Jig Fishing Question?? Braided or Mono....

William · 11-10-2002, 01:28 PM

Just had a beautiful 10'6, jig/float rod built for the upcoming winter steelhead season. What type of line should I use to get the best results? I do quite a bit of bobber fishing for chinook and I use power-pro. Most of my jig fising has been done with a 9' LCI spinning outfit and mono. I catch my share of fish, but feel I can do better. I know there are alot of you jig guys out there, so please help a fellow Ifisher out. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

ampersat · 11-10-2002, 04:09 PM

i asked mark from first cast jigs what he'd recommend for me and he said 20# power pro. so i spooled up my new jigging reel with it and headed out today. it's a lot like fly line. wind will pick it right up. thankfully i didn't have too much of a problem with wind today but i can foresee winter days on the sandy that are going to get a little interesting. i didn't even have to coat it and it floats. casts very well too. this was my first experience with no-stretch line and wow, it doesn't give a inch (free jig to anyone who can say where that "quote" is from

). i'd recommend it for jigging. no more mono for me. i've jig fished with mono for years and i'll never go back to it.

rags · 11-10-2002, 05:06 PM

I use the Power Pro on a few of my casting rods and it works good but for my jig rod I really like the Fire Line. If you live in the Portland area I would go see Gary at Great American Tackle in Oregon City. He can set you up with the right bobbers and in-line weights. Make sure you put mono backing on your reel if you go with the Fire Line.

11-10-2002, 05:27 PM

Mark is right on! We both started to experiment with braided line the winter before last but it was Mark that refined his whole set-up into what it is now and that's what I use. I like the #20 Power Pro with the mono leader also.

Uglygreen · 11-10-2002, 06:22 PM

Ampersat...

We finally agree on something!!!

I like the Berkley Fireline, but have never tried the power pro.

UG

First Bite · 11-10-2002, 08:02 PM

William

Power Pro works great for both spinning and bait casting reels. Twenty-pound Power Pro has the diameter of 6# line which makes it much easier to cast long distances. With this line you can drop down and use whatever leader size you want. For example if your rod is rated at 8-17 pound test. With Power Pro as your mainline you can use 8# test for summers or 17# test for low water salmon fishing and not have to worry about over stressing your rod. This line also floats which makes mending your line much easier.

Most spinning reels come with two spools. Use one spool for Power Pro and then use the other for mono. In low water applications, use mono and tie directly to the jig using a fixed float.

Mark

Dragfreedrift · 11-11-2002, 02:31 PM

I would agree with Mark. I have used both Power Pro and Fireline....with excellent results.

The real advantage of braided line comes when you have to maintain line control....its almost like fishing a floating fly line!

Half Canuck

Bankbound · 11-11-2002, 02:39 PM

Why does everyone say to use a fixed float for jig fishing? What are the advantages/disadvantages over a slip bobber?? If any. :whazzup:

MH

Smeagol · 11-11-2002, 03:15 PM

Since the cost difference between braided and mono isn't that different, is there any reason not to use braided? In what circumstances is mono preferred over braided?

husker · 11-11-2002, 03:35 PM

bankbound---i prefer a slip bobber while jig fishing.....providing that the jibb is heavy enough to sink
to the proper fishing depth....jigs in the 1/8 and 1/4 oz sizes sink way to slow for my blood......using the jigs notes i always use a fixed float.......

when using a slip bobber i get the 3/8 oz type to get a quick drop.....colors i prefer are black & red or purple & pink...sense these are the only colors i have caught fish on

Slow Roll · 11-11-2002, 03:41 PM

Bankbound,
Difference between slip and fixed depends a lot on the water you fish.
I fish fixed when I am in shallower water and slip when I am in 6' or more. Also depends on your casting distance. I can flip a 7'-8' fixed bobber rig quite aways but it ain't that easy in tight spaces. The farther I have to cast the more likely I am to use a slip rig.
I have found that with a fixed bobber my jig gets down quicker if I am trying to hit a tight slot. Don't have to wait for the line to slide through and hit the stop.
Quite a few variables involved but it all comes down to what you feel comfortable with.

Just my .02.

Paul B.

ampersat · 11-11-2002, 04:05 PM

one big reason to fish a fixed float is that when you mend your line on a slip bobber, you run the risk of directly affecting your jig. when you get that last six inches off the water and connect to the bobber, you're pulling the jig up slightly as well as holding it back in the current. with a fixed float, you might pull the float sideways slightly, but the affect on the jig is less.

that having been said, until recently i've only fished 1/4oz, only on a slip bobber, only on mono. i've also had limited success fishing jigs. i think in higher, colored-up water you can get away with 1/4oz on a slip float. in shallower gin-clear water, smaller is better and presentation is everything. i can't imagine throwing 3/4oz jigs, except maybe for nooks in tidewater.

by the way, another plus of running power pro for jigs is i can actually start fishing thill floats again and not have to think so much about watching them float off when i get hung up and have to break off. with a mono leader down to the jig, i get everything but the jig back when i have to break off.