What is slow pitch jigging?

Slow pitch jigging is a vertical fishing technique that uses fluttering metal jigs to mimic dying baitfish. It's effective in both saltwater and freshwater and works especially well when fish are not chasing fast-moving lures.

What size jig should I use?

Choose jig weight based on depth and current. Use 10–20g for docks and shallow water, 40–100g for nearshore, and 300g+ for offshore or deep water. Match the weight to how quickly you want to reach the strike zone.

Can slow pitch jigs be used in freshwater?

Yes! Submission Jigs are used successfully in lakes and rivers for bass, walleye, trout, and more. Their lifelike flutter action triggers bites when other lures fail, especially in cold or pressured conditions.

Do I need special gear for slow pitch jigging?

While you can start with standard rods and reels, a true slow pitch setup includes a soft-tip rod, high-speed conventional reel, braided line, and fluorocarbon leader. Lighter gear helps you feel the jig’s action and detect subtle strikes.

What types of fish can I catch with Submission Jigs?

Submission Jigs catch bass, redfish, black sea bass, snapper, grouper, yellowtail, tuna, and more. They're designed for both freshwater and saltwater action, from docks to deep sea.

How do I rig and use your assist hooks?

Attach the assist hook to the top eyelet of the jig, we like two on the eye side for the 10g and 15g jigs, and one on each end for 10g through 80g. For best results, use one or two assist hooks depending on the jig size. All Submission Hooks are saltwater-rated and matched to each jig size.

Jan 06, 2026

From Skunk to Action: When to Use 10g–20g Micro Slow Pitch Jigs

There’s a moment every fisherman knows.

Plastics untouched.
Live bait looks perfect… and still gets ignored.
You’re marking fish, seeing bait, feeling confident about location—but nothing commits.

That’s usually when anglers make the wrong move: fishing faster, throwing bigger lures, or changing colors out of frustration.

This is exactly when a micro slow pitch jig should come out of the box.

Not as a last resort—but as a precision decision made by anglers who understand control fishing.

(Related read: 5 Slow Pitch Jigging Mistakes and How to Fix Them)

What Is Micro Slow Pitch Jigging (And Why It Works)

Micro slow pitch jigging is a finesse-style vertical jigging technique that uses lightweight metal jigs (10g–20g) worked with controlled lifts and intentional falls. Instead of chasing fish, these jigs stay in the strike zone longer and trigger reaction bites.

This style excels in:

Pressured fisheries
Cold water conditions
Dock and structure fishing
Kayak fishing
Freshwater and saltwater applications

If you’re new to the concept, it’s worth understanding how this differs from traditional jigging or fast-moving lures
→ Start Here if You're New to Slow Pitch Jigging

When Fish Are There — But Won’t Commit

You’re seeing fish on electronics.
You’re getting follows.
You’re feeling taps with no hookups.

That usually means fish are inactive, pressured, or simply not willing to chase.

A 10g–15g micro slow pitch jig creates a compact profile with a wounded-baitfish flutter that forces fish to react on instinct. Many strikes happen on the fall, not the retrieve.

This is where jigs like the:

Ogre Jr (10g / 15g) → Ogre Jr AKA "Baby Ogre"
Mercenary (10g / 15g) → Micro Mercenary Jigs

shine as controlled, center-weighted finesse jigs designed to provoke bites when nothing else does.

When Soft Plastics Stop Producing

Soft plastics dominate most tackle boxes—but they lose effectiveness fast in pressured water.

Fish learn the profiles.
They feel the same vibrations.
They follow… then turn away.

Micro metal jigs introduce a completely different look and feel:

Unique fall rate
Different flash and vibration
More natural “dying bait” action

Switching to a 10g Sumo or 15g Death Blade often turns curiosity into commitment, especially around docks and harbor structure.

(Recommended read: How to Turn Slow Days into Big Wins)

When Fish Are Overfed or Stuffed on Bait

Ever land a fish that vomits bait in your kayak or boat?

That’s when anglers make the mistake of upsizing.

Overfed fish don’t want to chase.
They want easy, low-effort meals.

This is where micro slow pitch jigs dominate.

The Death Blade (15g) creates flash, vibration, and a wounded baitfish profile that triggers reaction strikes—even when predators are full.

👉 Explore the Death Blade Jig

This makes micro jigs deadly for:

Spotted bay bass
Calico bass
Stripers
Fluke
Freshwater bass

When Fishing Docks, Piers, and Tight Structure

Micro slow pitch jigging is one of the most effective techniques for dock fishing and vertical structure fishing.

With a 10g–15g jig, you can:

Fish vertically
Maintain precise depth control
Stay tight to structure without constant snagging

The Ogre Jr and Sumo micro jigs excel here thanks to their controlled descent and intuitive hook placement.

When Kayak Fishing or Drifting

Kayak anglers feel wind and current more than anyone.

Heavy jigs crash.
Plastics blow out of the zone.

A 15g–20g Mercenary micro jig lets you stay vertical longer, feel every movement, and maintain slow pitch action even while drifting.

👉 Dock Fishing with Submission Jigs

Why Micro Slow Pitch Jigs Outperform Bigger Lures on Tough Days

They stay in the strike zone longer
They trigger instinct, not hunger
They work in cold water when metabolism slows
They excel in pressured fisheries
They give anglers control instead of hope

If you want a deeper breakdown of when to choose each size, check out
→ How to Choose the Rig Jig

The Bottom Line

A 10g–20g micro slow pitch jig isn’t a novelty.
It isn’t a panfish tool.
And it definitely isn’t a desperation move.

It’s a precision solution for anglers who want to turn tough days into productive ones.

When plastics fail.
When bait gets ignored.
When confidence starts slipping.

Tie on a micro jig.
Fish with intention.
And change the day.

Core Takeaway

A micro jig isn’t a last resort—it’s the move that turns skunked days into action.

👉Shop All the Lightweights Here

Sign up for our email list and get:
- 🎁 15% off your first order
- 🚀 Early access to new product drops
- 🎥 How-to videos with Mike Muto