Jig Fishing Techniques

[bigredbirdfan]

I can throw one color on the White River every time I go there. Can't on taney. Sculpin, green, black and green, brown, ginger all good colors. Color of the jig head makes a difference too. Stay away from a jig head color differnet than the maribu. Many here catch a lot on white not me. In addition to color the weight is important as well. 1/8, 1/16 on down to 1/50 might be required depending on water flow. During lower flows the 1/8 is too big IMO. You want to make sure you are in constant contact with the bottom. If you are getting that some days the paint will come completly off your jig (they will still catch them too). You will also know when you lose a few jigs as well. The white river zig jigs are bar none the best jigs b/c of the shape of the heads. http://zigjig.net/ Never ever any line bigger than 4lb test. The last thing I can tell you is Taney is just on one day and can be off the next with no explaniation. I've caught 50 fish one day and lucky to get a limit the next. Hang in there. Hope you get a 50 fish day.

[Gatorjet]

I mostly use the PJ's jigs. I like the flattened head design that kind of works like the description of the Zig on the site you posted. The Zigs do have some interesting color options, I'll have to try some.

When talking to a guide from Arkansas at the St Louis Boat Show a few years ago he described the "pop & drop" method they describe on the Zigjig site. I have been told that Taney trout don't react to it as well. I have tried it some, with out much success. Although, I didn't do much better working the jig slowly and trying to feel the bite. Do you use the pop & drop method at Taneycomo?

[bigdub]

I use the pop and drop method. When you are having trouble feeling the bite, this is by far the best method due to the fact that bites "usually" are fewer, but the hook ups are easy because they hammer it or the hook is set on the next pop. It just depends on the depth of the water and how aggressive those particular fish are. I would recomend it to someone who is just starting out because when you get bit, you know it and then you can hone your bite feeling skills using that as a starting point. Beware though, be sure to have your drag set well because a decent fish will break you off on the pop LOL!! Good luck out there!!

[Gatorjet]

Hey Dub, gonna see ya in a couple weeks?

[bigdub]

Hey Dub, gonna see ya in a couple weeks?

You bet, my father and I are really looking forward to it. We will have to get together, I think we are going to be down on the Thurs before to try and get a day in of fishing and see how it is.

[Gatorjet]

Dub, sent you a PM about meeting up.

I'm also going down there Sunday thru Wed. this comming week. A well needed fishing fix, and pre, pre-fishing for R.A.W.

Getting a little OT now, so getting back to the OP. Golden Blend, I hope you've learned at least a little so far.

[bigredbirdfan]

I mostly use the PJ's jigs. I like the flattened head design that kind of works like the description of the Zig on the site you posted. The Zigs do have some interesting color options, I'll have to try some.

When talking to a guide from Arkansas at the St Louis Boat Show a few years ago he described the "pop & drop" method they describe on the Zigjig site. I have been told that Taney trout don't react to it as well. I have tried it some, with out much success. Although, I didn't do much better working the jig slowly and trying to feel the bite. Do you use the pop & drop method at Taneycomo?

Yes. Even with the smaller jigs.

[cotterboy2007]

Here are some decent discussions on various jig fishing topics

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9830&st=0&p=59067&fromsearch=1&#entry59067

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=169

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=153

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=154

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9676

[Golden Blend]

Here are some decent discussions on various jig fishing topics

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9830&st=0&p=59067&fromsearch=1&#entry59067

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=169

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=153

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=154

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9676

Excellent discussions, on topic, thanks so much!

[ollie]

While I don't get to fish Taney very often, I do fish with jigs for trout all the time. I never use a painted heads because I am bouncing the bottom with mine and don't feel the need to use them. Caught plenty of big trout w/o paint on the head. Try varying the retreive and always have a tight line so you can"feel" whats going on. My methods are a little different than others. It does take a lot of practice to fish a jig correctly. I can stand next to a beginer with the same exact jig on and always outfish them do to technique. Others have made good comments also about line weight and jig weight according to flows. Where I fish I rarely go above a 1/32, but will go up in weight when the water is a little higher or the wind is really gusting.