Cotee
Crankin' JigLip Minnow Specifications |
Material |
Non-Lead
jig head (Cotee Alloy 82), plastic body |
Colors |
6 available |
Weight (jig head) |
1/4 oz |
Length (body only) |
4
inches |
Package |
1
jig head and 3 bodies |
MSRP |
$2.90 |
Impressions: The jig head is molded out of a non-lead
alloy in
a fashion that resembles a lip on a basic crankbait. This jig head can be
attached to various soft bodies or even spider jigs and swimming grubs. The jig head also has an indentation that
allows Cotee to affix a red eye for more realism.

The Crankin' JigLip Minnow is an
unique jig head design that bears a crankbait-like lip
The minnow body that comes with the jighead is
composed of soft plastic and mimics a real
bait fish with a realistically proportioned body, fins, and tail. A silver body with a black back,
the Cotee minnow is attractive in appearance but lacks flexible appendages and
cannot produce any
tail whipping action.
Complete Rig
for Crankin' JigLip Tests |
Rod |
St.
Croix Legend Elite |
Reel |
Quantum Energy PTi (E20PTi) |
Line |
8
lb. Trilene XL |
Real
World Tests: The JigLip's ability to affix to many
different types of plastics permit the use of the Crankin' JigLip for fishing a
number of species, but the main target of our tests aimed towards largemouth
bass.

The JigLip easily rigs onto the
minnow and can be tossed just about anywhere bass is holding
Casting: Tossing a 1/4 ounce jig head plus the weight of the
plastic on spinning gear was straightforward. The JigLip Minnow casts
effortlessly and can
be placed accurately on specific targets. With this size and design the
lure can be flipped, pitched, and can be thrown in just about anyway you can
think of. But cast distance does depends on what you're casting.
In my case I tested the JigLip with the Minnows that were included in the
package. The ability to attach
other plastics and even live bait onto the JigLip gave me the chance to try the
JigLip design rather than the minnow combo. When rigged with a small
swimbait, swimming grub, plastic worm, and even a night crawler, the jig head
still delivered pleasant results in the casting category.
Retrieve and Technique: "Crank-it, Jig-it,
Jerk-it" is what Cotee advertises the JigLip Minnow can be used for and that's exactly
what we tried. First crank-it. Simply toss the JigLip and begin to
retrieve. One might expect some of the wobble action of a crankbait,
but that's simply not the case with this lure. The side to side movement is minimal and the
minnow doesn't swim with a tail kicking motion.

This jig head delivers multiple
actions when applying different techniques
The next two methods to work the lure is what I
recommend. Jigging the Cotee Crankin' JigLip Minnow is an effective way to
catch fish. While the lip of the jig head didn't provide a crankbait
like wobble, it does churn out a spiraling action when properly jigged. After being tossed or flipped around structure the JigLip corkscrews
its way down and at any minute be prepared to set the hook as bass view the
spiraling bait as an injured baitfish.
When ripped the Cotee
Crankin' JigLip Minnow darts erratically side to side enticing reaction bites
from largemouth bass. This technique can also be blended with the falling spiral action. Rip it a few times, then allow the JigLip to free fall. The majority
of our strikes of the time during the transition from being jerked to the diving motion will
bring the strikes.

Corkscrewing into the middle of
downed trees tempted this largemouth bass to strike
Durability: As
we have seen in the past, jig heads do take damage especially when fished around structure
or jigged at the bottom. The good thing is that most jig heads are made
out of a durable metal like lead or other metals that will dent but will still be affective many
times after. The same is true with the Cotee JigLip design. The jig head did
take a few bumps and bruises after being fished but there was no damage to the eyes
as they are embedded into the head. While the damage to the jig head didn't
affect performance greatly, it did interfere with jigging. Although the spiral motion can be executed after
damage, the movement wasn't as smooth as before. The shift in action can sometimes trigger fish
to bite or the lure would run awkwardly and not attract any interest at all.
The durability of the plastic minnow is average and can pick up many bass before
it needs replacing.
Ratings:
Cotee
Crankin' JigLip Ratings (?/10) |
Construction/Quality |
Uses decent materials and an average durability that will go through many
largemouth bass |
8 |
Performance |
A
versatile jig head that does well when jigged and ripped but lack
attractiveness and action when being retrieved |
7.8 |
Price |
Priced just a small amount over competition, but you're getting a product
that no one else offers |
7.5 |
Features |
A
jig head with an added lip, red eyes, and the ability to be rigged with
almost any type of plastics and even live bait |
8 |
Design
(Ergonomics) |
A
design that provides different actions but we wish it would wobble like a
crankbait too |
7.5 |
Application |
Tested for bass fishing but can be used to multiple species due to
the jig head's ability to take on any type of plastic |
8 |
Total Score |
7.8 |
Pluses and Minuses:
Plus
Minus |
J
Unique jig head design |
L
Doesn't wobble like a crankbait |
J
Rigged with any plastics |
L
Lip can be deformed affecting performance |
J
Diving corkscrew action |
|
Conclusion: Bass fishing using jig heads is probably one of
the most versatile techniques available to anglers. You can flip, pitch, swim, and even
finesse the JigLip at the bottom of lakes. With so many different types of
jigheads available today, few are as unique as the Cotee Crankin' JigLip. The JigLip can be rigged with many type of plastics and performs the best when being
ripped or jigged. Swim it with a grub, dart it side to side with a minnow
or jerkbait, or allow the JigLip to take the plastic on a roller coaster
corkscrew ride down through your targeted strike zone. If jig heads are your game, then
include this innovative jig head design into your arsenal of unique lethal bassin'
tools.
