Here’s a quick and simple tip from Team TTF member Jason Bryant that could help you catch more fish with the BIG MINO.

When the reds are in thick grass or over gnarly shell, I like to use the BIG MINO on spinning tackle with one of our 5/0 weightless Weedkiller hooks. The size and density of the BIG MINO give it a lot of buoyancy, and a super-slow fall rate. With the weightless hook, you can cast the BIG MINO out and reel it slowly on a steady retrieve right near the surface. The tail kicks like crazy, and you can actually use it like a wake bait. I used this technique recently for schooling redfish that were concentrated over shell beds. If you’re jighead hit the bottom, you’d get hung in the shell and spook the school. So, I switched to the BIG MINO on the weightless Weedkiller and reeled it over the top of the schools. The redfish absolutely hammered it! Another advantage to rigging this way is that it’s a quiet and subtle presentation. It works on skittish fish really well. Give it a try!

And just for reference, here’s the exact setup I used for this technique:
Rod: 7’, medium-action TTF Red Tamer spinning rod #LSSS701MS (7’6” rods work well, too, but I wouldn’t go with anything less than 7’)
Reel: Shimano Stradic
Line: 50-pound Power Pro braided line
Leader: 3 feet of 30-pound Seaguar Invizx fluorocarbon tied with a uni-to-uni knot
Hook: TTF Texas Weedkiller weightless hook, 5/0
Bait: TTF KFMXL (color: mumpy glo)