Thread: Just Learning Longlining...Another Question

Sounds like you got it right so far. I use 1/32 jigs when they get shallower ...say 3 to 6 feet...they seem to hang up less, but I know trollers who just kick up the speed and stick to 1/16's. I vary speed with the fish's preference, if you pick up fish on your outer rods on a turn...maybe they want it faster...inner rods....slower. When the bite really gets hot 1/32 [email protected] has been deadly for me. oh...and I rarely double jig unless I need to get deep...too many tangles for me...to each his own....

i all most allways use single jig unless im goin deeper then 12 foot my resoning behind it is i have it kinda worked out how deep i am with how much line i got out with a 1/16 and a 1/32 yea ill use a 1/32 goin shallower then 5 foot can allso use a float and slow down too under 5 foot
now as for the 100's of colors out there i use the old brite for clear to light stained and cark from light stained to muddy and i try to keep changing them out as i get more bites on one then anouther but i belive thats its speed and pres over color

I use single mainly because the lake I fish 99% is very stumpy and some days I tie jigs more than I fish, or so it seems. I usually just add a split shot about 18" up from the jig to get deeper. The depth I want to try to get to is the deciding factor on what size split shot and my speed. I do double jig occasionally and that does work well also.

Originally Posted by gabowman

So....what's the skinny on all this longlining? Am I trying to put more into it than it is and am I overthinking it? Or is it really that complicated (and that includes the color thing too)?:o

Thanks guys.

No, you are certainly not overthinking at all, there is a lot to consider....everything from wind speed in relation to your boat, trolling motor speed, jig head weight, line weight/diameter, amount of line let out, etc.....and EVERY one of those variables is critical in catching fish.

I personally like to always have two jigs tied on just to increase my odds of catching. A couple of weeks ago I was longlining with double 1/8s. I was getting my jigs down to 15' deep at 1mph. I vary my speeds between .7 and 1.4 mph depending on the depth of the fish, water temp and how aggresive the fish are. In the middle of the spawn you can really pick up the speed and cover alot of water. I've seen people use tripple 1/16 but I've had trouble trying that myself. I don't think there's any rules to any of it. It's just whatever is working at the time. Instead of going single though I'll shorten my line and still use doubles.

From what I understand, you've been talking to Derrick a good bit. He's the master. Just go with what HE says. I just hung up with him and he told me where you've been

Originally Posted by score300

From what I understand, you've been talking to Derrick a good bit. He's the master. Just go with what HE says. I just hung up with him and he told me where you've been

Yea, Ive been talking with Derrick.:D He's a good dude that has helped me out alot. I'm doing alot of posting about trying to learn the ropes about all this longlining so I dont bother him too much, along with getting some prespective from others like yourself. Derrick has put me on some big crappie the past week. We've shared a little info before and hopefully I'll be able to help him out again one day too.

I learned about half what I know about longlining from him. The other half came from trial and error and Crappie.com. I'll be out there tomorrow on those biguns you all have been catching.:D