| Author | Message | ||
| Cobia
Member Username: Cobia Post Number: 127 Registered: 8-2000 |
I'm a pure jigger...never use bait (except some live lining) from about this time of the year on. I use some metals and BAs | ||
| Bobw
Senior Member Username: Bobw Post Number: 664 Registered: 7-2000 |
I pictured some of my best style lures in a recent report"i broke my leg" Trout will take a vast aray of plastics including black BTs at night. I have taken them on 1-1/2 BTs but the norm is 5/16 oz to 3/4 oz round head jigs for me. I use 4/15 Spidrewire on a med action 7' rod for the most part. I too love the smack they present.Pound for pound I think they fight better than stripers. I try not to net or remove them from the water.I lip most of them ,but the big guys require a glove. Bucktail Bob | ||
| Fishhead
New member Username: Fishhead Post Number: 12 Registered: 2-2002 |
I love it! In your experience: Whats your favorite jigging rod combo? Whats you favorite line to jig with? What have been the best colors? Best jig shape? Best plastic? For those who don't jig: Whats you favorite method? Favorite rod,line,lure or bait? | ||
| Specrig
Member Username: Specrig Post Number: 118 Registered: 8-2000 |
I use 1/4 oz. up to whatever, depending the depth and the strength of the tide. Plastics are usually Bass Assassins/Finesse type and of course the old faithful worm. Colors vary due to water clarity and if I'm fishing at night. I pour my own jigheads and tie my own bucktails even though a plain jighead without hair will also produce very well. Last week I caught some very nice trout and four stripers without any hair on the bucktail. I like to use Power Pro or Spider line due to the sensitivity but it can be a mess at night if it tangles. I only use anti-reverse reels (spinners) or bait casters with 6 1/2 medium action rod (usually St. Croix). | ||
| Ninja
Senior Member Username: Ninja Post Number: 609 Registered: 7-2000 |
Nothing elese like it. I have to agree with Bob on the fight and the head shake galore. Such a pertty fish and so good to eat  I have had success with white, chart, and plain lead head jigs from 1/4 oz up to 1 oz. Plastic bodies range from 2" sassy shads up to 5" bassassasins. I prefer 4" Fin-S worms in arkansas shiner, white, clear pepper flake, and chartreuse. I see alot of folks using the Gotcha trout killer worms in 4". When these fish are hungry just match the hatch, they WILL bite. Just remember that experimenting with lures and colors is part of the fun. Stay with rods in the 7' medium action range. All braided lines will do with my personal favorite being PowerPro in the 6# & 8# diameters. I fell in love with 12# Yozuri Hybrid line as a tippet. | ||
| Fishhead
New member Username: Fishhead Post Number: 14 Registered: 2-2002 |
I also like to drop metal on'm too. I really like the Moblet Wobley rig. Its cheap and deadly.   The small jig on the dropper in the first pic is a killer on trout. The fiber jigs off spec rigs work good as well. It don't matter much. You can hook'm up two at a time if ya want. When your in'm and feel one hit set the hook and wait a second another will hit the other lure. Just take a trolling sinker and put a hook on it. Hammer and pait it,add a feather or some flash and your in there. It ain't a hard choice for me. Lets see....stingsilvers@ 2-3 bucks or a trolling sinker w/powderpaint,splitring and hook 50 cents....duh let me think..... Try it. This is one hot rig. I like a little pink/white paint on the spoon and a yellow grub or pink 3'ba on the small jig. But the combo's are unlimited and it what ever works for you on a given day. I've caught weakies to 107ft deep on this rig. As well as rock,perch and croakers in 10ft. Last fall had a pretty good cat on it in the upper bay while jigging rock. For casting I use ba's a lot but for shallow I really like sassyshads. I just love jigging. | ||
| Crabberjohn
Senior Member Username: Crabberjohn Post Number: 982 Registered: 5-2000 |
What amazes me is the ratio of fish caught on jigs versus bait for certain fishes. I stand there catching fish while watching others using bait, catching nothing. I never rely on asking anyone if the're catching fish as I've caught fish when it seems like it's not worth tossing a bait. I feel like I'm bringing the bait to the fish through presentation (oh so important)In lieu of waiting for the fish to come to the bait. 10 minutes of teaching in the hands of my girlfriend caught her her first fish on jigs when no one else on the pier was catching anything. What color to use when is sometimes the answer too. I've seen the fish change color preferences from one hour to the next so it's more than just presentation. | ||
| Bobw
Senior Member Username: Bobw Post Number: 666 Registered: 7-2000 |
CJ,as you said presentation is everything. The drop[head size] ,speed of retrieve,distance of hop,frequenzy of hop, direction lure moves in relation to the current can all matter some time.I think color preferences change with light and light angles. Jigging with stingsilvers and such is great in open water,but presents a problem when structures are near to snag on. Single hooks help cut down on that problem.I`m guilty of not using that method enough,but I get a few fish now and again. Bucktail Bob | ||
| Chiefmikey
Junior Member Username: Chiefmikey Post Number: 73 Registered: 4-2002 |
You mean people actually use heavier than medium weight tackle with over 8 pound test lines for Weakfish. They should be ashamed of themselves, where did the sport in sportfishing go. My favorite jig, a white bucktail, is there anything better? | ||
| Bobw
Senior Member Username: Bobw Post Number: 667 Registered: 7-2000 |
CM,its hard to beat a wh bt.I love to experiment trying to find what all they will take.I can be catching every cast and will start switching lures.I use heavier line to help subdue the quarry in a timely manor. | ||
| Tuna2bite
Junior Member Username: Tuna2bite Post Number: 61 Registered: 12-2000 |
I love to use ultra-light rod & reel with 8 to 10lb test line.. 3/8 ounce jigs are my favorite to fish with when the conditions are right.. You can feel the fish pick the lure up & start swimming with it.. When available I love to tip with a little piece of peeler crab..  Later... | ||
| Striperkiller
Senior Member Username: Striperkiller Post Number: 569 Registered: 2-2000 |
fishhead is that a st.croix tidemaster ? steve | ||
| Striperkiller
Senior Member Username: Striperkiller Post Number: 571 Registered: 2-2000 |
anybody ever jig these things for troutsmack!!!  steve | ||
| Crabberjohn
Senior Member Username: Crabberjohn Post Number: 983 Registered: 5-2000 |
Live spot and live mullet have their time and place, don't they Steve. We're gonna show Ninja that at the cape this fall. I promised him I'd take him with me when the point opens. Damned Plovers, I wish they would go to Capastrono with the swallows. | ||
| Fishhead
New member Username: Fishhead Post Number: 15 Registered: 2-2002 |
StriperKiller, I can't afford st.croix. I just got some BPS graphite rods. However I have dropped a few live spot on a bt over the side drift'n IRI on the tide change in the fall. Ain't that fun? | ||
| Ben
Advanced Member Username: Ben Post Number: 207 Registered: 8-2000 |
I did some night fishing last night and limited out on a ultra light with 6lb test line and jigs, what a blast. It took a while to get the Trout to the boat but it sure was fun. | ||
| Charlietuna
Senior Member Username: Charlietuna Post Number: 750 Registered: 7-2000 |
Great post guys. I'd definitely interested in the art of arties. I casted a white on white for an hour Sunday - no hits. But I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thang! Saw some other guys in a Samuri casting feverishly with jigs along the beach near me. Didn't see them doing anything either. I'm ready for some beach / pier lessons, if anyone's willing. Hey CJ, you're right. I saw a big hummer coming off the beach with some plover feathers stuck in the treads. Looks like a good fall a coming, with plenty of bait too. Whats the bait fish I'm seeing along the shore now? | ||
| Seadawg
Senior Member Username: Seadawg Post Number: 368 Registered: 8-2000 |
Sounds good Ben! Wish I had been with you. CT, you will find that jigging is like everything else. If they are not hungry, you have to wait them out. I went out last Thursday at Roosevelt inlet, and we casted small (1/8 to 3/8 oz.)jigs for 2 solid hours without a bite. Then, all three of us had fish on at almost the same time, and this kept up for close to an hour. Then, it stopped again. Were the fish just traveling by, or were they there all along, and not hungry? When we were catching them, everyone else that was anchored near us were too. The rest of the time, there was a very rare occasional stragler being caught. White or white/pink seemed to be the color then, but that varies daily too. I'm like Ben, I like a light rod that doesn't wear me out when casting for hours. It's work, but fun work when the fish start biting. I mostly use a Cabelas interline 7' rod, with 6# dia. Fireline (14# test) for jigging. | ||
| Dms391
Member Username: Dms391 Post Number: 129 Registered: 5-2001 |
Fishhead: Thanks for the tips and pictures. How warm does your hammered sinker have to be for the powder paint to hold on and cure? I've seen the paint on BassPro and elsewhere, just never tried it. I definitely like your economy hammered lures, and I wonder why I never thought of that before. Don | ||
| Ninja
Senior Member Username: Ninja Post Number: 613 Registered: 7-2000 |
Same here Don. Do you wrap the sinker with lets say tin foil? Now I guess that would work. I plan on using a similar rig this summer in the depths of DE-Bay. I have used large 1 or 2 oz heads as bottom weight with a 4" or 5" Fin-s or assasin with a dropper about 14"-18" up the line. I use a 1/4 or lighter jig head on the dropper with a 2" chartreuse twister. Flounder and trout love em! Great post guys! CJ-I cannot wait for the cape lesson. Are you gonna be you know where with Jim tomorrow morning? I saw two guys throwing live spot from the north rocks last night. I didnt see them catch anything but they were in the wrong spot with live spot. | ||
| Jigman
New member Username: Jigman Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2002 |
Ninga, Elaborate on this setup. Thanks, Jigman | ||
| Striperswiper1
Senior Member Username: Striperswiper1 Post Number: 1023 Registered: 7-2000 |
Nice posts by everyone! Being a jigman myself, I use most of the latter, soft plastics heads the list followed by bt's and metals. Remember, color is important, but TIDE STAGE and LOCATION(ie structure,rips, lumps, shoals) are equally important in finding the tiderunners as well as any gamefish. For LT jigging and casting one of my favorite combo's is a St croix tidemaster 7'MH and abu 5500c3 baitcaster. Mark J | ||
| Tartansailor
Intermediate Member Username: Tartansailor Post Number: 181 Registered: 7-2000 |
This is a great thread. Alot of good info. I really like St. Croix, but my Tidemaster TS80HF doesent cast with the versitility of their fly rods. I can cast farther with a 6 ft True Temper!!! fiberglass rod than with my Tidemaster. Go figure? Dick | ||
| Fishhead
New member Username: Fishhead Post Number: 16 Registered: 2-2002 |
Don, The powder paint is the stuff. For jig heads I hold them in a blow torch for like the count of 3. Then just dip it and shake it off. When it cools its cured. You can drop it right in water if ya want. Or ya can put'm in a toaster over and bake'm for 20 mins if ya really want a hard finish.It too easy. For the spoons like a 3-4 oz its like a 6 count while turning it. If I wan two colors I'll make a coupla little trays outta foil and put a little in each and dip in one turn it over and do the other color. You really don't gotta get them that hot like maybe 300 degrees. Some colors take a little more some a little less. It takes a little trial and error but what the heck you really can't screw up too bad. Plus I don't know about you but my jigheads usually don't last that long. | ||
| Thunnus
New member Username: Thunnus Post Number: 12 Registered: 5-2001 |
This thread has been really informative. I do most of my jigging from shore, so my selections are a little different. here's what I use: I use 2 rods, a 7' light action St croix tidemaster for fishing shallower with lighter jigs, like throwing the beach side of the inlet, or fishing roosevelt. For fishing the bends at the inlet for bigger fish, I have a medium action 8' tidemaster, it has a slower tip, for feel, so I can still use small stuff if the fish are staged. On both rods I fish fireline. I love the the sensitivity. 10# on the light 20# on the medium. florou leaders too. I throw a ton of plastic. I ought to take a picture of my bag, I think one of my shoulders will be sittng lower than the other from the weight. I've just recently gotten into straight tailed bass assasins. fish seem to like them sometimes when nothing else works. also, 4" paddle tail assains are one of my favorites, in opening night, and pink diamond. Also, I use Cocahoe minnows in 4" I order them in bulk from cabelas, pearl with a black back works excellent, I've just started using them this year, and I've had a lot of luck they hold up through a lot of fish, unlike the BA's also I use Trout killers in 4" Eel, pearl, and smoke last year I had my best sucess on the smoke late in the evenings. (they also make great smallmouth and walleye lures, up at the susky) I also fish bucktails, I tie my own and do a lot of experimenting with krystal flash and other synthetics tied in with the hair. I haven't found out antying conclusive yet! plain old hair still works great. I tip with yellow or white worms. Hey steve, I throw spot with limited sucess, seems the stripers find them first! must be me? Good fishing everyone! Matt | ||
| Dick
Senior Member Username: Dick Post Number: 648 Registered: 5-2001 |
This is a GREAT Thread! I've just started experimenting with the plastics and need all the help I can get. Keep up the great posts and thanks. Dick | ||
| Striperkiller
Senior Member Username: Striperkiller Post Number: 573 Registered: 2-2000 |
hey matt, it was great to finally meet you . matt does really good with his setup . we meet at roosevelt one afternoon and he was smacking some trout on his little setup . while the bait guys were barely catching . anybody try these yet?  steve | ||
| Striperswiper1
Senior Member Username: Striperswiper1 Post Number: 1024 Registered: 7-2000 |
Hey Steve, I know Bob W was using them in early March and he gave me a few to try myself. I believe they were the 4 and 6" paddle tale type made by storm. The worked GREAT for rock, but I haven't been able to find them in any tackle shop. Thunnus How's the striper fishing on the Susky? I fished the flats Sat and picked up only a few shorts. I plan on fishing the river this week. I'm sure you were pretty pi$$ed you couldn't get into your honey hole in early march.(at the dam) Mark J | ||
| Dick
Senior Member Username: Dick Post Number: 652 Registered: 5-2001 |
Mark J, I just picked up a bunch of packs of the Storm plastics in different patterns. Bass, bluegill, chart., and a few larger ones. Steple Bothers, east of the dam, had a bunch of them on sale for $4.95 a pack. Didn't matter what size. I picked up too many... Only tried one and didn't have any luck. But didn't really fish too hard with them, plus I was in Fresh. Let me know when you plan on hitting the river. I may join you if possible and you don't mind. I'll even share! | ||
| Tarpon1
New member Username: Tarpon1 Post Number: 43 Registered: 4-2001 |
Striperkiller, I have used the jigs you are talking about and have hade some luck on flounder and trout with them. I gave a friend a few and he uses them also. I took some down to IRI and the bluefish distroyed them. They are useless after one bites the tail off. I have some with a removable head that come from Sue Fosters in OC. | ||
| Striperswiper1
Senior Member Username: Striperswiper1 Post Number: 1026 Registered: 7-2000 |
Thanks Dick for the info! I might be going down to the Susky early Sat, but I'm not sure as of yet. Mark | ||
| Thunnus
New member Username: Thunnus Post Number: 14 Registered: 5-2001 |
Steve, likewise! lets throw purple and black one night off the north jetty, I'm always game. Mark, I haven't been on the river since the trout smack started. I'm sure that fish are being caught on poppers in early mornings -morning is the key. I'm still ticked about losing my smallmouth spot, I fish with a guy whos probably 10 times more ticked about it than me, he's been pulling big smallies out of there (and releasing them) before I was alive (he also taught me a lot about the spot, and the river). I had an excellent night yesterday at both roosevelt and Indian river. fished the incoming at roosevelt, and the falling tide at IRI, trout smack at both locations. best night of trout fishing I've ever had. I'm leaving for key west to fish for permit tomorrow. If you guys are interested, I'll post a report and pics. I'm giving my Tica Libra a torture test down there. | ||
| Bobw
Senior Member Username: Bobw Post Number: 670 Registered: 7-2000 |
Thunnus,I`m interested in how you like those reels.I`m in the market for all new spinners. Bucktail Bob | ||
| Thunnus
New member Username: Thunnus Post Number: 15 Registered: 5-2001 |
Bob, I've had absolutely no problems with my 3000, it's gotten sprayed by salt water, drag ripped, etc. I used to be a stradic man. My last outing I fished 8 hours, and the reel got splashed numerous times, and it stayed as smooth as butter. I've had my stradics start to tighten almost instantly after getting hit by water. I can't tell you how many times I've had to walk off of the N. jetty to flush out my old stradic with WD 40 and relube. I've done it a few times a day sometimes! Key west will be the drag test. I should mention that while the stradic drag is really smooth. It will overheat on a permit... of course, that's a hell of a fish to test a drag on, but those babies let you know just how much your tackle can take! The Libra has a ball bearing drag, it seems like it should hold up better. we'll see | ||
| Fishhead
New member Username: Fishhead Post Number: 19 Registered: 2-2002 |
If any of you all are gonna fish the dam get your perch(down river) before you go up.I hear their pretty scarce up there. | ||
| Ninja
Senior Member Username: Ninja Post Number: 617 Registered: 7-2000 |
Geeze Steve lets not hold anything back huh? Just kiddin man. Those 3" curly tails are good baits. Just a little twitch gets that tail spinnin. Trout do like them off the pier. |