Jigs and huge brown trout?

[Smallie Seeker]

What is it about the marabou jig that seems to consistently catch monster browns? 

Lots of crawlers/powerbait drug up and down the lake, thousands of flies being swung of all sizes up to big streamers, and jerkbaits cast till arms fall off and yet the jig seems to be the most frequent big brown lure on Taney.

ZigJigs FB  have a lot of huge fish posted frequently as well.

Is it the KVD number game philosophy of being able to cover more water = more fish = more chances for a monster? Or is it something about the jig that big browns just can't resist?

Is locating them first then targeting with a jig coming into play?

[Phil Lilley]

Well, it does seem like jigs catch big browns but worms and minnows do too.  PB not so much except for the last state record, previous to Frank.  Scuds will catch them in the fall up close to the dam and some of those are seen before caught.  As far as locating them and catching on jigs, none that I know of lately were seen first.

It does seem like jigs of all sizes and colors do catch all kinds of fish, not just trout. 

[Travis Swift]

A couple thoughts from me on this.  A jig is by far the most thrown artificial lure on the lake that's not bait or a fly so part of it could be a numbers game.....a lot of jigs are thrown and they can imitate anything from a shad to a sculpin depending on color or how they are fished.   The second thing that hits me is, alot of guys that fish jigs know what they are doing, simply put they are good fisherman and are in the know on how and when to use them.  One cast each night has educated lots of people on how to throw them and the proper technique as well.  You can also fish a jig in deeper water easier and by boat easier than you can say a fly, unless it's spawn time alot of these fish are being caught by boat down from the restricted area.  Lastly i don't think either of the last two monsters were targeted so they were just random fish caught by experienced fisherman.  Best thing a guy can do is tie on a jig and fish it anywhere from one dam all the way to the other.  They work up and down the lake no matter where you are located, fished the same way.  Also a jig is versatile, you can fish it straight, fish it on a float, fish it with the water off, fish it with flood gates open.  All play factors into their effectiveness.  

[Smallie Seeker]

12 minutes ago, Travis Swift said:

A couple thoughts from me on this.  A jig is by far the most thrown artificial lure on the lake that's not bait or a fly so part of it could be a numbers game.....a lot of jigs are thrown and they can imitate anything from a shad to a sculpin depending on color or how they are fished.   The second thing that hits me is, alot of guys that fish jigs know what they are doing, simply put they are good fisherman and are in the know on how and when to use them.  One cast each night has educated lots of people on how to throw them and the proper technique as well.  You can also fish a jig in deeper water easier and by boat easier than you can say a fly, unless it's spawn time alot of these fish are being caught by boat down from the restricted area.  Lastly i don't think either of the last two monsters were targeted so they were just random fish caught by experienced fisherman.  Best thing a guy can do is tie on a jig and fish it anywhere from one dam all the way to the other.  They work up and down the lake no matter where you are located, fished the same way.  Also a jig is versatile, you can fish it straight, fish it on a float, fish it with the water off, fish it with flood gates open.  All play factors into their effectiveness.  

This all makes complete sense. Thanks for the reply!

I've caught more on jerkbaits but my only >20" was on a jig. 

[JestersHK]

Travis makes some great points and I too think its a numbers game with the versatility to be able to fish just about any type of water condition with jigs of different weights.

It won't stop me from throwing big jerk baits at night, but I will switch over to a jig at night if the jerk bait bite is slow.  The jerk baits will produce though as Duane can attest to that as well as myself and others that you may not catch as many, but when you go that game you are hunting for the big fish.

My 2nd largest brown from the CAM tournament earlier this year was on a jig, and the 2 biggest walleye we've caught down there one by myself and one by my daughter both came on white jigs... 

[Travis Swift]

I would guess if someone was to log hours of a jig vs a jerkbait for brown trout specifically the number of 20 inch browns caught on a jerkbait is astronomically higher per hour fished than a jig would be.  But a jig will catch you more fish of both species and sizes and it's not even close.   Limited on time and want a shot at a 20 inch or bigger brown, throw a jerkbait.  Want to catch as many fish as possible with a shot at a trophy of either species mixed in, throw a jig.  Or do like a lot of us and throw both    

[Ryan Miloshewski]

Interesting points. I have noticed, after throwing jerkbaits and dragging cranks a lot, you do catch bigger fish. A ton of 18-22-inch fish. But, in the last three years I have only had one brown on a jerkbait that was bigger than 10-pounds. Maybe they move too quickly for them to want to expend the energy to chase it? No idea. Or, could be the jig just imitates what they feed on and see most often. And it moves slow and is worked throughout the water column.

Threw a lot of jerkbaits a few weeks ago and caught plenty of nice fish. Biggest brown came on a white jig, however. A jig will always have a place on my line. 

All it takes is one in the mood, though, so I'll keep jerkin'!

[Travis Swift]

And for what it's worth I still believe in my mind that 20 pound plus brown trout live on stocker rainbows, sculpin and (when available) shad.   I just think when they reach that size that they mainly feed on stocker bow's.  I have no science to back that up, just my personal belief.  

[Travis Swift]

2 minutes ago, Ryan Miloshewski said:

Interesting points. I have noticed, after throwing jerkbaits and dragging cranks a lot, you do catch bigger fish. A ton of 18-22-inch fish. But, in the last three years I have only had one brown on a jerkbait that was bigger than 10-pounds. Maybe they move too quickly for them to want to expend the energy to chase it? No idea. Or, could be the jig just imitates what they feed on and see most often. And it moves slow and is worked throughout the water column.

Threw a lot of jerkbaits a few weeks ago and caught plenty of nice fish. Biggest brown came on a white jig, however. A jig will always have a place on my line. 

All it takes is one in the mood, though, so I'll keep jerkin'!

me and you have talked and i think a jerk bait is great for fish to 10 pounds but for the mega giants a jerk bait might move to fast for them? or perhaps they don't want to come that high in the water column?  I know we both have had 20 pound plus fish follow a jerk bait to the boat though without committing so who knows? I'm like you, i'll keep on throwing it cause it's to dang fun not too!   A crank bait might be a really great way to catch a mega giant.  I've also thought about big trout imitating swimbaits and perhaps a bigger 6 inch flutter spoon jigged vertically under the boat? 

[Ryan Miloshewski]

2 minutes ago, Travis Swift said:

me and you have talked and i think a jerk bait is great for fish to 10 pounds but for the mega giants a jerk bait might move to fast for them? or perhaps they don't want to come that high in the water column?  I know we both have had 20 pound plus fish follow a jerk bait to the boat though without committing so who knows? I'm like you, i'll keep on throwing it cause it's to dang fun not too!   A crank bait might be a really great way to catch a mega giant.  I've also thought about big trout imitating swimbaits and perhaps a bigger 6 inch flutter spoon jigged vertically under the boat? 

Only the trout know! I think in the lower lake if you fished for them like they do on the Great Lakes you'd be surprised at what you pull up. Troll with downriggers in all areas of the water column. It'd take a ton of time to perfect it, but I bet you'd land a huge brown eventually. They have to be down there.