I haven't fished jigs as much as I should,(raised on drift gear,plugs). Any one way better than another to fish them?? Please give me some feedback on ways you've found effective!!!
Thanx

Jigs and floats can be extremely deadly and should be a part of everyones arsenal. The keys are proper presentation and size and color of the jig. It's important that the jig be fished at as close to a dead drift as possible, you don't want the jig being pulled down the river by the current which is going to mean controlling the line from the rod to the float. A long rod is a must for most jig fishing situations(10 1/2 foot or longer). You can get away with shorter rods on small rivers but for most situations a long rod is a plus, you want to keep the line from the rod to the float upstream of the float for a proper drift. Jigs are usually fished close to the bottom but not on the bottom....fish in warmer water(summer time) will move alot farther for a jig than fish in cold water so you can fish jigs in the summer farther up in the water column than you would in the winter where it pays to have the jig closer to the fish, but as a general rule a foot off the bottom works well. As for sizes of jigs smaller works better in slower water conditions and in heavier flows I'll go to a heavier jig. As a general rule use smaller darker jigs in the summer time when flows are down and heavier lighter colored jigs in heavier flows that are encountered in late fall and winter. We had low flows last winter and found the fish to prefer small dark jigs that we would usually consider to be choices for summer fish...it pays to experiment with jig colors at times, though I usually run 1/4 oz in the winter and 1/8th or 1/16th oz in the summer. As for floats most anything will work though I prefer an oval stemmed float such as a Thill, which can be rigged fixed or slip. Use a good quality line and you should be set. Hope this helps!

I have found what works best for me is to have the most natural presentation possible. I like to fish water that has a steady current flow so a fish will have to make a decision on whether to take your jig or not. I also prefer using 1/4-oz jigs for winter steelhead so the jig can get down quickly and stay directly under the float. Fishing with jigs under a float is a fun way to catch a lot of fish.

Mark

[ 11-06-2001: Message edited by: First Cast ]

I agree with everything jigman says.
When starting out, you may want to experiment with floats. The wood floats can be expensive, and you will lose a few while learning... I like the newer foam floats that are dark grey (I forget the brand).
You can also add bait or a pink rubber worm. You can find jigs that are made just for this purpose (harness style). Scent is a good thing to try, but be careful not to mess up your marabou...

I've also been experimenting with jigs fished without a float. Depending on the type of salmon/steelhead, the type of water, and water conditions, the technique will vary. Try light weight jigs cast and retreived with a slight up and down jigging motion. If the fish won't hit them in the upper to mid water column, try a heavier jig cast out and walked back up the bottom to you. Be prepared to lose a few jigs this way! I've had good luck with silvers and chum this way. Haven't tried it with others yet. Just don't be a snagger! If you start snagging, change your technique or put on a float...
And finally, you can fish spinners under a float as well. This can be very effective when the fish prefer a slower presentation. Just pick spinners that produce a lot of action with little resistance. Try dead drifting (the currents will move the blade just enough) or applying a little back pressure so the spinner is just downstream of the float.

Jigs are great because you can work a lot more water. Chuck you float up into that canyon that is impossible to fish, or free spool it down into that nasty log jam that eats drift gear. Just always be ready for the strike. A lot of fish are missed due to slack in the line.

Good luck!
-Chad

They work great.............if you can't feel a bite with a drift rod! j/k Sometimes jigs outfish everything, I just try to only use em' when thats the case. Personally I do much better with eggies or shrimp under the ol dinkaroo. But when its too sticky or slow the floats the way to go. Wow, I sound like RT, writin' songs and ****. I remeber one day on the shush-shush river. The fish wouldn't touch drift gear, but we hooked so many DANDY nates we went through about 40 jigs! By the end of the day we were talkin' like Bill Dance. Come er' ya pretty littl' thang! I mean we were reefin' fish in all day. And the jigs were the ticket!

Yup, somtimes jigs are the only way. Last winter was a good example in the low water Jigs outfished gear many times.

I guess the real question is, what gives you the most satisfaction? Jigs, eggs, drift, float, plugs, spoons, the list goes on and on. It all boils down to one thing, presentation. Is your offering in the zone and do the fish like it or really like it(hate it). I agree with jigman 100%, also focus on the correct water for the tech your using. I'm not a float & jig expert by any means but I do know in the right conditions they are absolutely deadly! Also in very deep holes......aw nevermind! Put it this way.........you don't need a leader.

Fishnbuddee,

A slow retrieve with a rod twitching action on a straight jig without a float is not only effective for silvers, but works well on steelhead too (especially for summers).

I also have taken to using the Thill 'Steelheader' clip on float so I can quickly change from adjustable fixed float fishing to drift fishing a jig in faster water without a float. First Cast jigs are good for this because the brass bead heads won't chip; or snag up as often.

Both those non-float methods work with feathered jigs and rubber worms in jigheads.

RT

Thank you for all your feedback, I came to the right place to get info!!!!! How do you feel about baited jigs?? Some jigs have the loops for bait, but I think if you are going to all the trouble to load a jig up w/ bait, why not just load up a 1/0 Gammie w/ a chunk of yarn and save the $1.99 ???

Here's my .02 on this....there is a time and place to fish jigs effectively,I carry several rods on my Cataraft.
So I'm ready when I encounter a stretch of water that screams for Hardware or a different set-up.
Some times I'll float a jig thru a hole just for a test,Then follow it up something else....whamm!!! fish on!
and sometimes it' works the other way too.
With the way conditions were last year low and clear,I had a killer year fishing just a Silent Approach Jig on a fixed float.
I'm not a big fan of Tipping my jig with bait,
I agree,why not just use a hook and yarn
But sometimes this can make the difference,

A lot of rivers I fish have bait restrictions,So you better have you're stuff together,
presentaion is the key and of course you need a Killer jig and you need to have several different designs and colors.
I've fished next to friends who were fishing a standard pink and white maribou Jig and catching fish (brats)
So I chose something completely different in design and color and can't keep the bruiser nates off

For those who want to get in to Jig and float fishing,all I can say is leave you're drift rod at home for a trip or 2 and give it an honest effort,you'll be surprised at the results.....Os

That is good advise Os. After learning the basics of jig fishing, which isn't difficult, leave the bait rods at home and just bring a variety of good jigs and jig rod only to a river that has fish in and is on the clearish side. This will make you stick with it and you will be on your way. And be amazed at how productive these little lures can be much of the time.

Rainbow, Silent Approach, BeauMac, and First Cast are all good jigs. And all fun!

RT

I've probably said it before, but I've caught more steelies on a float-N-jig setup than any other. Don't get me wrong, I drift fish, spinner fish, fly fish too, but floats-N-jigs are almost too much fun!
I mostly go with rabbit fur jigs though, and tie my own. I guess I'm a little weird, I make up my own spinners, tie my flies, make slinkies too, just adds a bit more to my overall appreciation and satisfaction. Plus you get more for your money when you buy the stuff and make your own gear. As Rt1 said though, if you don't stick with it, you won't be good at it. So get out there and give it a try.