Jigging Questions and Gaining Confidence

[Scott McKee]

I have no qualms about admitting that I am a terrible jig fisherman.  I have caught a handful of muskies jigging, but I still lack confidence in jigging when I’m doing it.  Not jigging as a technique to land muskies, the results of which make it the unquestionably most efficient way to catch muskies in the Niagara River for an overwhelming portion of the season, I lack confidence in what I’m doing.  Should I be cast jigging on the bottom or working the bait higher in the water column?  Should I be dragging tubes or shads?  What size weight should I be using?  My problem with jigging is that I am continually second guessing myself and unless a fish hits early in the day, I always feel I am doing something wrong.   When it comes to casting structure with conventional lures, I am always confident I’ll at least see fish.  Trolling in general and especially under prime time conditions, I will be chomping at the bit to hit spots I think will hold fish under the circumstances.  When it comes to jigging, I feel lost out there.  I was hoping that some of you “jiggers” would give me a few tips on the subject to help me build some confidence and eliminate that “lost” feeling when I make my yearly effort to become a better jig fisherman.  Any information you might share would be greatly appreciated.

[John Miller]

Igg, its impossible to do something wrong.  All the above suggestions you listed will get you bit.  Just stick with it.  There is no science to it. 

[Bob Piazza]

What is the most productive method on the river? dragging along bottom or working it (hopping, eratic. etc.)? I realize everything works at times but what is the old stand by? Dragging? Casting? Thanks in advance. BP

[Scott McKee]

I let the jiggers field this one.  Marc and Josh can catch more muskies jigging for a few hours in their septic tanks than I have in seven years.

[Josh Ketry]

I think the real key to gaining confidence is having a rod that you can FEEL the bottom with, and thus feel your strikes with. If you can't feel the bottom (or if you have moss or other debris on your line) then confidence goes way down.

[jojo wilczewski]

Good Day

Josh is right you must be on the bottom every time. I considerate it a deep water jerk bait. I have a very hard time putting on a dress and going drag. I know it works and do try to do it but have little confidence. I perfer to do the jig, continually lifting and dropping the lure. I am very careful to never let the line go slack on the way down, always placing it down. Anticipating  the bottom and sharply lifting/ jigging it so it has less chance to snag up.  Try to only lift from 8 oclock to 10:30 saving 10:30 to 12 to set the hook?  I usually get the hits on the rise. Which looks like a fleeing bait fish from a big set of teeth, just what a bait fish would do when it sees a Musky looking at him to eat???

  I use Shmo Blades , in Charteuse and Blood, my ulitmate confidence bait and can go for days and months without stopping,(I wish). By far my best producer of Musky, probably since I use it the most. Much perfering it to a troll, also easier when the weeds are thick and only dropping it straight down to avoid them. I also use ROB,  Shmo turkey tails, Shmo Buck tails,  Shmo Racoon tails  all on 3 oz heads and swim shads. Caught fish on them all, but always go back to my blades.

jojo out

[jojo wilczewski]

Good Day

Almost forgot the where part? Behind everything all islands, points, humps, rocks, trenches, and channel markers. Anything the Musky can hide behind and wait to ambush. Remember that almost every Musky ever recaught in our old tagging program never moved more then one mile when recaptured. One surrived the falls and a few moved a little more but not much. They sit and wait for the river to bring them dinner.  Also remember that the channel markers show us three things. One, they show us the channel which is a ridge , a hiding spot. Second, they show us a easily marked channel marker, which has a cable and a 3x3 cement block at the base to hold it, a hiding spot. I pull up to them and start jigging right behind them, I call it "kick the can" . Third, they sometimes show us a point or a ridge at the narrowest part of the channel. If a  10'-14' ridge extends from shore it has to be marked so the ships do not run aground. The Coast Guard markes these shallow spots with markers so the ships can avoid them. Which is why the channel weaves down the river.

  Finally you can jig "out the back". If the wisher in front is "walking the line", casting the weed line, the wisher in back can cast out off the weed line and jig or jerk.

Ala bala bala

jojoout

[Bob Piazza]

Joe,

Whats a schmo blade look like? A heddon sonic or a silver bullet?  I think you mean a big vibrating metal jig right?

[jojo wilczewski]

Correct  I have a mold to make my own.

Ala bala bala

jojoout

[John Miller]

All true, great explanation!