Bobber and Jig - Depth ?

Up-4-Air · 12-09-2003, 07:48 PM

Tried fishing a bobber and jig for winter steelhead today. No luck.

What I would like to know is how to fix the depth using a sliding bobber rig? In the first place I have a hard time estimating the depth of the water. Secondly, I'm not sure how close to the bottom the jig should be set. Sometimes it's easy to see the jig or the additional piece of lead I use above the jig is dragging but most of the time it's isn't. Seems like for any given spot on the river you could spend a lot of time trying to guess the water depth and then setting the jig depth. What do you guys do? :whazzup:

santiamslayer · 12-09-2003, 07:54 PM

I have found that if you keep the jig about a foot to a foot and a half off of the bottom that works pretty well. Also, i have had fish come up off of the bottom a long ways to take them. I would say just get kinda close and definantly keep the jig off the bottom.

Silver Hilton · 12-09-2003, 08:01 PM

I like to keep it at least a foot off the bottom. In the summer, I've had them come at least three feet up for it.

SHOUGALNITE · 12-09-2003, 08:08 PM

at least 2 feet off the bottom.

First Bite · 12-09-2003, 08:51 PM

Up-4-Air

Use a bobber stop on a sliding set-up to adjust your depth.

If you're unsure of the depth of the water you want to fish, make your best guess and run your jig thru several feet shallower then it looks. If you don't get any takes gradually increase the depth you're fishing a foot at a time and eventually you'll either hit bottom or a fish. If you hit bottom then shallow up a foot or so and you'll be in the zone..

Mark

ampersat · 12-10-2003, 05:33 AM

The best advice I got on this was to get your jig in the bottom third of the water column. That is to say, if the run is six feet deep, run your jig at four feet.

As for figuring depth, start a foot or two shallower than you think the run is. If you can make a pass through the run without hitting bottom, add a foot to your depth and run it again. The first time you hit bottom, reel in and make your adjustment. I went through a lot of jigs trying to "find the bottom" and will probably continue to do so. Jig fishing through a run will require that you change depth a lot. Be prepared to adjust often.

Dave Vedder · 12-10-2003, 06:50 AM

I recommend a fixed float because it is very easy to adjust, gets to the strike zone faster and uses less gear. But slip floats are fine too.

I only fish jigs in relatively clean water i.e. at least two feet of vis. As the other, say find bottom by trial and error then fish about 1 1/2 to three feet above bottom. Yes you will lose gear!

I noticed that said you tried jigs one day and were disappointed. Have you ever fished all day with your favorite bait and lure and been skunked?

Many of us only try a "new" lure when to old standby isn't working. Not really a fair test. Keep fishing the jig and you will catch fish. But there are no magic bullets. You need to put in your time to learn all you can about the technique. And you will have some skunks.

Waterhouse · 12-10-2003, 06:58 AM

My Preferred method of setting up for jig fishing is to start by putting a bobber knot on my main line then a bobber bead then a west coast float ( I prefer a 1/2 oz for winter fishing) then another bobber bead and then another bobber knot. then I tie my main line to a zep weight ( 3/8 oz )Then I would tie on a 18" leader to my jig ( 1/8 oz ) By using the double bobber knot system both top and bottom of my float it allows me to fish a sliding float system or a fixed float system on the same rig by sliding the two knots together. also I keep the bobber knot that is closest to my zep wet about a inch above the zep weight this keeps my operating expences down because I rarely loose a float.

Fshklr · 12-10-2003, 06:58 AM

To locate the bottom cheaply instead of using a jig on terminal end I apply about 1" of hollow pencil lead to the end and crimp it. Once I find the desired depth I just cut it off and tie on the jig approx 1 foot up from where the pencil lead was.If it snags it will easy pull off to re-adjust with another piece until the desired depth is achieved.
I also use a split shot below slip bobber so If I break off my jig I can retrieve the bobber too and it aids in getting my jig down quicker.

[ 12-10-2003, 07:59 AM: Message edited by: Fshklr ]

DanS · 12-10-2003, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Many of us only try a "new" lure when to old standby isn't working. Not really a fair test.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Isn't that the truth. Guys will drift fish for a few hours, not hook anything, and then think to themselves "I should try a float and jig" It might work, but there's also a chance that there just aren't any biters present. You shouldn't hold that against the FnJ setup.

As for setting your depth........just start shallow, plenty shallow. Add 6 inches of depth before your next cast. That way, by the time you wind up dragging bottom, you've already covered the majority of the water column. No need to drag bottom if there's a fish there willing to rise up a few feet to grab your jig.

Good luck.

Up-4-Air · 12-10-2003, 07:51 AM

Thanks guys. Great suggestions. Like so many other things, experience will make it easier. I'll try adding a stopper knot or split shot below the bobber. No point watching the bobber float away if the main line breaks.

A second question is do you add bait or scent to your jigs? I would think that scent could mat down the feathers. I added a very small piece of shrimp wrapped in a fine mesh and tied with elastic string. Got the shrimp at the seafood counter at Safeway. Thought it might convince a wary fish to take a bite. I'm still working on finding a wary fish. :smile:

Slayer · 12-10-2003, 09:38 AM

To catch fish, you need to take your neighbors out in your boat first. This is the only real way to insure success :grin:

[ 12-10-2003, 10:39 AM: Message edited by: Slayer ]

Hooker · 12-10-2003, 09:54 AM

Great tip Fshklr. I'll be sure to give it a try this winter.

Tanner · 12-10-2003, 10:06 AM

I totally agree with Dave Vedder on this. I always use a fixed float. This way there is a lot less tackle to deal with rigging. Attach the float and tie on the jig and you are done. I usually estimate the water depth and set my float for that depth. As soon as I see it is touching bottom I real it in quickly and move the bobber down 6" - 1 foot.

slabhunter · 12-10-2003, 10:57 AM

I use float and jig to target certain pockets or current seams. When searching for steelhead my jig will only be three to five feet down. It is better to fish just above the level you believe they are. And yes, bait or scent works at times. Be careful not to get it on the feathers at the tail of your jig to avoid ruining the lifelike action. Also, it sometimes pays off to hold back the gear ever-so slightly as this allows the hook to be in a better position when you draw a stike. Good fishing!