Jackson Athlete+ 16FVG Monster Edition: A 160 mm Surf Minnow for Trophy Fish

Every surf angler dreams of a true monster: a metre-class Japanese meagre (oonibe), a “zabuton” (cushion-sized) flounder, or a buri-class yellowtail. Jackson has built a minnow aimed only at those fish — the Athlete+ 16FVG Monster Edition, a 160 mm addition to the popular Athlete+ series.

Specs

What is the Athlete+?

The Athlete+ is an upgraded version of Jackson’s classic Athlete minnow, with three additions: a Vortex Generator (small ridges under the lip that calm air turbulence for stable, long casts), a flat-sided design that flashes hard on every wobble and roll, and a taller body for more presence. “FVG” means Floating + Vortex Generator; the 16FVG is the biggest in the range.

Key features

1. Long casts with tungsten weight transfer. Big minnows are hard to throw far, but monsters often sit “just ten metres further out”.
2. Stable into the wind thanks to the Vortex Generator — important on windy winter beaches.
3. Speed-variable action: a lazy, water-pushing “wobble” at dead-slow, a wobble-and-roll at slow speed, and a steady roll from medium speed up. Big fish tend to eat weak, slow prey — the dead-slow action is the key.
4. No through-wire on purpose. A wire would fix the balance and kill the slow action, so Jackson instead reinforced the eyes and body.
5. BKK Fangs-63UA #1/0 trebles as standard.

Colours

Four of six colours are glow or UV — clearly aimed at the low-light windows when monsters move. My first pick is Ginrin Iwashi, then Appeal Konoshiro.

How to fish it

• Dead-slow retrieve to let big fish look at it.
• Slow to medium straight retrieve to cover water.
• Drift it in current at river mouths.

Target rip currents, drop-offs and current lines on beaches, and seams at river mouths. Monsters are few, so focus on dawn, dusk and night, and keep casting.

Suggested tackle

How it compares

Use the 14FVG for everyday flounder and seabass, and switch to the 16FVG when there are signs of big meagre, zabuton flounder or large pelagics. The Nessa Nina is a flounder all-rounder for numbers; the 16FVG is about one big fish.

Minagiman’s take

Most days on the surf you catch nothing. That is exactly why the lure you tie on matters when the big one does come. The 16FVG filters out small fish with its size and shows monsters a slow, weak-looking target — trading numbers for size. At 160 mm and 39 g it is tiring to throw all day, so I would search with smaller minnows and tie this on for the prime dawn or dusk window.

Read next

• Shimano Nessa Nina 120S
• Best lures for Japanese flounder
• Japanese yellowtail surf season
• Drag setting guide

MINAGIMAN

JAPAN ANGLER

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Born in 1994. Originally from Hyogo Prefecture, I moved to Iwata City in Shizuoka Prefecture in search of the sea. I am an Enshunada surf angler who enjoys surf fishing. I am also active on YouTube, and my fishing grounds range from Irago to Iwata.