At A Total Loss With Jigs!

[bigdub]

I am new to the jig fishing aspect of trout fishing, I have fly fished for years, but for some reason have had virtually no success jig fishing in this high water, or when it is off for that matter from a boat!! Any advice from you all would be greatly appreciated, due to the fact that I know alot of you are experts in this technique! What makes this even stranger is I have used jigs to crappie fish my entire life with great success!! I normally fish the areas from Riverpoint up the dam and am just wondering on what size and color jigs to use in what water conditions, where to fish them, such as along the banks around cover or down the middle. Also, what is the best way to rig one, with a bobber or just on its own? I am at a total loss here and looking for a few helpful insights, anything would be greatly appreciated!!

[Phil Lilley]

Just to make sure you've read my article on jig fishing...

http://bransonlaketaneycomo.blogspot.com/

I think the key is practice more than anything. I find that when I have someone out that's new to it, as soon as they get a few hits and hookups under their belt, they "get it". Maybe it was slow when you were fishing before- it happens. Line size and rod selection is also important. You have to have a good feel for the jig- where it is and what it's doing- at all times. The fish will hit it on the fall 90% of the time so paying close attention to the line and feel of the rod is essential.

Hope this helps.

[bigredbirdfan]

Most of the time you will pop it vertically bouncing it near the bottom. Sometimes in shallower water the popping is more horizontal. You will develop a time in between pops. Start with a count of 5 seconds then very it. You will actually feel it bounce the bottom. Look at the White River Zig Jigs if you don't want to spend $3 buck a piece on PMS jig. This is very fun fishing when you get the hang of it. Good luck.

BTW what size line is everyone else using tied at the jig? When the water was way down last fall. I was using 4 lb and had no bites. Tied on a 6X tippet and bam, bam, bam.

[soggyfeet]

I normally use a 1/100 oz jig usually in bubble gum or yellow in color and do real well in the morning and evening when the fog is on the water. 5x tippit with the jig under a indicator between 12 in to 36 in and just drift it over the holes. I have seen people doing real well on olive and peach colors as well.

[Trevor K]

How important is it that the head of the jig is painted? I have the stuff to make some jigs, but right now the heads are just silver. Phil, I saw that you recommend power paint. Would you say I should paint the heads or should they be alright just silver? Thanks

[fly2fish]

How important is it that the head of the jig is painted? I have the stuff to make some jigs, but right now the heads are just silver. Phil, I saw that you recommend power paint. Would you say I should paint the heads or should they be alright just silver? Thanks

I have tied the PMS jig on both a black painted head and bare lead head. I think the bare head has outfished the painted heads at night. It seems that as the jig bounces and hits the rocks it gets shiney places on it that adds to the flash. The prism heads would be good also if you can find them.

HC

[ollie]

Most people don't "get" it when it comes to fishing with jigs. That's all I use anymore. Stiff rod with great action and small line are the key. Better tell those trout over 20" I have caught that the paint matters! It does not IMO. I never paint the head. I also don't fish jigs any smaller than 1/32 unless I'm at a trout park, then I might go down one size to 1/64th.

[loo10]

Just to make sure you've read my article on jig fishing...

http://bransonlaketaneycomo.blogspot.com/

I think the key is practice more than anything. I find that when I have someone out that's new to it, as soon as they get a few hits and hookups under their belt, they "get it". Maybe it was slow when you were fishing before- it happens. Line size and rod selection is also important. You have to have a good feel for the jig- where it is and what it's doing- at all times. The fish will hit it on the fall 90% of the time so paying close attention to the line and feel of the rod is essential.

Hope this helps.

Phil knows what he's talking about.

I was in the same boat as you.

It took me 3 trips out and suddenly I "got it".

Nothing will take the place of time on the water.

And it's true....hits come 90% on the fall!

[bigredbirdfan]

Thought this might help. It is in reference to the White River Zig Jig. I don't have any interest in the company, but have caught a lot of fish on these jigs. Very good jigs if you don't tie them.

http://zigjig.net/

The Zig jig system

The Zig Jig is fished by casting perpendicular to the flow or quartering downstream just a little. Let the Zig Jig sink to within 3" to 6" of the bottom on slack line and then give it a good pop with your rod. Drop your rod tip as the jig drops on the slack line and when you think it's almost on bottom, pop it again. As you are dropping your rod tip while the Zig Jig sinks, reel in the excess line. Repeat the pop and drop action of the retrieve all the way in. If you are fishing this technique correctly, you won't feel the fish bite. When you pop the Zig Jig at the bottom of the drop, you'll either pop the jig or set the hook.

Trout, and most other fish, will hit the Zig Jig on the drop about 95% of the time. Most of the time they are biting at the bottom of the drop or as the Zig Jig nears the bottom. Under most conditions, if you are not catching fish, the jig is simply not getting deep enough and you will need to slow down your retrieve. If you are hanging up all the time you need to speed up your retrieve or pop the Zig Jig sooner.

The water on the White and Norfork rivers is normally clear enough to estimate how deep it is. A good rule of thumb is to count the Zig Jig down at one foot per second. A good pair of polarized sunglasses is a must in order to estimate the depth of the water and to see the fish chase the Zig Jig. When you see a fish chasing the jig adjust your retrieve to the speed the fish seem to want that day. Many times the fish will swirl and strike at the Zig Jig all the way to the boat. Many fish are caught within three or four feet of the boat, including some pretty nice size fish.

[jdmidwest]

Having watched a few posts on here about the jigs, does anyone cast them with a fly rod? Jigs have been around for years and popular at the trout parks. I really can't remember the last time I even carried a spinning rod to a trout park or any stream around there. I am interested in using them on 11 pt river. Any ideas or hints?