Thread: Working Jigs with no bobber?

just wondering how you guys who fish jigs tipped with artificial's use those around cover in shallow water. weed edges and such. When I fish docks and boat launches i usually vertical jig, how should I work shallow cover like mat beds, sandy bottoms ETC. Without the use of a cork?

I too use jigs on ocasion and fish them just deep enough where
they Don't drag through the gunk and the moss,But it will be fun
when you catch one with that little bit of line out.You may also
try a slip cork.hope these Ideas help.I too am gonna try to go tommorrow.

Happy Fishing,Tree Fishing

I just fish them tightlined with either a 1/8 or 1/4 oz jighead, and drop it down til it hits the bottom and slowly work it back up with a little side to side motion and keep the line tight the entire time, you should feel them when they thump it.

I don't know if you can very effectively. The cork is what keeps it at a certain depth & keeps it in the strike zone longer. I think as they get shallower for spawning, you will need some presentation that doesn't require you to be right on top of them. BUT! I may be wrong, I am new to the game. But that's what I read anyway... Hope this helps some. Jimmy.

Originally Posted by FishersOfMen

The cork is what keeps it at a certain depth & keeps it in the strike zone longer.

This is true, but if for some reason you are not in the strike zone, the cork will keep you out of it, and by titelining them, you can change your depth and location with slow movements, and if you happen to get hung, you can pull the end of the rod down and jiggle and usually get the jig free. But don't get me wrong, I grew up using a cork/float to fish them and I still like to do that. I just found that titelining works sometimes when corks don't and vise versa.

I fish jigs all the time and never use a cork. I use a long rod either 7 or 10 foot. I cast it toward the bank or cover and feel it down on a tight line. I usually swim it a couple of feet below the surface on the first cast and then deeper on each additional cast until I find a level that they want. By using a longer rod and holding the tip very high, you can control the depth better and keep the jig in the strike zone longer. Also since I'm fishing a jig, I jig it all the way to the boat. My rod is never still.

"gene"

I choose to agree and disagree, I fish solely verticial no cork and I don't always jig it sometimes hold it as still as possible other times jig the tip of the rod 10-12 rods never ever spider rig no fun that way. but it's your choice on what you like. is the best way

All good advice you have gotten here. Sooner or later you'll just find what works for you, as I am just now learning what works for me this time of year.
I fished a cypress garden this evening where I was really enclosed in and not much room for extension or error w/o making too much of a racket. But once I caught my first one I knew the color I was using would work (even though the three previous colors I was using might've worked with the same technique), I knew the average depth I got the bite and since I knew I had accidently caught it on an abnormal fall, I adjusted everything from that.
I let out more line than the depth I caught at and played the line back close to the reel with my other hand. Pendulum'd it out in a pitch form w/o moving my rod much and felt it all the way down til it was vertical with my rod tip. Even past my initial depth guess, til it hit the bottom. Rather than raising my pole to get my jig in eye range, I just worked it from the line close to the reel with my other hand.
Worked like a charm (might've just been that I caught 'em
@ the right time too...I haven't found too much repetition in shallow water fishing yet) AND I caught my first 2lb fish of the year.

G'luck man,
Adam

In my opinion when the fish are in the shallows they aren't always there to feed. Therefore the strikes you get may be to protect the nest especially if it's a male. I would tight line as much as possible because you will need to feel the strike and set the hook as quickly before they spit it out if the fish's intentions are not to eat it. Similar to a bass picking up a worm by the tail just to move it off the bed. Now if the water is clear, you may want to use a foam cork that is quiet hitting the water. (attach a split shot right below the cork so you can still cast it a good distance). Use the cork because you can cast it and work your jig back to you without spooking the fish with your boat due to clear water. (Example would be Caney, very clear water). When jigging, I hardly move my jig at all. Every now and again I will jolt my wrist slightly for a reaction strike. Most of the time, if you're near a white perch with the right color, they're going to hit it so personally, I don't put too much emphasis in working my jig a lot.

all very good advice . Everything has a time and a place that it works best . when I;m in less than 3 ft of water I may use a small cork , are if looking for fish on a shallow bank , but I do like to feel the fish you will miss alot of fish with a cork because you can;t well the hit are feel it inhale the jig and your line go lite well good luke