Solutions For The Top 10 Jigging Mistakes
See if any of these tips can help you catch the big one.
1. MISTAKE: Slack on the Drop - Some anglers lift the jig, then quickly drop the rodtip so the leadhead falls on a slack line. No good, since most strikes occur on the drop.
SOLUTION: After the lift, match the speed of the jig's descent with your rodtip so the line stays semi-taut.
2. MISTAKE: Slow Hookset - Walleyes inhale jigs by flaring their gills, and can spit 'em out just as fast.
SOLUTION: When you feel a light tick or tap, or the line twitches, set the hook. If you miss light bites, add a stinger.
3. MISTAKE: Lack of Concentration - An obvious misstep.
SOLUTION: Forget everything else. Focus on the elements of your presentation (jigging cadence, bottom contact, etc.), and be ever alert for a strike.
4. MISTAKE: Avoiding Snags - It's tempting to stay away from the tough stuff and avoid frustrating snags. But then you miss fish.
Solution: If you're not occasionally running afoul of weeds, rocks or wood, you're not fishing in the right place. Bite your lip and go for it.
5. MISTAKE: Overdoing It - It's easy to fall into a rhythm that's too fast for the fish.
Solution: This is part of the mental game. Concentrate on keeping your jig strokes slow and steady, unless the fish are on a tear.
6. MISTAKE: Fishing the Wrong Head -There are so many to choose from, many anglers give up and stick with one style.
Solution: Make the effort to learn about the different designs, and fish them where they make sense.
7. MISTAKE: Weight Problems - An oversize jig sinks too fast and plows along the bottom, while lightweights won't reach the fish, or worse, you can't "feel" them.
Solution: Use just enough weight to maintain good contact with the jig.
8. MISTAKE: Casting Too Far - This isn't the Olympics. Jigs and strikes at the far end of a long cast are difficult to register.
Solution: Keep casts manageable for gear and conditions.
9. MISTAKE: The Wrong Rod - Long, soft-tipped sticks are usually bad news.
Solution: You'll detect more strikes with a shorter, stiffer, high-modulus graphite rod.
10. MISTAKE: Unnecessary Tipping - Some anglers automatically tip leadheads with bait. While a good idea in cold water or when fish are sluggish, meat can detract from the action of feathers or the vibes of a curlytail.
Solution: When in doubt, go baitless.
See if any of these tips can help you catch the big one.
1. MISTAKE: Slack on the Drop - Some anglers lift the jig, then quickly drop the rodtip so the leadhead falls on a slack line. No good, since most strikes occur on the drop.
SOLUTION: After the lift, match the speed of the jig's descent with your rodtip so the line stays semi-taut.
2. MISTAKE: Slow Hookset - Walleyes inhale jigs by flaring their gills, and can spit 'em out just as fast.
SOLUTION: When you feel a light tick or tap, or the line twitches, set the hook. If you miss light bites, add a stinger.
3. MISTAKE: Lack of Concentration - An obvious misstep.
SOLUTION: Forget everything else. Focus on the elements of your presentation (jigging cadence, bottom contact, etc.), and be ever alert for a strike.
4. MISTAKE: Avoiding Snags - It's tempting to stay away from the tough stuff and avoid frustrating snags. But then you miss fish.
Solution: If you're not occasionally running afoul of weeds, rocks or wood, you're not fishing in the right place. Bite your lip and go for it.
5. MISTAKE: Overdoing It - It's easy to fall into a rhythm that's too fast for the fish.
Solution: This is part of the mental game. Concentrate on keeping your jig strokes slow and steady, unless the fish are on a tear.
6. MISTAKE: Fishing the Wrong Head -There are so many to choose from, many anglers give up and stick with one style.
Solution: Make the effort to learn about the different designs, and fish them where they make sense.
7. MISTAKE: Weight Problems - An oversize jig sinks too fast and plows along the bottom, while lightweights won't reach the fish, or worse, you can't "feel" them.
Solution: Use just enough weight to maintain good contact with the jig.
8. MISTAKE: Casting Too Far - This isn't the Olympics. Jigs and strikes at the far end of a long cast are difficult to register.
Solution: Keep casts manageable for gear and conditions.
9. MISTAKE: The Wrong Rod - Long, soft-tipped sticks are usually bad news.
Solution: You'll detect more strikes with a shorter, stiffer, high-modulus graphite rod.
10. MISTAKE: Unnecessary Tipping - Some anglers automatically tip leadheads with bait. While a good idea in cold water or when fish are sluggish, meat can detract from the action of feathers or the vibes of a curlytail.
Solution: When in doubt, go baitless.