Diss'in Jiggin

[Smily]

I have been stealheading for quite a few years and have not been all that successful. Yes, I caught a fish hear and there but not with Jigs yet. I think I give all methods a try equally. I still like to run divers and bait and run plugs out as well. I have caught fish that way, But when it comes to Jigs I have no clue. I have been with a friend one time when I watched him hook a fish but lose it because of the way he tied the bobber on. That was my only expereince watching someone being successful at it. I thought I had duplicated what he did to no avail.

Not to Ruffle any feathers, Hoping to get some advise on how to be successful. Better yet first hand observation goes a lot further. Nothing better than hands on training. I have heard only by too many people it is a great way to catch fish. I would like to also. Fish, MMmmmmm=yummy for my tummy.

I'm not really Diss'n Jig'n. Just hasn't worked for me yet. :rolleyes:

Thanks in advance. :grin:

:smile: Smily :smile:

[FM2]

Corkies and drift fishing work the best Smily :tongue:

Bin trieyen ta tell ya! :grin: :grin:

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Watching the other guys do it and do it successfully, a lot of it goes into your presentation and rigging.

Don't make the mistakes I made last year by using a spring or tie float. I lost 2 big fish thanks to the line being restricted and broke at the float. I suggest a turbomaster float by thill.

Keep a nice perpendicular look to your float. Adjust accordingly. Fish it about a foot off the bottom or otherwise you will be going over a lot of fish. A nice long spinning rod and good spinning reel help, and remember to keep mending your line.

Keep it in the slower water.

these are things I have learned. Of course like you said, the best way is to stand next to someone who is doing it all the right way, and I have been fortunate enough to learn from these guys.

[Mad Mikey]

I HATE jig fishing but it can be very productive at times. If I have clients who can't drift or spinner fish, a jig and bobber has saved my butt many a time. I prefer a sliding set up but with people who have trouble mending line I use a fixed line between the jig and bobber. Tailouts on snaggy bottoms can be sweet, also look for them little spots especially in high water below gravel bars with a 3-5 ft. soft spot below them.


tight lines,

Mad Mikey

[wiser]

Jigs work but you need to learn what to look for and where/when to use them. Under the right circumstances they are deadly. The best thing you can use. Other times and places you might as well be fishing without a hook. I am a novice but when the water gets lower and clear I will start using them. Watch for others using them and "watch"...Watch what the conditions are, what kind of water is being fished and how the anglers are making the presentation. Pay close attention to anyone who hooks up. I've noticed a small percentage of the bobber/jig fishermen get a majority of the takedowns. They are doing something different. I wish I knew all the answers and could help more but I too am just learning this technique. I did land and release a native hen on the Sandy today, using a jig. I used a pink/purple 1/8 oz first cast jig fished about 30" under a fixed float. The water I was fishing was about six feet deep and was relatively slow moving. I saw fish rolling occasionally so I tried different techniques. I caught one on corkie and yarn, one on corkie and pink worm and a third on the jig.
Good luck

[ 01-18-2002: Message edited by: Wiser? ]</p>

[DanS]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Other times and places you might as well be fishing without a hook. <hr></blockquote>

There's some truth to that statement, but it's not as often as you might think. While low, clear water is a jig's best friend, they can also be effective in less than optimal water conditions. I fished a small river a few weeks ago that had not more than 18-20" of visibility. That day I landed double digits, with all but one fish hooked on an 1/8 oz jig. In dirty water, you need to adjust your presentation just like you would if you were drift fishing. Use a brighter color and fish the slow water closer to shore. You can be as effective as drift fishermen and even plunkers in dirty water if you make the right adjustments.

Keep after it. Nobody became an expert jig fisher overnight. Jig fishing ISN'T easy, just visual. To fish them effectively, you must spend time fishing them and learning to fine-tune your presentation. Fishing them at the same depth all the time is a mistake, you may catch fish but you won't catch as many as you could. Give it some time, though and you will se results. If you don't take the time to learn the fine-tuning, you might as well continue using your preferred method. Fish on...........

[RichH]

I find that the best way to get bit is to look away from your bobber. :wink: :rolleyes:

Seriously though, I think the best way to learn to fish jigs is to go with it being the only tactic you use for a couple of trips. Get out there with someone that has had success and watch closely how they hold the rod, where they set their bobber and such. My personal approach is to try to fish about a foot off the bottom as has already been mentioned though I know of successful jig fishermen that never fish more than three feet down, go figure.

Just don't give up on it cuz once it starts to work you'll be amazed how many fish you can catch that you might not otherwise.