work it, tantalizing and teasing panfish into biting.”
“If I think live bait is going to be the ticket, I’ll fish the Tungsten Crappie King Jig with a chunk of ‘crawler or a little panfish leech—or a small fathead or crappie minnow. It’s a great bait delivery device, perfect for lighter bites when panfish want just a little bit of meat.”
Continuing his thoughts, Bro says he’ll pitch the jig sans bobber, but also employs a slip or fixed float in certain circumstances. “Thing is,” says Bro, “no matter how you fish these jigs, they show up plain as day on forward viewing, which makes them really easy to fish without any float at all.”
“Like a lot of Northland baits,” says Bro. “These new Tungsten Crappie King Jigs just flat-out catch fish and should be in every angler’s survival kit. If I’m going out with clients and they want to keep a few fish for the frying pan, it’s a no-brainer. This is exactly what we’re fishing to get the job done.”
Features
MSRP: $6.59 – 2/Card
AVAILABLE SPRING 2023
ABOUT Northland® Fishing Tackle
In 1975, a young Northwoods fishing guide named John Peterson started pouring jigs and tying tackle for his clients in a small remote cabin in northern Minnesota. The lures were innovative, made with high quality components, and most importantly, were catching fish when no other baits were working! Word spread like wildfire, the phone started ringing… and the Northland Fishing Tackle® brand was in hot demand! For 40 years now, John and the Northland® team have been designing, testing and perfecting an exclusive line of products that catch fish like no other brand on the market today. Manufactured in the heart of Minnesota’s finest fishing waters, Northland® is one of the country’s leading producers of premium quality jigs, live bait rigs, spinnerbaits and spoons for crappies, bluegills, perch, walleyes, bass, trout, northern pike and muskies.
ABOUT Bagley Bait Company The personality of any company comes from its founder. Jim Bagley was an inventive, fun-loving, passionate fisherman who became one the most respected legends in the fishing tackle industry. In late 2010, Jarmo Rapala and a group of investors bought Bagley Bait Company. As an admirer of Jim Bagley for his attention to quality and of his product ingenuity and innovation, Jarmo initiated significant changes in operations, enhanced production processes and quality control. Now in 2020, Northland® Fishing Tackle, along with Jarmo as its Chief Lure Designer, maintain the legacy of creating premium balsa crankbaits and topwater lures, as well as jigs and spoons for both freshwater and saltwater anglers.
