Author Topic: Jigging help needed!  (Read 3209 times)

Offline AriettaBob

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Jigging help needed!
« on: Jan 10, 2017, 04:52 PM »
Hi all, I'm struggling mightily with jigging. I'm a long time tipup guy who is now trying to learn how to jig. I'm mostly targeting perch and walleye, with perch getting 90% of my attention. I own a couple of UL Ice Blue rods with 3lb mono that get used most of the time. Seems I'm able to only land the super aggressive fish that hammer my jig. When the lite biters come along I see them on the flasher, get ready, watch the rod tip ever so slightly bounce and when I strike I seem to always be late and nothing is there.

Unfortunately I have no experienced friends to help, and possibly what I'm experiencing is normal, I don't know. I know this isn't much to go on, but can anyone shed some light on what I'm doing wrong, if anything, and maybe point me to a primer on jigging technique that can at least start me off?  Thanks.

Offline Idahogator

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #1 on: Jan 10, 2017, 05:13 PM »
Tell us you read the 45 pages of "LINKS" in jigging, please.     :bow:
      

Offline AriettaBob

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #2 on: Jan 10, 2017, 05:23 PM »
All 45 pages, no, but I've read an awful lot of it. Most doesn't address the basics for someone as inept at it as I am. If everything has already been covered then I apologize, the site can stop taking new questions.

Offline adkRoy

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #3 on: Jan 10, 2017, 05:27 PM »
When the perch are biting lightly, don't yank up to set the hook. Gently flick your wrist up so yo don't yank the hook out of their mouth.

Also what are you using for jigs? I like Hali jigs.
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Offline AriettaBob

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #4 on: Jan 10, 2017, 05:30 PM »
I'm using a lot of hali jigs with a chain dropper.

Offline adkRoy

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #5 on: Jan 10, 2017, 05:37 PM »
1. Is the lure tied directly to your line?(no swivel)

2. What are you using as bait? I find two spikes on a halo hook works best.

3 have you tried switching to a smaller, ultra light action rod?
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Offline AriettaBob

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #6 on: Jan 10, 2017, 05:44 PM »
Lets see, yes I tie directly without a swivel. I know many use a quick snap but I haven't gone that route yet. Should I?
I generally use 2 mousies per setup.
The 18" ice blue is listed as UL. I have nothing to compare it to. Possibly I've been mistaken?

Thanks for helping.

Offline adkRoy

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #7 on: Jan 10, 2017, 05:49 PM »
Tied directly to the line is the way to go.  What kind of line do you have on your reel? Is it regular monofilament or is it made for ice fishing?
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Offline AriettaBob

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #8 on: Jan 10, 2017, 05:52 PM »
Actually I'm not sure. I believe it's an ice flouro, but I could be completely wrong. It's possible that I loaded it with trilene.

Offline adkRoy

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #9 on: Jan 10, 2017, 05:55 PM »
Regular mono has more stretch and that could cause you to miss hooking the fish.
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Offline AriettaBob

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #10 on: Jan 10, 2017, 05:59 PM »
I wasn't aware of that. Thank you. I will respool everything and go from there. I appreciate your time and help.

Offline staggerin

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #11 on: Jan 10, 2017, 06:00 PM »
It could be caused by a few things. Try shortening up your bait. Smaller hooks sometimes.  A camera might help you see why you are missing.  All and all. Just keep trying
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Offline adkRoy

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #12 on: Jan 10, 2017, 06:02 PM »
I wasn't aware of that. Thank you. I will respool everything and go from there. I appreciate your time and help.
You are welcome. Good luck.
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Offline AriettaBob

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #13 on: Jan 10, 2017, 06:04 PM »
A camera is a great idea. I do have a relative who would probably send me his for a short try. Thanks.

By shortening up my baits, do you mean having less of the mousie hanging off the hook?

Offline Oldbear

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #14 on: Jan 10, 2017, 06:08 PM »
I use a spring bobber on the end of the rod and more of a sweeping motion to set the hook.

Offline AriettaBob

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #15 on: Jan 10, 2017, 06:13 PM »
I've tried a spring bobber but gave up on it, probably too quickly. From what everyone is saying, I'm definitely striking too harshly and sharply.

Offline Idahogator

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #16 on: Jan 10, 2017, 06:13 PM »
Apologies to you Bob, you were/are serious and stuck around.      :bow:

Now to get more in depth.    Something I've found with perch, they object to "feeling" any resistance, like a pull on the line.   

Try dropping the rod tip at any indication of a nibble and just maybe they will take more of it, all for a better hook-set.

Good luck

      

Offline AriettaBob

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #17 on: Jan 10, 2017, 06:16 PM »
Thanks for the reply, Idahogator. I definitely keep a taught line at all times. I will certainly try dropping the tip. Good suggestion, thanks.

Offline Idahogator

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #18 on: Jan 10, 2017, 06:27 PM »
You are very welcome, Bob.

And it may help to search the topic: tip-downs.   Sensitive and simple devices for giving them 2' of slack if they touch or smell your bait, ha.

Truly, they never miss.     :thumbsup:
      

Offline celtbass

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #19 on: Jan 10, 2017, 06:33 PM »
For a light bite I try to keep the line in one of my fingers while holding the rod... may help you detect the light non aggressive hits
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Offline AriettaBob

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #20 on: Jan 10, 2017, 06:38 PM »
I'll search tip-downs tonight. I see 2 benefits: catching more fish and accumulating more gear, something I honestly enjoy. Thanks again.

Celtbass, thanks. That's a nice simple tip I can add. Not sure why I never thought of it, I use it for stream trout quite often.


Offline Dave R

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #21 on: Jan 10, 2017, 07:32 PM »
I've tried a spring bobber but gave up on it, probably too quickly. From what everyone is saying, I'm definitely striking too harshly and sharply.


This is an excellent spring bobber for ultra lite rods. https://litebytebobber.com/

I've used both the original that is already attached to an replaceable rod tip guide and the spring and post kit that you put on an existing tip.

Offline AriettaBob

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #22 on: Jan 10, 2017, 08:09 PM »
Thanks Dave. I just watched his videos. Very nice. Icing was a big problem with the spring bobber I tried. This one looks way better. I will try it.

Offline jjc155

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #23 on: Jan 18, 2017, 08:24 PM »
My only advise is on the hook set. When the tip is twitching/bending be slow but deliberate on your set. I find that a steady raise of my rod ARM is better than trying to quickly flick the rod with my wrist. Seems like my hook up % is a lot higher with the slow steady raise. The "quicker" you set the more likely you are going to pull the jig away/out of the fishes mouth.

J-

Offline AriettaBob

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Re: Jigging help needed!
« Reply #24 on: Jan 20, 2017, 08:58 AM »
Ok, I enjoyed some success yesterday afternoon jigging perch. 2 things that made a world of difference were sweeping up the rod tip rather than a quick jerk up and paying more attention to the rod tip. Seems as if I've been lax in my jigging. If I saw the tip move at all I gave it a smooth lift and quite often I had a fish. I've got a long ways to go, but thanks everyone who contributed here. There'll be more fish fries in my future.

 



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