Dragging Jigs?

[Todd2]

When you drag a jig out in deep water (or shallow for that matter), how do you work it? Drag to side with tip down, drag by lifting rod, or just by slowly reeling, or else? Thanks...Todd

[MarkH024]

When you drag a jig out in deep water (or shallow for that matter), how do you work it? Drag to side with tip down, drag by lifting rod, or just by slowly reeling, or else? Thanks...Todd

Whatever gets the job done. Seriously...dragging it is maintaining contact so just get it done. I like to keep my tip up and just slow reel. An occasional hop here and there doesn't hurt.  

[mnbassman23]

If I am dragging and hoping a jig I will work it with the rod tip up and directly in front of me. When I'm focusing on just dragging the jig slowly I tend to work it with the rod to the side. Really it comes down to personal preference and what you are comfortable with. 

[Siebert Outdoors]

I always drag a jig by moving the rod up and not to the side.  It helps me keep from digging the jig into big chunk rocks and getting hung up.

[MarkH024]

I always drag a jig by moving the rod up and not to the side.  It helps me keep from digging the jig into big chunk rocks and getting hung up.

That's a great point made. Take it from the expert jig man! 

[lmbfisherman]

I always drag a jig by moving the rod up and not to the side.  It helps me keep from digging the jig into big chunk rocks and getting hung up.

This is what I normally like to do. 

[WRB]

I rarely drag a jig slowly along a flat soft bottom, it's not jig water to me. If the bottom has a slope, then I will work a jig by retrieving it mostly with the reel and keeping the rod tip pointed at the V where the line enters the water. The speed depends on what the bass react to; usually start with 1 reel handle turn and pause until the line jumps slack when the jig makes contact with the bottom, then shake the reel handle a few times and pause agian to watch the line with the line over my index finger for strike indication. Depending on the angle of the slope; light slope maybe a 1/2 reel handle turn and use the rod to lift the jig off the bottom or over some obstickle, however I prefer to keep the rod tip low as possible so I can make a fast reel/ rod sweep set if I think the bass may have picked up my jig, a lot of rocks are bass!

Tom

[Catt]

Rod tip up & use your reel to slowly drag your jig!

[Grizzn N Bassin]

rod tip up... and I use my reel as well

[Team9nine]

I'll be the oddball but when I'm dragging, which is usually a football head jig, I keep the rod low, about parallel to the water and drag off to the side, perhaps like you might move a Carolina rig.  I prefer to keep a lower rod/line angle because I want that jig to stay down on the bottom contacting as much as possible - oh, and I rarely use the reel, I move the jig with the rod slowly sweeping. With rod tip up, I think it can be too easy to accidently lift the jig more than desired at times.

 

-T9

[papajoe222]

I sweep the rod to the side the same way I present a C-rig.  The only time I use the reel to move a jig is when I'm swimming it, but doing so appears to be advantageous as your rod tip can be held at the optimum angle for sensitivity and hook sets.  I'll have to try it next time I break out a  heavy football jig. 

Can you maintain bottom contact on say a 3/8oz jig when reeling?

[Todd2]

I'll be the oddball but when I'm dragging, which is usually a football head jig, I keep the rod low, about parallel to the water and drag off to the side, perhaps like you might move a Carolina rig. I prefer to keep a lower rod/line angle because I want that jig to stay down on the bottom contacting

-T9

Yeah, that's how I have been doing it too. But I started the thread to get some opinions. I think sometimes I'm getting hit when I'm reeling in slack for the next sweep. Thanks for all of the responses.

[Jrob78]

I'm a side dragger too.  I usually fish a football head jig like a c-rig.  I don't like to use the reel because I feel like it distracts me a little from what I'm feeling on the end of my line.  Dragging a football jig is about the only time I fish a jig like that.

[Bankbeater]

I move the rod tip up and down to hop the jig.  If I'm dragging to stir up the bottom I will hold the rod up and use the reel.

[Bluebasser86]

I drag by lifting straight up, from about 9 o' clock to 11 o' clock, no hops or bounces and trying to feel every rock and stick down there.