Vertical jigging over and in brush piles

[00 mod]

So yesterday I found a couple giant brushpiles with fish in and over the piles.  These piles were in 20-26 FOW and after over and hour throwing my typical presentations with minimal luck, I decided to tie on a blade bait and vertical jig them.  While I started to catch fish, I also caught lots of branches- to the tune of losing every blade bait I had with me and having to call it quits.

So for you guys with more experience in vertical fishing- what would you do here?  I have already purchased some more blade baits, and also some of the Owner single hook replacements to see if that helps. 

Any other vertical suggestions?

Jeff

[jr231]

I'm thinking a tube. It's versatility is almost unmatched and definitely works as a vertical presentation. 

Sounds fun btw. Besides losing all your baits. I'd rather lose baits and catch fish than have em and get skunked though. So in my eyes.. success. 

[BobP]

I'd probably try a 3/4oz jigging spoon.  One less treble to snag and it has enough weight that you can usually jiggle it free when it snags, if you aren't horsing it during the presentation.

[00 mod]

4 minutes ago, Yeajray231 said:

I'm thinking a tube. It's versatility is almost unmatched and definitely works as a vertical presentation. 

I should add that these fish were somewhat inactive with 63 degree water and I had already tried: Jig, t-rig worm, deep crank and a shakey head.

Just now, BobP said:

I'd probably try a 3/4oz jigging spoon.  One less treble to snag and it has enough weight that you can usually jiggle it free when it snags, if you aren't horsing it during the presentation.

I was thinking this, and having the blade directly over the treble might aid in getting it undone in such deep water.  I have actually already packed them in my bag for next trip!  Good idea!

The other thing I have already rigged is a heavy weight drop shot.

Jeff

[BobP]

Might want to use a T-rig style hook on that dropshot so it can't snag!

[riverbasser]

I read somewhere about a crappie guide who caught alot of bass and crappie jigging brush piles and he would take a file and dull the treble hook points some. This way they wouldn't dig into the wood near as much and he could wiggle them free. He also used the heavier spoons. He claimed it had no effect on hooking the fish and that it actually helped them stay hooked since the dull tip wouldn't rip the lips up as much. Its worth a shot

[Oklahoma Mike]

 

 

[Catt]

Change to light wire hooks that will straighten out when snagged!

[scaleface]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

Change to light wire hooks that will straighten out when snagged!

This , I fished Table Rock a couple f times with Jigging spoons and that was the advice the locals gave me .

[00 mod]

1 hour ago, Oklahoma Mike said:

 

Have you used these before?

Jeff

[William Rossi]

Dropshot with weedless hook. Use a 3/8-1/2 weight. With vertical presentation you can "feel" your way through brush and the heavy weight when jiggled can pull the hooh free.

BTW you can get generic blade baits for about a dollar each on ebay. You need to add your own hooks and hardware.

 

 

[Catt]

Stay as vertical as possible over the brush/brush pile.

Use heavy enought weight to develop a "feel" with the lue so you don't stay hung up. When hungup, give some slack in the line and shake vigorously with the rod until the lure comes loose. If it will not come loose after shaking it's plug knocker time.

Change the hooks to round-bend thin wire hooks. These hooks are very sharp, & also can be straightened on a pull when hung.

Use a split ring instead of a swivel.

If the line twists while you are jigging, you're keeping the line too tight on the fall. Leave enough slack on the fall that a natural fall occurs, but not tight enough that it twists the line

[Raul]

Oh well, I don't usually vertical jig brushpiles at Cajon we jigged this:

https://www.google.com.mx/search?sclient=tablet-gws&site=&source=hp&q=parota+arbol&oq=parota&gs_l=tablet-gws.1.2.0l3.3048.5641.0.7958.6.6.0.0.0.0.230.1071.0j5j1.6.0....0...1.1.64.tablet-gws..0.6.1069...0i131k1.VnOJGj8EW1g#imgrc=vQiAK1vV7FqLrM%3A

 

[Ktho]

You try a weightless senko, thin senko or Ika?

[WRB]

Mustad W3551 weedless treble hook should work.

I prefer using a structure spoon, blade baits require harder lifts to create strikes then spoons.

You might what to give a Matty jig a try; add #2 Colorado blade on a swivel as a trailer to 3/4 oz jig, blue with gold blade is a good combo.

Tom

 

[Senko lover]

30 minutes ago, Ktho said:

You try a weightless senko, thin senko or Ika?

Yup, he tried that. 30 minutes later, he quit after not getting down to the brushpile on the first cast.

[jr231]

1 minute ago, Senko lover said:

Yup, he tried that. 30 minutes later, he quit after not getting down to the brushpile on the first cast.

Ha-ha idk what fat ika you're fishing but they sink rather quickly !! And if those will work. So will the tube I suggested. 

[Ktho]

50 minutes ago, Senko lover said:

Yup, he tried that. 30 minutes later, he quit after not getting down to the brushpile on the first cast.

Lol 20-26ft isn't even that deep for a lot of us

[Catt]

[Senko lover]

2 hours ago, Yeajray231 said:

Ha-ha idk what fat ika you're fishing but they sink rather quickly !! And if those will work. So will the tube I suggested. 

 

1 hour ago, Ktho said:

Lol 20-26ft isn't even that deep for a lot of us

 

I was being humorous; although I would steer clear of a weightless presentation for deep water like that personally. Just a personal patience thing, I guess.

[scaleface]

[Jig Man]

I'm one of those guys who mark every brush pile that I pass over.  I use a variety of baits in the piles;  mostly Trigged plastics or weed less screw lock jigs with worms.  I make my own jigs and my brush jigs are made with smaller hooks so they hang up less frequently. 

I like to use braided line with a 3' leader so that as I pull the bait up I can feel the braided line coming over the limbs.  When it gets (smooth) I know the leader is on the limb and I will feel the jig touch the limb in 3 feet.  I can then gently twitch it over the limb and let it fall (repeat).  Most strikes come just after going over the limb so close attention and line watching are a must.

[fishballer06]

Don't be afraid to throw a weedless fish head spin and a small swimbait. 

[roadwarrior]

Sworming Hornet/ LFT Live Magic Shad. The hook is easily straightened using #12 line.

Another suggestion is the GYCB Single Tail Hula Grub T-rigged weedless. I would also try the Rage Tail Structure Bug and Craw.

 

  

[00 mod]

16 hours ago, WRB said:

Mustad W3551 weedless treble hook should work.

I prefer using a structure spoon, blade baits require harder lifts to create strikes then spoons.

You might what to give a Matty jig a try; add #2 Colorado blade on a swivel as a trailer to 3/4 oz jig, blue with gold blade is a good combo.

Tom

 

Have you used these trebles with success?  Sounds like a good option.  The hard lift of the blade is what was triggering the strike........

The swivel and blade is a good idea as well!

Jeff