The 4" MinR 2.0: Your Secret Weapon for Summer Smallmouth and Walleye

When most anglers think finesse minnow, they think walleye. And they're not wrong, the 4" MinR 2.0 has been quietly destroying walleye on the Detroit River, St. Clair River, and Great Lakes systems for years. But if you haven't thrown it at summer smallmouth yet, you're leaving fish in the water.

Why the MinR Works

The MinR 2.0 is built around one principle: natural movement. Its streamlined body and soft forked tail push water in a way that triggers reaction strikes from fish that have seen every bait in the tackle shop. At 4 inches, it sits in a sweet spot, big enough to attract predators, small enough to match the smaller baitfish that both walleye and smallmouth are keying on through the summer months.

Walleye: The Classic Application

On the walleye front, the MinR shines in clear water and pressured fisheries where fish are finicky. Rig it on a jig head and slow-roll it along the bottom, or drop shot it off deep structure when fish are suspended and reluctant to commit. Colours like Emerald Shiner, Great Lakes Shiner, and Arkansas Shiner are proven producers when walleye are feeding on natural baitfish. For stained water or low-light conditions, Chartreuse Glimmer and Electric Shad are hard to beat.

Summer Smallmouth: The Sleeper Application

Here's where the MinR really surprises people. Summer smallmouth, especially in rivers and rocky lake structure, are aggressive, opportunistic feeders. They're chasing gobies, shiners, and small perch, and the MinR matches that profile perfectly.

The key with smallmouth is to vary your retrieve. A steady swim retrieve works, but don't be afraid to add a pause-and-fall, that's often when the bite happens. Houdini, Ghost Shad, Tennessee Shad, Electric Shad and Wakasagi are go-to colours for smallmouth, particularly in Great Lakes tributaries and rocky river systems.

How to Rig It

The MinR 2.0 is one of the most versatile soft plastics in your box:

• Jig head — the most common setup. Use 1/8 to 3/8 oz depending on depth and current.
• Drop shot — deadly for suspended walleye and finicky smallmouth in clear water.
• Hover rig — suspend the MinR in the strike zone for an irresistible dying baitfish presentation, perfect for pressured fish.
• Carolina rig — cover water efficiently and let the bait's natural action do the work.

Pro Tip

Slow down. Seriously. The MinR's tail action is most effective at a slower retrieve speed. Let it breathe, let it fall, and trust the bait. The fish will find it.

The 4" MinR 2.0 is available in 56 colours at $6.99 CAD per pack of 10. Shop the MinR 2.0 →