ZIPBAITS Rigge 56

The ZIPBAITS Rigge 56 is a minnow from the Japanese maker ZIPBAITS, designed for active river fishing: you read the current, cast, and use rod work, retrieve speed and line slack to steer the lure exactly to where the fish are holding.

Its irregular action and strong flashes make the lure easy for fish to notice despite its small size. According to the maker, the floating 56F in particular stands out for its appeal among floating minnows, and both models cast far and accurately. Both have the ZIPBAITS Mag Drive system: a magnetic weight that shifts to the back during the cast so the lure flies further.

Key features (manufacturer data):

• 56F: 56 mm, 2.8 g, floating, dives 0.5–1.0 m
• 56S: 56 mm, 3.6 g, sinking, dives 0.5–1.0 m
• Treble hooks #12, split rings #1

What it is for and what tackle to use

• Fish: trout and sea trout, chub, perch; in rivers also asp when they chase small baitfish.
• Where to fish: river riffles, pools behind rocks and the edges of the current. 56F for shallow spots and slower current, 56S for faster current and deeper water.
• Rod: a light spinning rod with a casting weight of about 1–7 g.
• Line: 0.06–0.10 mm braided line with a 0.16–0.20 mm fluorocarbon leader, or 0.16–0.20 mm monofilament.
• Retrieve: short twitches of the rod tip with pauses, retrieving downstream and against the current.
• In pike waters: use a wire leader.

The rod and line recommendations are a guide: they help you choose, but you can also fish with similar tackle you already own.