Jigs for Ling

[slickice]

This is the first season that I've ever dedicated trips to target ling.  Even though I've been successful with the traditional set ups (several tip-ups w/sucker belly's and a jig pole with a variety of things such as night crawlers, dead minnows and sucker meat), I've heard that jigging is by far the best method.  While at Clark Canyon Sunday & Monday, I watched a few locals set up at a distance an hour before dark with ATV's.  They appeared to be jigging glow jigs because they kept the ATV's running w/lights directed onto their holes, then placing the jigs in front of the lights to refresh the glow characteristics of the jig.  Because I only had enormous deep water glow jigs used for lakers on Flathead Lake, I gave it a try.  BANG!  Two nice ling within a short time which gave me my limit thus ending my fishing trip.

I'm convinced that the locals I saw at a distance were really onto something.  Anyone out there who can shed light on proper the style jigs and methods to slay the ling, please feel free to comment here.  I'd like to learn the latest & greatest.  Thanks for reading.

[adam_mcd]

Most of the time big, noisy, and glow is the ticket.  Sometimes they like a dead stick, but not very often.  Don't forget big spoons.  You are on the right track.

[bowhtr]

last trip out we landed a few with glow buckshot however we were targeting walleye seems to work just fine

[BigSage]

Sounds like you have it figured out.  Lots of glow, lots of fresh scent/bait, lots of noise, lots of jigging.  You can't get too big of a jig for ling

[slickice]

When jigging ling, does size matter?  What about color?  As for sound, I considered adding a spinner blade to the line above the jig.  Is there any pre-made jigs on the market that will save me the experimentation ritual?   

[adam_mcd]

Sounds like you have it figured out.  Lots of glow, lots of fresh scent/bait, lots of noise, lots of jigging.  You can't get too big of a jig for ling

Sage is right on the fact that "you can't get too big".  Caught a 21 inch ling this last weekend, had a 9 inch trout in its belly.  Guess I know what to use for bait next time.(just kidding, before someone on here hangs me).

[Desperado]

 here's an idea on how Big of Size you can go up to ... and believe me it still works
 the jigs an plastics are both glow (white/neon green)

[Desperado]

 I usually rip that pretty hard for a minute then let it rest half a minute, then repeat

 Have a half ounce round head glow jig under a bobber nearby with bait that will disperse smell into the water, (think oily and smelly like Whitefish)

 usually the glow of the one I'm jigging and the vibrations from those plastic tails will bring them in from a distance
 then during the pause from jigging; if they are close enough to smell the bait under the bobber, that's what they will hit

[Desperado]

if you're a hunter,

 think of jigging the plastics as your call

and the bobber as a decoy soaked with doe in heat urine

 the call is gonna bring 'em in, but when they see and smell the decoy; that's what their gonna attack

[Desperado]

 Ling are creatures of the night like owls
 and it IS dark down there
 so they are used to hunting via sound like owls, so give 'em that vibration or rattle
 
 and Ling ARE NOT SHY or finicky like walleyes can be
 so don't be afraid to be aggressive
 If a big ling does hit the hook on your jigging setup while your holding that rod; hold on tight or you'll lose the rod, keep hold of the rod and your shoulder will likely drop to the bottom edge of your ribcage