I have heard a lot of people talking about jigging with a variety of jig types and sizes, however, in all of my fishing experience, I have never really had a lot of luck fishing with these (except when icefishing). I was under the impression that they needed to be bounced off the bottom, but some weights arn't heavy enough to get to the bottom. I want to go to the berry this weekend and I would like to try my luck with jigging from the shore and I want to know the best method.
[signature]
Jigs are one of the most effective lures on the market. They can represent baitfish, crawfish, insects, an irritation, any number of things to the fish depending on how you fish with it. You want to have a variety of jig body styles in marabou, plastic and fur. Jig heads are used per the situation. If the fish are high in the water profile fish a lighter jig so you don't sink too far and if the fish are deep go as heavy as you need to get to the fish. Use as light a jig as you can get away with, it will improve your feel and improve the way the fish takes the bait. One more thing, method. You can fish them without pumping your rod or with little hops or big hops, fast or slow, let the fish tell you what they want. This is simplistic information on the subject but it will get you started.
[signature]
you might also want to pm Tube dude. He is one of the biggest jig fanatics out there and probably knows more about fishing jigs than anyone I know,
jed Burton
[signature]
Like Fishnate says, let the fish tell you what they want. I start off with a faster swimming action. well first, I start with the drop let it sink to the bottom. start reeling fast enough to just keep it off the bottom within a foot. after a while with no bites I slow down and let the jig hit bottom if still nothing I slow down even more and after slow down to just a very slow crawl. hope this helps later chuck
[signature]
what about the fish that are suspended, how do you present the jig? I like you have just presented it on the bottom, but I have a feeling that there are other ways of presentation.
[signature]
I've never tried this but I have heard of some success with it. The person I talked to puts on whatever jigs he uses for ice fishing on a leader, the length of the leader changes depending on whether he finds fish or not, then he drops the jig straight down below a bubble that he can see on top of the water. The wave action does the jigging and he slowly pulls it towards himself every so often. You have to make sure you match the bubble size to how much weight you have on your jig. I don't know for sure what jigs he used but he said it worked great. I think he at times had a leader of up to five or six feet long below the bubble.
Give it a try, if it works let us know.
A question I have of my own on jigging is how do you keep from snagging things on the bottom when you are bottom bouncing? I hate losing jig after jig on bottom stuff.
[signature]
On stanging, you might have to get weedless hooks with the little wire to solve the problem. You might also want to change the plastic to cover the hook end. You might also want to use different techniques with the rod tip moving up and down. When I know of a underwater structure, and I am fishing with lures, I will keep my rod tip down, and then raise it quickly and reel faster.
[signature]
Search the pro's sites and you'll find countless articles on how to properly present a jig.
You could also ask TubeDude and save countless hours on search engines. He's been through countless hours of fishing Utah and many other states waters. The advice is good, sound, and priceless.
[signature]
[cool][blue][size 1]Hey Fisher-Man, you have asked a key question that has a lot of variables. The first biggy is what species are you fishing for? Secondly, why are they suspending? Some species traditionally suspend at the depth where the temperature, oxygen and food sources are best. Others suspend when they are in a negative or neutral mode and are not feeding.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]If you see fish on your sonar at 15 feet, in deeper water, you can use the "count down" method to reach them and keep the jig in the "zone" Cast a decent distance out, with as light a head as you can get by with. A slow sink is best. Figure that in most cases the jig is going to sink about a foot per second...more or less. Takes some experimentation. At any rate, watch your line and keep a finger on it too. As you are counting, get ready as you approach 15 seconds. If the fish are active, you may get a "pop on the drop". If not, then start reeling slowly enough to keep the jig in the right depth. This is especially effective for suspending trout, kokes and crappies.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]Sometimes you have to stop the jig short of the suspended fish and reel over their heads. Fish will usually rise to take bait or lure better than they will something below them...unless they are foraging on the bottom and looking down for their dinner.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]If the fish are neutral or inactive, you have to do something to trigger a reaction bite. Use something with flash and vibration, like a Roadrunner jig (with a spinner blade). Make the longest cast you can, with a heavier head...to get down fast. You want it to go to the bottom this time. When it touches down, then crank it up through the water column at an angle, to insure you are in fish country as long as possible. [/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]This latter technique works well for trout and suspended bass. It is especially effective on members of the striper, white bass and wiper clan. They are notorius feeding heavily during short periods and then "dogging it" the rest of the day. If you "burn" a noisy crankbait, spinner or jig right up through them, it often produces the old "cat and mouse" response.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]One tip when fishing reluctant fish like that. Do not set the hook on every bump. Somtimes the fish will swim behind the lure and bump it several times before climbing on. If you keep reeling, with your wrist cocked, wait until you feel weight...or a more solid take.[/size][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][size 1]A couple of years ago, Kent Jasperson asked me a simple question..."How do I fish jigs?" In my usual style, it took me about 55 pages to answer him. I am attaching it at the bottom for anyone masochistic enough to want to wade through it.[/size][/#0000ff]
[signature]
Get your PJ's on before you start a readin tube dudes "biography"[
] Better yet save it for when you may be sufferin from a bout of insomnia, this will definately cure you. By far a better alternative than counting sheep [sly].
[signature]
I was fortunate enough to see his documentations live. It was up to me to record his advice in my head so that I could pass it on to my son.[cool]
[signature]
Thanks TubeDude. From now on during my countless hours of fish-free fishing, I have something to read besides the proclamation! Thanks for the info - you're a huge credit to this site.
[signature]
[cool][blue][size 1]Thanks hashbaz. Hopefully you have fewer hours of fishless casting. But then again, fishless fishing is always better than no fishing at all. As our good friend Coot tells us, fishing is not just about fishing.[/size][/blue]
[#0000ff][size 1]One word of advice, do not operate heavy equipnent while reading my stuff. May cause drowsiness.[/size][/#0000ff]
[signature]
>>[size 1][#0000ff]As our good friend Coot tells us, fishing is not just about fishing.[/#0000ff] [/size]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.[/size][/font]
--Henry David Thoreau
[size 1]TubeN2>> You could also ask TubeDude and save countless hours on search engines.[/size]
[size 1]I don't think Tube would be insulted if anyone wanted to read Ted Takasaki, Mike Gofron, Keith Kavajecz, Gary Parsons, Gary Gray, etc. Here's one example of many...[/size]
[url "http://www.walleyecentral.com/takasaki/better_jigging.shtml"]http://www.walleyecentral.com/takasaki/better_jigging.shtml[/url]
[
] I don't think he would be insulted either. The advice is there for the taking or leaving. We all learn from each other and it makes all of us better anglers in the long run.[cool]
[signature]