How can I tell how deep my jig is? And other questions on depth.

I've seen Youtube videos and articles recommending to "let your jig hit the bottom" and then pull it up a bit. Others talk about "counting it down" to depth, or otherwise knowing how deep it is.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any information about how to know how deep the jig is. I can't even tell when mine hit bottom, and I certainly can't tell how deep they are when I'm retrieving them.

Also, if I start my retrieve at a certain depth, will the jig stay at that depth until it gets pretty close back to me?

I understand why depth is so important when fishing, but I just can't figure out how to use it to my advantage. Any tips for a newbie on all this?

You can tell your jig is on the bottom when your line goes slack and lays on the water. The weight of the jig will keep the line taut until it stops falling. Counting down is dependent on the weight of the lure. Most people use the 1 foot per second theory but again that varies from lure to lure. Unless the lure has a diving ability like a crankbait, it will slowly rise the whole way back to the rod tip.

I believe that the easiest way to control the depth of a jig is to use a float. Use a slip bobber and stop if wanting to get deep. Use a fixed bobber if going shallow.

As silverside notes above, everybody uses the "one foot per second" rule even though everybody's using different jigs and different line. They can't all be right. ;)

I use the "countdown" method. If I countdown to eight, is my jig 8' deep? Or is it 9'? Or 10'? Does it matter? IMO, it's not necessary to know the exact depth. What's important is being able to get back to the magic depth on every cast. That's what the countdown method allows you to do.

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Originally Posted by FarmGyy

Also, if I start my retrieve at a certain depth, will the jig stay at that depth until it gets pretty close back to me?

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The other guys answered the other questions, so I'll tackle this one. My answer would be .... uhhh, no, well "maybe". :biggrin It would all depend on the rate of your retrieve, weight of the jig, line diameter & type, the gear ratio of the reel you're using, wind direction & speed, rod angle, etc. etc. .... anyway, a lot of that only adds or subtracts "inches" of difference in the depth of your jig throughout the majority of your retrieve.

I make multiple casts to a spot, and either count down an extra second or two on each following cast or slow down how fast I turn the reel handle. That way I am covering that spot in approx. 1 foot increments of depth. I already know that when I cast 40ft away, have my rod angled at about the 10 o:clock position, and turn the reel handle just fast enough to keep a slight bow in the line (from rod tip to water's surface) that my 1/16oz jig on 6lb test line is going to reach about 8ft deep at it's deepest point. Only after I don't get bit at that depth, do I let the jig dive deeper (using the count down or slowed retrieve to add that depth). Most of the time, the Crappie around here are going to be between the 6-15ft depths (when & where I fish). Any shallower than that and I'm usually casting a 1/16oz marabou Road Runner and retrieving at a steady speed (where there is no bow in the line).

When casting a jig, I want the bow in the line so I can "see" the line jump (thump) rather than feel it ... because if I can feel it, so can the fish. And a fish can blow the bait back out of its mouth a lot faster than I can react & set the hook. But, on the semi-loose line, the resistance of the rod tip is lessened and only the weight of the bow of line above water is the resistance that the fish feels.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FarmGyy

I've seen Youtube videos and articles recommending to "let your jig hit the bottom" and then pull it up a bit. Others talk about "counting it down" to depth, or otherwise knowing how deep it is.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any information about how to know how deep the jig is. I can't even tell when mine hit bottom, and I certainly can't tell how deep they are when I'm retrieving them.

Also, if I start my retrieve at a certain depth, will the jig stay at that depth until it gets pretty close back to me?

I understand why depth is so important when fishing, but I just can't figure out how to use it to my advantage. Any tips for a newbie on all this?

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Probably the only way to know exactly would be to do it in a large swimming pool with a underwater camera,but even that wouldn't be exact because you have to factor in the wind, current, etc.

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Originally Posted by FarmGyy

Any tips for a newbie on all this?

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I highly recommend this book if you want to learn jig fishing:

https://www.sliderfishing.com/produc...&categoryId=67

I will suggest perhaps the easiest way to tell how deep you are.
1. Bring a black "Sharpie" pen with you.
2. get to your spot and drop your line to find bottom.
3. Mark your line while on bottom and reel up a few turns to desired depth.
4. This will allow you to let out line almost to the mark.

Now if you want to know the exact depth in feet then you can take a tape measure and measure your line from the jig to the mark you made compensating for the line on the rod and not in the water. You can strip the line into the boat with you and prevent tangling while measuring. Easy peasy.

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Originally Posted by SlabSlider

I will suggest perhaps the easiest way to tell how deep you are.
1. Bring a black "Sharpie" pen with you.
2. get to your spot and drop your line to find bottom.
3. Mark your line while on bottom and reel up a few turns to desired depth.
4. This will allow you to let out line almost to the mark.

Now if you want to know the exact depth in feet then you can take a tape measure and measure your line from the jig to the mark you made compensating for the line on the rod and not in the water. You can strip the line into the boat with you and prevent tangling while measuring. Easy peasy.

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I think he's referring to "casting/retrieving" and not knowing how deep his jig is, rather than vertical jigging as you've described.

It may also be that he has no depth finder & therefore unaware of how deep the water is to begin with .... :dono

I have two methods that I use in jigging and how deep is my jig?

1. Put a bobber stop on your line, like used with a slip bobber, slide it up the line to about 4 feet. If shallow, put it in the water and lower to the bottom. Now, where is the bobber stop? I like to find the bottom and raise it up a bit. Also a good thump indicator.

2. Fly line strike indicator. Use the same as bobber stop, just a little more visible.

Both allow you to focus attention on the line where it should be.

Catch a bunch .

My suggestion is use heavier jig , lighter line or both if you cannot feel the jig . But I vertical jig :twocents