Thread: Jigging

Originally Posted by gabowman

So.....all good i9nfo but I havent read anything about jig color. From my longlining experience I can tell that on certain days the fish seem to like one color over another. With only one pole how do you know which color to start with and when it's time to change it?

I keep 4 or 5 rods ready with different (usually my favorite) colors. Rotate through those different colors while fishing, if they don't produce like I think they should, I'll put on 4 or 5 other colors. Usually, the fish will give you some hints like you'll catch a few on a dark color, then you know to experiment with dark colors. Most lakes will have a few colors that are almost always productive, it takes time on the water (or a really good fishing friend that has spent time on the water) to learn these things. You can also ask at the local bait shop, but be weary, the "HOT" color may just be whatever the bait shop needs to sell.

Trolling or single pole. First rod always gets my favorite color. Blue/chart. Second rod usually gets the newest color I have. I've noticed lots of small yellow bugs around trees and falling from trees. Typical for spring. Also hatching on the lake bottom. This is when I start using yellows. I agree, that I always fish my favorite colors harder then others. Color chose for the fish can change every hr. If I'm not getting bit I change.

Long hiatus from CDC, but, lots of replies here about fishing minnows in the winter and leaving the jigging to warm weather. I havent bought a minnow in years, but then again havent fished that much the last few years (thats changing now). What I can say is we put a 2 man limit in the boat with ice forming in the guides two weeks ago, and ice in the boat where water would splash out of the open livewell, on jigs. Im 110% confident that bite would've never taken place on minnows. I don't use them in cold weather. Jigs only. Sometimes I think they only bite it out of annoyance. Fickle bite, but we caught a TON of fish. Fish seemed to get in tune with the speed the jig was being fished, and could glide up with the jig in their mouth. That classic "feeding up" but not fast enough to slack out the line. You just had to pay attention to the change in the harmonics of the subtle "jigging" action (more or less natural hand quivering), and speed up and set the hook when it changed.

We have found the following to be our first choice non-bait setup for single pole shallow crappie casting/ retrieving / jigging:

1. 6 ft ultralight pole with UL spinning reel
2. 4 lb mono your choice
3. 1/16 oz or 1/32" lead heads painted hot pink with painted eyes
4. Mister twister curly single tail chartreuse with silver flake 1-1/2" or just plain chartreuse
5. light weighted 1.5" casting bobber your choice , attached approx 3 foot above the jig


Toss the jig toward shore.

Let jig sink. Wait 4 seconds. Crank it 4 feet. Stop, let jig sink. wait 4 seconds.

Repeat

Crappies seem to like it when it drops and settles. Keep watch on the bobber. The hit will be light but noticeable. No second chances.
Set the hook with high pole lift.

Change twister colors as needed. Smoke with glitter is another good color we have found . Cheers!





Walmarts usually has these in stock.....sometimes rare now @ Covid shortage


DANMAN