I would appreciate any helpful insight on jig fishing- (beau-mac) colors and sizes to use, correct depths, water, etc.

I'm a drifter, have tried it a few times w/ sliding bobber and chartreuse beau-mac but I'm not 'converted' yet. My uncle is a realitive neophyte and wants to go this week. I figure a jig and bobber is a good way for him to start.

P/S - can they be tipped effectively w/ bait?

Thanks in advance.

I generally save my jig fishing for cleaner flows personally, I do like to have the opportunity to yank fish out of some of the deep slow stuff that you can't get at in other ways.

Typically, I fish 1/4 oz. jigs most of the time myself. Genrally, you'll want to be within a foot of bottom, but in really deep water, they'll soemtimes suspend, so experiment some there.

A small hunk of prawn added seemed to out fish no bait about 2 to 1 for me when I did it side by side.

In the Beau-Mac Gammy-bous ... I liked the pink / white and cerise / black myself

I just started as well. I have had some good days and more bad days. I bought a couple of books and a video. Mostly they say to fish the seams ie where the fast water and the slow water colide. Also just like drift fishing behind large rocks where the seams are and the water back washes a little. I have found that the closer I fish to the bank in the places I described above the better I have done. But I have also had days where the fish surfaced less than 10 feet away from me and no matter what I threw out the fish would not hit the jig. I think the best thing to start out with is a balsa wook float. I like the one with a wire out the bottom that is the largest size I could find at my local out door store. It is big enough to handle an 1/8 oz. jig and 4 split shot and still float in fast water. I use 2-2.5 feet of stiff leader with some split shot on it to keep it down in the upward eddies. Some use a foam bobber the size depends on the size of jig you use or the amount of weight you want to use. I have found the smaller jigs work well but I am sure that it depends on the day and how the bite is and the time of day and the water you are fishing. The color; I have caught fish on all kinds of different colors. Pink is a good one to go with. Black and purple with a red head. It really is hard to say what are the best ones becuase I think that it depends on the day and what the fish want. One other thing, try using small pieces of shrimp/sand shrimp for some scent. I hope this helps. Good luck and good hunting.

There is nothing like watching that bobber go down. Great stuff. Where will you be fishing? I've noticed that each river has fish that will respond to different types of jigs. In smaller rivers/streams I use a small 1/16 oz nightmare jig exclusively (red, white, and black). Examples of those rivers are the Carbon, Salmon, Green, Kalama. In bigger rivers I step up to a 1/8 oz jig. Never throw a jig in water with limited visibility. Not worth your time. Think subtle colors in gin clear water. At first light, when it's barely light enough to see, try a pink jig with a chartruese tail. That is my go to jig at the beginnning and end of each day. If you use a maribou jig (the ones with fluffy feathers) be sure not to use ANY scent. It screws with the action immensely. Trust me from experience The smaller jigs with a tuff of yarn on the end can be smothered in shrimp oil or whatever scent you choose. I personally have had much better luck with those. Have fun. Run a fixed bobber and try to find the bottom during your drift. You'll notice the bobber hesitating and bumping around. Once you find the bottom adjust your bobber up about a foot. If you can get it in the strike zone watch out. I've seen guys throwing jigs with no success and some random guy comes up with his jig a foot higher or lower and kills em'. Best of luck. Great fun and easy for a beginner.
Cuttie

What color head do you have on the night mare jigs?