Gillies Soft Plastics | Jiggin’ Johnsons

Gilleys

Gilleys are a compact “micro-bluegill / baitfish” profile built to get bit when fish are feeding small or acting picky. The lineup is designed as a size range — so you can match the bite from panfish and crappie up through bass and walleye without changing the basic look.

Best for

Crappie and panfish on 1.5"–2" sizes; bass/walleye as sizes go up.

Core idea

Small profile, believable glide, and “hover time” on pauses.

Where it shines

Weed edges, brush, docks, shade lines, and basin schools.

Confidence move

Downsize to the 1.5" or 2" before you abandon the spot.

Sweet spot: The 1.5" and 2" Gilleys are tailor-made for crappie and panfish — small enough to inhale, big enough to see.

Field guide: Gilleys

Size range. Depth control. Micro triggers.

▾ Click to open

Choosing the right size

Use the range to match the mood, not just the species.

1.5": true panfish bite — tiny forage, cold water, and finicky schools.
2": the crappie/panfish workhorse — still small, but more visible and easier to control.
Larger sizes: step up when you want fewer, better bites (bass/walleye/perch), or when forage is larger.
Rule: seeing fish but not catching? Drop one size before you change color or location.

Best rigs

Simple setups that keep the bait natural.

Small jig head: the default — swim it, pendulum it, or tiny hops.
Float (slip or fixed): suspend over brush/weed pockets and let it hover.
Vertical: for crappie stacks — drop, hover, micro-shake slack.
Light drop-shot: when you need it to sit above weeds or hold a precise depth.

Cadence that gets bit

Tiny movement, long pauses, and controlled depth changes.

Swim-pause: slow roll 2–4 feet, pause, let it glide down.
Stall & shimmer: stop it and shake slack — make it breathe without traveling.
One-pop rule: one short pop, then deadstick longer than feels right.
Depth step: if no bites, move up/down a foot or two — panfish and crappie are depth-sensitive.

Where to throw it

High-percentage water for a micro baitfish profile.

Weed edges & pockets: swim parallel, then pause in openings.
Brush & docks: hover the bait above cover — let fish come to it.
Basin schools: use the 2" size for visibility and controlled fall.
Current seams: let it pendulum and glide like real forage.

Color & visibility

Subtle first, contrast when needed.

Clear water: natural/translucent baitfish and subtle flake.
Stained: stronger silhouette or a small visibility accent.
Rule: if you can’t see your bait at all, fish probably can’t either — add contrast before adding size.

Gilleys FAQ

Quick fixes for common situations.

Getting pecked but not hooked? Downsize to 1.5" and shorten pauses (more hover, less travel).
Seeing crappie on sonar but no bites? Hold a specific depth with a float or light drop-shot.
Too many tiny fish? Step up a size to filter bites without changing the basic look.