Jig Fishing

[Capin' Dan]

Well one of my goals this year was to finally catch a steelhead on a jig. It turned out to be fairly easy. Using a nightmare jig and bobber.
I caught one on my second cast and one on about my 7th or 8th cast. 15 minutes and done. I'll probably never have that type of trip again. River is zipperlipped for now but a lot of people know about it because there are tons of people there. If you have been putting it off try them they do work and are a no brainer.

[FISHRUS]

Way to go, Capin, Dan! I been trying to get a hold of you, for a trip to do some winter steelhead. Give us a call to arrange for a trip soon. :grin:

[Mr. Fisherman]

Wow Dan!'

Maybe even I can catch one with a jig! :shocked:

You need to come and get your presents....

Give me a call,

Ray

[Hummingbird]

Hey Ray,
Good going on getting your first Steely. I want to go out this Thursday to try again. Did you catch yours using a jig? if so what color and size? I still have a bunch I bought from Mark at First cast Jigs. So far ,I am skunked. Must be my presentation. I can't seem to get the bobber to stay where i want it.Practice ,Practice ,Practice.
Any way, Have a Merry Christmas. Hopefully I will get off the Bank one of these times out. Tom :wink:

[24 on/ 48 off]

Kilchis river. March. Bobber and jig fishin'. Yeah!

--spud-- :smile:

[Hummingbird]

Thanks for the Heads up Spud,
Is there any particular hole? I have never fished the Kilchis. Thanks again!!! Tom :smile: :cool:

[Hummingbird]

Reel Funny RickH,
I have n idea what tree etc as I have not been up there but once to Jennies fishstock party. Sorry not to see any of you Ridgefeild boys up there. :grin: . How's things goin over at Aloha? I talked to Kao for a minute or 2 a couple weeks ago.Sounds like he's stating to get into some serious fishing as well. Must be real nice to get out all the time.
My day is coming when I get my first one then ,I 'll be hooked probably and who know's ,someday I may even buy a boat. Well nice to hear from you all joking aside ,Merry Christmas to You and Yours, Tom :cool:

[bait boy]

Thats not who you think it is Tom.

[FM2]

Jig fishing is in, so are worms, plugs, birdies, corkies, sand shrimp, eggs, and zipper lips.

Luv winter fishing !! :grin: :grin: :grin:

[Snapshot]

Way to go Dan. I can hardly wait for my first jig fish. As a matter of fact I can hardly wait to catch any fish. I here it is a different take down. Dis y9ou spray it with any of Marias bait scents? Any help will be appreciated. Also tired of all the hang ups on the rocks.
* Do you go out for the lower Columbia sturgeon trips?

Fish only bit Wet Hooks :wink:

[Jennie@ifish]

RichH, are you talking bout the same hole that is just past the two bushes on the right past the alder tree?
Jen

[Snapset]

I know the one! It has fast water at the top of the hole, a tailout and rocks on the bottom.
That one is just LOADED with fish at night.

[First Bite]

Way to go Dan. Jigs can be very effective as you have found out. If this current dry spell continues, jigs will perform even better as the water level lowers.

Mark

[RichH]

HB

The best hole is the one by the tree, you know that leans over the water. Its right across from the stump.
:wink: :grin:

[ 12-24-2001: Message edited by: RichH ]</p>

[Hummingbird]

baitboy,
Sorry bout that, I sure thought it was you then I remembered your monkier after I posted :blush:
Jennie , Is that the Alder tree with the big rock under it and the Hummingbird nests?
I sure don't like work on Holiday's .Can't wait to get down to 3 Rivers on Thurs.
I am wondering if I try my pink and white First Cast Jig with a pink worm on it would be a good Rig.
If that don't do the trick, I think I'll try some of Amermans Eggs that I still have a little of and if I run out , I will use my Cured eggs from RT's recipe with a Raibow Jig .
Who knows, I may end up just using a pink corky with some white yarn. It's fishing and enjoying the chance to be out in the great NW outdoors ,
Thanking God for everything!!!! I hope everyone has a Very Merry Christmas!!!!
What alder tree was that?? Tight :grin: Tight Lines :cool: Tom

[ampersat]

so, what sorts of goo is everyone putting on their jigs? in my experience, the only thing that doesn't matt the jig down is wd40. spray it on, then wiggle is back and forth to break up all the maribou strands. after that, it's like the wd40 becomes a water repellant keeping the strands separated. any other tips would be appreciated.

[Hummingbird]

Good point ampersat,
I have been using Marie Shrimp scent on my jigs and they DO get matted.I tried to cut back on the amount, but , the squirt bottle kinda wants to squirt every 3 times pushed down and them sprays off to the side or up your arm most times. I noticed also after using jigs sprayed with scent ,they harden up and you really have to wash them good.Now ,I just open the top and pour just a bit on the jig head. I don't know if this works because I still am searching for the elusive steelhead. :tongue:
Look at another thread on this board about scents. There is some really good discussion on this. Maybe if we Kidnapped RT the fish Gods might reward us with some Steel :grin: . Tight lines
Tom

[FM2]

What is the optimum jig fishing water? Should I fish the same water I would drift fish in or should I look for slower water?

I'm new at this but sure sounds productive. I purchased jigs from First Cast and am anxious to let the fish work them over. Any help would be appreciated!

[Tanner]

FM2,
The best Jig fishing water is wet river water. I catch them in 12 feet of water and catch them in 1 foot of water. Anywhere a steelhead would hold is good jig water. Fish them in current seams, fast riffly water, slow moving "frog" water, fast boulder strewn water, and classic driftfishing runs.

As far as putting oils on maribou jigs, dont. It will totally ruin the feathers. I very rarely ever put any scent on my jigs. If I do feel the need to scent them, I will smear some smelly jelly on my line right above the jig or maybe put a small shrimp tail right on the jig hook.

[24 on/ 48 off]

Personally, I like "pocket" water. You know, those little pockets behind/alongside boulders which there isn't enough room to get a decent drift. You can toss a jig, and get 10'-15' of good water beforwe you have to reel in.

Those are my usual productive spots.

--spud-- :smile:

[Trick]

Last year I tried jigs on the Wilson and didn't get a hit. Used them on the Necanicum the same day and didn't get a thing. Tossed a Buds spinner and nailed an 18lb native buck. Didn't use jigs the rest of the season. First time out this year yesterday. Missed a steelhead on a plug. Switched to a jig and nothing. Drifted eggs and nailed a nice liitle buck and missed another bait-******* a couple casts later.....I'm losing faith fast.

Maybe I need to rub up against Dan for good luck....but they'd probally arrest me for it??? :whazzup:


Tanner, you say all wet water is good...I'm starting to think the opposite. I need to hook up with some of you experienced jig-masters to show a jig-rookie the ropes. Any takers?


Jennie, what gives??? The word munch-er, without the - is blocked. This isn't a naughty word is it?

[ 12-26-2001: Message edited by: Trick ]</p>

[Fish Hunter]

Dan won't mind, especially if you got a hunting spot to share. :wink: :tongue: Huh Dan.

Seems like I've only had success with jigs in slower water. This water is tough to fish with other methods, so I jig fish it. I find it tough to jig fish all day unless it's a specific bank situation. I would rather drift fish. Could I be missing out? I could give it a better try.

[ 12-26-2001: Message edited by: Fish Hunter ]</p>

[FM2]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>The best Jig fishing water is wet river water <hr></blockquote>

Tanner, that borderlines on profound but I don't quite think I can give you that one :smile: :grin: Thanks for the tip.

Maybe if everyone that wants to jig fish chip in a couple of bucks, Mark from First Cast could put on a class teaching jig fishing. I know he did this at the fishing sale but I could not make it and sure have a lot of questions about this type of steelie fishing. This won't effect your 501C tax status will it Mark!, j/k.

I personally like the idea of jigs because now I carry a drift fishing setup, plug setup, diver setup (when nates are not present) and now a jig setup. Can't have to many rods in a boat :cool:

[ 12-27-2001: Message edited by: FM2 ]</p>

[DanS]

Slower water is definitely easier to fish with a float/jig setup, unless you're in a boat. There's not as much mending involved, and it's easier to get a good dead drift. Of course, not all the good water is slow, so you are going to be fishing water that isn't ideal float water, just like you'd fish water with drift gear that isn't ideal for drift gear.

I've found that you can find a good piece of float water in just about any stretch or hole by looking for seams, current breaks, and pockets and fishing THEM effectively. Your jig might be in the good location for just a second or so, but it's long enough to entice a fish. You don't always need to make a long, smooth drift to work a jig effectively.

Some days, the fish just aren't tuned in to the jigs very well. I've found those days to be few and far between. Jigs are best in lower, clearer water than they are in higher colored water, but you never know. I fished on the OP a few weeks ago in water with not more than 18" of visibilty and between my partner and me hooked 23 steelhead, 22 of them on 1/8 oz cerise jigs. It's hard to argue with numbers like that, although the guys who knew how to drift bait effectively were also hooking many fish.

If you're not confident in your method, whether it's jigs/spinners/drift gear/etc., you aren't going to fish as effectively as you should. Sure, a beginner jig angler can catch fish, but not nearly as many as somebody who has fished them a long time and learned little tricks and what kind of water favors jigs over other methods. It's a learning process, but the learning curve isn't as steep when you're float fishing because of the visual aspect of it.

I guess jig fishing is just another method. Nick Amato loves them, Herzog hates them. :grin: I like them more the more I fish them. There are days when you might leave the jigs at home......but when the water gets low and clear, a jig can be a very effective weapon. :cool:

[HT Buzzo]

Fished the Central Coast today and hooked my first jig steelhead, then caught two more with the same jig in the next three hours. Released a 26 inch buck, but kept a 29 inch hen and a 31 inch buck, on a pink first cast jig, 1/8 oz. body. Thanks Mark.

[First Bite]

In normal water flows I like to jig fish where the float is moving at a steady pace that is equal to a slow walk. When you come to a classic drift that has fast water at the head of the drift, I'll pitch my jig right on the edge of the current. Another good place is at the end of the riffles where the water starts to smooth out. In this case I'll toss my jig into the riffles and by the time it gets down to the bottom I'll be at the smoother water. Don't overlook tailouts too. Especially where there is water from 3-8 feet deep. For the most part I'll fish all the water except the fastest boiling section.

When the water level drops considerably, then target the riffle water that has cover to it. Steelhead will be holding in water that they feel safe in.

When the water is really low and clear (my favorite) jigs will be at their best. Fish all the water from the riffles to the tailout. Again, fish will be holding in water that has cover.

I like using scent on my jigs. Is it necessary? Definetly not but I like to put a drop of oil based scent on the jig head itself in case I have some kind of smell on my hands that the fish doesn't like. I've found that scent doesn't bother my jigs at all. I've pulled a dried up scent soaked jig out of my vest and once its in the water, they fluff right back out. A lot of times I'll tip the jig with a sand shrimp tail and apply scent to the shrimp. If the scent gets on the jig feathers, it doesn't bother them. My jigs are made with schlappen and hackle feathers and they are different from marabou. Years ago when I fished marabou jigs I noticed that they seem to clump up when soaked with scent.

HT Buzzo, way to go on the steelies bud. Pink jigs are hard to beat.

Mark

[Jennie@ifish]

Has anyone ever fished jigs just 2 feet deep no matter what the depth of water?
I have heard that one local guide, who does very well, always sets his jigs at 2 feet, period.
???
Jigs have changed my whole thinking on steelhead feeding behavior!
Jen

[DanS]

Why would you do that? That's like using a 20" leader no matter what. Sure, you can catch fish if you ONLY fish 20" leaders, but why not lengthen/shorten your leader according to the water and catch MORE fish? Any angler that gets set on some hard and fast rule and doesn't change is NOT fishing as well as they could.

[rags]

I haven't heard the "two feet" theory. I try to adjust my jig to the depth of the water starting shallow and going deeper. First Cast today "fish on!" Isn't there a jig company by that name?

[Sliderite]

I would like to put forth a question about jig head and corresponding hook size.
When do you switch from a 1/4 oz to a 1/8 oz jig?
What size hooks do you prefer with each weight? Are 1/0 hooks best with 1/4oz and 1 with 1/8? I want to get into the Jig thing and order from Mark but I don't know which to order as far as hook size. Are cork bobbers the best?
Please enlighten me!

[First Bite]

sliderite
I'll use 1/4th oz jigs all winter long even when the water drops and clears. As a personal preference I like using the 2/0 hook with the 1/4th oz jigs. The 1/0 hook would work just as good too. With 1/8th oz jigs I'll use the size 1 or 1/0 hook.

I like using round corks for a couple of reasons. First I like the amount of weight they have as it makes casting long distances easier. Also I try and have the most natural presentation possible and when using corks I can mend my line and not effect the jig. There are a ton of floats that all work equally good. It's a matter of personal preference. Another good float is the Thill Premium Steelheader float.

Mark

[Thumper]

Sliderite --- We all seem to do it differently. I prefer a sliding jig and a lot of weight below a fairly large bobber for most conditions. Mark and others use fixed small cork bobbers, little weight, etc. That's the fun of it. Trust Mark to pick out the best size for your application.