Using Jigs And Casting Them??

[bigbill]

I been using jigs in the past making shorter casts with my 5'6" bait casting rod. Buy my question is with my new 7' bait casting rod I can cast a jig as far as I can toss a topwater lure on my spinning outfit. Can a certain style of jig be casted too far? Is there a difference in distance when casting a swim jig when compared to a football jig we hop on the bottom? I was wondering if a longer cast will pass the point of a perfect presentation with the football jig. Do we lose some of the control on the longer casts. Sorry but fishing from shore I'm not sure if it can be a problem or not. In the past I worked the jigs up the Rocky points to the shoreline. Now with the 7' rod and casting much farther does the game change or not.

What do you guys do? I want to hear what the boat guys do?

I do have a habit of feathering my long casts back on my spinning reel sometimes when it's getting close to the other shoreline or towards the coattails.

[smalljaw67]

You can make long cast with any jig however I would recommend braided line for jigs with a heavy wire hook just because the amount of stretch mono and even flourcarbon has over a long distance. Now as far as the jigs I would cast far, number 1 would be a swim jig and yes, I believe in jigs that are designed to swim rather than swimming just any jig. Other jigs would be shaky heads, football jigs, and normal casting jigs, I would say a flipping jig if you are stroking but that is the only way I'm casting a flipping jig far. If you don't know what stroking is you can try it, you may end up with a pig and I have caught nice fish stroking a jig from shore so don't feel disadvantaged just because you aren't in a boat. To stroke a jig you need a jig, usually flipping as they tend to be heavier but any jig that is at minimum 1/2oz with 3/4oz being optimum and 1oz being at the end of the weight spectrum. Make a cast and let the jig hit bottom and then reel the slack just so the line is tight without moving the jig and then rip the jig up off the bottom, I swing my rod from the 4 0'clock position to the 1 0'clock position and then let the jig fall on a semi slack line making sure to watch for and abnormal movements or sudden stops as the fish normally hit the jig either on the fall or as soon as it hits bottom.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

You're more apt to hang up on long casts with jigs but it's a trade off when shore bound. From a boat, kayak etc. I'd reposition to keep casts a little shorter.

[SirSnookalot]

Being a saltwater fisheman I cast jigs for distance everyday, but the jigs are different.  Not that I don't use these same bucktails for bass fishing but casting distance is not a priorty.  If you happen to get a strike at distance even using braid the hook set is not as sure IMO, also you give the fish more time and distance to get unbuttoned.  I feel working a jig is more productive than "heave and retrieve" for bass, I'd stick with traditional bass type jigs and work em.

[Catt]

I cast a jig more than I flip/pitch/punch, I fish it like a Texas rig, & I do it with 15# Berkley Big Game.

There are 2 rods I keep rigged 24/7/365, a Texas rig & a Jig-N-Craw.

My standard weight jigs are 1\4 & 3\8

[WRB]

I cast jigs and fish them horizontal most of the time, but avoid retrieving them up hill. Being a shore angler and using spinning tackle makes casting a jig over 90' difficult to feel strikes. You can make the longer cast, just try to prevent retrieving directly up steeper banks. Make your at a angle so the jig is worked more parallel if possible or make shorter cast.

Lighter jigs in the 1/4 to 3/8 oz with longer shank premium hooks in 3/0 to 4/0 size head style is important, you want a stand up that doesn't roll over. A slider jig could work for you.

Tom

[new2BC4bass]

To stroke a jig you need a jig, usually flipping as they tend to be heavier but any jig that is at minimum 1/2oz with 3/4oz being optimum and 1oz being at the end of the weight spectrum. Make a cast and let the jig hit bottom and then reel the slack just so the line is tight without moving the jig and then rip the jig up off the bottom, I swing my rod from the 4 0'clock position to the 1 0'clock position and then let the jig fall on a semi slack line making sure to watch for and abnormal movements or sudden stops as the fish normally hit the jig either on the fall or as soon as it hits bottom.

 

You have me confused with the stroke positions.  As I think of a clock, you would be starting at the 9 or 10 o'clock position, and swinging to the 12 or 1 o'clock position.  9 o'clock being the horizontal position in front of you and 12 o'clock straight up.   How do you locate your clock positions?

[smalljaw67]

You have me confused with the stroke positions.  As I think of a clock, you would be starting at the 9 or 10 o'clock position, and swinging to the 12 or 1 o'clock position.  9 o'clock being the horizontal position in front of you and 12 o'clock straight up.   How do you locate your clock positions?

It is just the opposite side, 4 o'clock is the same as 8'oclock which is where I begin my stroke, and then 1 o'clock is the same as 11 o'clock, I find it easier to teach guys how to stroke a jig with the rod slightly lower and most will over swing and once anyone gets a feel for it they tend to make it their own anyway. I remember the first fish I caught stroking, I pulled my rod back past the 12 o'clock position and I lost contact with my line and as I lowered the rod and was reeling in the slack I noticed the line was now coming back to the rod on an angle and then I noticed it was moving and then I finally got all the slack in and set the hook on a 5lb. 2oz pig and I started stroking a jig more often.

[new2BC4bass]

It is just the opposite side, 4 o'clock is the same as 8'oclock which is where I begin my stroke, and then 1 o'clock is the same as 11 o'clock, I find it easier to teach guys how to stroke a jig with the rod slightly lower and most will over swing and once anyone gets a feel for it they tend to make it their own anyway. I remember the first fish I caught stroking, I pulled my rod back past the 12 o'clock position and I lost contact with my line and as I lowered the rod and was reeling in the slack I noticed the line was now coming back to the rod on an angle and then I noticed it was moving and then I finally got all the slack in and set the hook on a 5lb. 2oz pig and I started stroking a jig more often.

 

Didn't think about it last night, but it depends on which side of the caster you are standing.  We are looking at him from opposite sides.

[JigMe]

If you are fishing from shore, my recommendation will be NOT to make long cast unless you are prepared to restock Jigs few times a year. On average, I am losing 2 Jigs per outing if I am fishing from the shore. But if I am on a boat, then I hardly lose any Jigs because I pitch&flip 99% of the time. 

[JD96]

I understand it's off topic, but fishing a spro popping frog is extremely fun this time of year.

[JD96]

From the bank in the longer casting scenarios. Jigs don't do much from the bank for me.

[Catt]

WRB, that's interesting since I fish uphill 95% of the time, your lure stays in contact with the bottom longer.

I have no problems making long cast & settin hook, once you learn how to feel the bite & learn to set hook quick.

[dreamertino]

WRB, that's interesting since I fish uphill 95% of the time, your lure stays in contact with the bottom longer.

I have no problems making long cast & settin hook, once you learn how to feel the bite & learn to set hook quick.

I fish uphill to but my only access point is a bank that has riff raff. Riff raff up hill = $$$ but I dont mind it. It gives me an excuse to let the bait monkey loose.

[Loop_Dad]

bigbill, I think it can change your game, depends.

 

The majority of my local lakes close for boating from mid October to April. I fish from bank during that time. I know some spots with better than average chance of finding fish. Being in winter, some of them are bit far out. Ability to reach there with your bait makes the difference between catching something and not catching.

 

Archy head works best for me with least amount of snags.

 

If you are not on braid, you might want to stick with jigs with light wire hook for better hook set.

[Craiger12]

WRB, that's interesting since I fish uphill 95% of the time, your lure stays in contact with the bottom longer.

I have no problems making long cast & settin hook, once you learn how to feel the bite & learn to set hook quick.

Catt - do you reel down and set immediately on the fist "tick" of the line or do you try to feel if they are there at all? I always tell myself I should set sooner, but find myself doing the latter more often than not.

[Catt]

I don't wait on anything

[J Francho]

Arkey and football styles see m to be the most hang up free styles in my waters.  Some of my best bank/pond fish were taken on a jig.

 

Like this girl: