My jigs always are on the bottom!

[Sailor Jerry]

I keep trying to jig for Crappie as it seems like the most popular off shore fishing techinque, however it's always dragging on the bottom. I'm running 1/32oz Maribou Jigs and no matter how soon I start reeling after it hits the water, I know it's dragging on the bottom.

I hold my rod straight out and a little downward from me, is this why?
Ah!

[Barnacle Bill]

Reel in a little faster.

[deathb4disco]

I'm running 1/32oz Maribou Jigs and no matter how soon I start reeling after it hits the water, I know it's dragging on the bottom.

This can't be true unless you're fishing in one foot of water. How deep is the water you're in? How do you know the jigs on the bottom?

[Sailor Jerry]

feeling rocks and limbs. Feels a lot different then a hit from a fish and i'm casting about 15 ft straight out - had to be at least 10+ deep. And I'm reeling it as slow as possible because thats the way everyone is sayin' to reel it. Maybe I'm just losing my mind, that's always a possibility

[OKSTATEjiggy]

casting jigs or jigging jigs? yeah, reel it in faster

[Arkie John]

Just reel a little faster or, when you cast count it down 1-1000, 2-1000 etc until your line goes slack. Now you know approximate depth of the water you're casting to. Now cast again and, once again, count down only as far as you want to fish and begin your retrieve.

Maybe a jig with more 'body' will do better for you. Try a maribou jig, a beetlespin or something like that. I use weedless jigs 99% of the time so I don't lose so many.

Hope this helps.

aj

[feelay]

Use a slip float.

[HurricaneJM]

i fish 1/32 jigs in 20 feet of water in the warmer months and i have never had that problem. I actually wish i could keep it down closer to the bottom. that light of a jig actually takes its time getting to the bottom. If i were you, i wouldnt cast out as far and try some more vertical jigging. it works great for finding the depth the crappie are holding

[deathb4disco]

If i were you, i wouldnt cast out as far and try some more vertical jigging. it works great for finding the depth the crappie are holding

Agreed. Also, check out a method called "vertical casting". Crappiepappy has posted about it, and I'm pretty sure there's an article on the main page about it. I have used it quite a bit over the years.

[gabowman]

Use a slip float.

Ditto!