[617110]

Hello Folks,

I am glad to see that the website is up today as I sit home dreaming about fishing while the wind blows outside my window. I did make it out last night with sub-par results not worth talking about.

Anyway, I usually fare pretty well with diamond jigs for blues, weaks, and fluke. However, I have never really tried it for Bass. I am looking for another method to try when I am marking fish and the baits I am offering are not producing. I usually go out with two types of bait.

What size diamond jig is preferred. A large one? A small one? Or the first one that holds bottom consistently? Do I need pork rind or can I use a squid strip or worm? Or should I just use a colored surgical tube at the end and jig that?

Please let me know what you folks think.

Thanks,
somo

 

[paulh]

for the south shore i get by with a single free swinging hook, 2 or 4 oz jigs. no tube, no bait, no nothing. drop straight to the bottom and bounce using a snappy 1-3 ft lift of the rod. let the jig freefall each time and make it hits bottom each time down. another technique is squidding. let the jig hit bottom, take 4-8 quick turns of the reel handle, let the jig fall again to the bottom and repeat. these techniques can be deadly and a lot of fun to boot. if the fish are on top, cast into the school but don't real as fast as you might for blues. good luck and have fun.

 

[617110]

Thanks Paul, I had a feeling it was going to be that easy. I fish the South Shore as well.

I assume you have to set the hook pretty quick since they will know immediately that it's not what they want.

Anybody else with pointers?

 

[PorgyMan]

Ditto on paulh's techniques for jigging bass. In the Western Sound, I like to use the A17 diamond jigs (no tubes) and put a slight bend in the eye. Makes it wobble a little more.

 

[619627]

Somoan....it depends what area you are fishing for the bass....At Montauk, you have to use 6-8oz jigs most of the time, due to the strong currents. Here in the Bight, the perfect jig was the A27 diamond jig, with no bend. PaulH gave you a excellent synopsis of how to fish the diamond jig. I sometimes, apply a jigging technique that fresh water bass fishermen use when we target smaller bass when using leadheads. But with diamond jigs, the key is to follow the jig down! The hits will come on the descent of the jig. This is another topic where we are going to have to post some pics of a custom made diamond jig, that was used by this areas greatest striped bass fishermen.

EC NEWELL MAN*

 

[617110]

Looks like braid

EC,

On the descent huh?
Just like weakies. Looks like I might have to employ the powerpro for this in order to maintain better contact with the jig. I'll try it with mono first, but for jigging I usually opt the braid especially when the contact comes on the downward movement. I just happen to have two A27's in the tackle box, never used, and I can't remember when or why I bought them.

Thanks everybody,

somoan

 

[Matts]

slow it down

I've found stripers need a slower retrieve than blues. I've had good results casting away from the boat, sweeping the rod to the side, then reeling in the slack as the jig sinks. The fish usually hit on the drop, so you've got to pay attention. The same goes for deep verticle jigging. The fish will hit on the drop, so you've got to hit them quick and reel to keep the line tight, as the rod is likely to be way over you're head.. For unhooking, I put the bend of the hook in the crook of the gaff, pull the line down and thye drop right off.

 

[614048]

Matts has given good advice on the retrieve speed. I'll add that the jig should be kept near the bottom, no more than 5-7 turns off. Heavier jigs make it easier to keep near the bottom.

 

[togmaster]

What we call pounding

Well many have there way of working a jig but the most popular is a method called Pounding. This is where you will lift the rod and let the jig drop freely on the bottom. Then reel 5 or so cranks slowly on the retrieve. Then lift and let it drop again. Make sure you have enough line out to hit the bottom. The fish will usually hit on the drop and a small lift and start cranking is the best way to hit them. Remember bass can spit jigs very easily so you must not jerk the rod hard. A steady reel is important and try not to pump the rod if possible. Also never reel against your drag if the fish wants to run let him go. Some times by thumbing the fish you can pop the line or create a hole which the jig hook can be spit. The key to landing a fish when jigging is constant pressure no Slack at all. You get slack you get nothing. I cannot tell you how many times I see guys drop the rod tip and give that little bit of slack which lets the fish get off the jig. Use your head and never give them slack!

 

[Billy40]

You fishin' on a Party Boat? If so, I suggest keeping the braid off the reel. Keep in mind the direction of the drift. Don't let the jig drift a mile away from the boat, and don't keep letting out line under the boat. If possible cast upcurrent, and let the jig drift back to the boat, using the above techniques. I catch most fish if I can get into a certain spot away from everyone and cast 45 degrees upcurrent, and let the jig swim broad way's in the current.

And no worms on the jig hook, please. Even if someone else catches a fish on it, be Strong, and keep using the plain hook. lol.

 

[togmaster]

Little trick for you billy>

Billy you say no worms but before you condem it I was using ava 17's with a power bait worm and did great on the weakfish this year. Some days its all they wanted. So before you shut down the facts it can work. Also you must change your hooks if you want to tip it off with a worm! Small live bait hooks worked well 2/0 3/0 and just put the hook in and out once! Hey try it you might like it?

 

[TROUTER775]

Jigging for Stripers

Hi guys:

How, if at all, do you change the retrieve if you are fishing from the surf? Thanks for your input.

Arnie (TROUTER775)

 

[ericg]

trouter a krocodile spoon from the surf would be more effective in my opinion, its kind of a form of jig but meant to swim horizontally more than vertically,crome for a cloudy day gold for a sunny day, try different retrieves, some days the bass eat these like candy.....

 

[stevepanther]

try taking 4-5 medium retrives then 1 fast one alot of times the fish will follow the jig when u take the fast one the fish will think the bait is getting away and crush it