Jig Fishing Techniques

[Golden Blend]

I make it to Taney every other year with a group of trout fishing buddies. While my preference is to flyfish below the dam, I'm usually forced to drift in the boat due to water levels that prevent wading...my timing has been horrible in the past re: water generation. It's as if they know I'm coming! Don't get me wrong, I also enjoy the drift fishing, but after 1/2 hour of bouncing power bait of the bottom, I'm pretty bored with it, even though it produces lots of fish. I've had some success with rapalas, rogues, spoons, but not so much with jigs, which I hear work well at Taney. This tells me my approach is flawed. I typically throw an 8 oz. jig (white, olive or brown) against the bank and worked it back to the boat. Any suggestions on how to be more effective with these jigs? Does anyone bounce them off the bottom like powerbait? Appreciate any pointers.

[patfish]

Maybe the half-pound jigs are the problem?

[Sherwood Flycaster]

Might want to stop throwing that much lead to start, GB. LOL!

[Golden Blend]

yes, good point! I meant 1/8 oz...

[Gatorjet]

Try "drifting" your jigs out where the fish are! Where your buddy are drifting Power Bait. Don't just dead drift, but let it hit the bottom, then reel S L O W L Y, keeping the jig bouncing the bottom. You'll catch bigger fish than they will. LOL

Not that there aren't any fish along the bank, but usually they are hiding along the bottom waiting for the current to bring the food to them.

[snagged in outlet 3]

You just can't help yourself can you Pat? Now you got Sherwood in on the act.

SIO3

[Golden Blend]

Yeah, I guess I deserved some flack for that typo! just for the record, Sherwood needs no influence, I'm actually surprised Patfish beat him to the punch, even though it was only by 3 min.

[Sherwood Flycaster]

Yeah, I guess I deserved some flack for that typo! just for the record, Sherwood needs no influence, I'm actually surprised Patfish beat him to the punch, even though it was only by 3 min.

Only reason he beat me was I took the time to point out this thread to his butt and didnt realize I hadnt hit the submit button!

What gator said, BTW. Wish I could join you boys, GB, but the wallet is already stretched too thin, especially since I had to buy a new rig to replace the one I broke. (Oh the irony- buy a rig and cant afford to use it where/when you want!)

[Phil Lilley]

Working a jig like this takes time and practice. Those of us who fish jigs, after not being on the water for days and weeks, it takes a while to get the feel for working and feeling the bite. So those who haven't fished it much- it takes time.

[Golden Blend]

Working a jig like this takes time and practice. Those of us who fish jigs, after not being on the water for days and weeks, it takes a while to get the feel for working and feeling the bite. So those who haven't fished it much- it takes time.

Thanks Phil, when you say "working a jig", do you mean reeling slowly while keeping it on the bottom as suggested by Gator?