Slack Line

[Jigfishn10]

Just now, Catt said:

 

It totally depends on the depth, if I'm casting into 15' I obviously don't need that much slack to get a vertical fall. If I'm casting into 30' I'm definitely gonna need more slack & a heavier weight.

I’m fishing a little deeper so I’m looking for that bait to be horizontal on the fall. If I’m seeing fish on the sonar I may try and snap the rod about 6” or so. Most baitfish - and I know most know this - will quickly swim up about 4’ if they know a predator is around, then slowly drift back down horizontally. I’m trying to mimic that. If the lure falls in its side on the way down…well bonus! ?

[schplurg]

I like just enough slack that if I lift my rod tip the slack goes away. I will raise and lower the tip to feel for strikes as I go along. At least I think that's what I do. 

[Tatsu Dave]

The only time I allow slack is with a deadstick drop and then I watch the line as it drops to bottom. I like to always have feel for the stickbait and keeping the line free of slack works the best for me.

[clemsondds]

I know this is an old thread but came across a Denny Brauer video where he said “the most important part of jig fishing, is letting that jig fall on a semi-slack line.”   I was looking for a good definition of semi-slack line. I assume he uses fluorocarbon line?  Anyone know if he means a slight bow in the line as he lets it free fall, or is he stripping off a few yards of line as it falls?  My old eyes, I sometimes have a hard time seeing fluoro and so I fish mostly with braid to leader. And so while it’s easier to see, I don’t think it’s as sensitive on semi-slack line. And so either I need to go back to fluoro, or adjust my technique a little. Thoughts? 

[A-Jay]

21 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

I know this is an old thread but came across a Denny Brauer video where he said “the most important part of jig fishing, is letting that jig fall on a semi-slack line.”   I was looking for a good definition of semi-slack line. I assume he uses fluorocarbon line?  Anyone know if he means a slight bow in the line as he lets it free fall, or is he stripping off a few yards of line as it falls?  My old eyes, I sometimes have a hard time seeing fluoro and so I fish mostly with braid to leader. And so while it’s easier to see, I don’t think it’s as sensitive on semi-slack line. And so either I need to go back to fluoro, or adjust my technique a little. Thoughts? 

I think I understand your question.

And what I'll say is stop 'watching' your line.

Yup.

While I might see a small percentage of jig bites where the line jumps or moves in a manner that indicates there's a fish on it.

I detect far more jig bites or strikes by feel.

Not certain the type of line or even leader matters.

Just get used to the gear that you're comfortable with.

Knowing what my bait feels like, how it falls on a slack, semi slack or even a tight line is pretty important.  Because anything else might be a strike.

Clearly doesn't happen as quickly as we'd like, takes time.

But the skill pays off and often translates into other baits & presentations as well. 

Finally, the ultimate teacher / reinforcer of this whole deal IMO,

is fishing at night. 

All there is is feel.

Get good at that, and daytime might seem like cheating.

Good Luck

A-Jay

[clemsondds]

35 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I think I understand your question.

And what I'll say is stop 'watching' your line.

Yup.

While I might see a small percentage of jig bites where the line jumps or moves in a manner that indicates there's a fish on it.

I detect far more jig bites or strikes by feel.

Not certain the type of line or even leader matters.

Just get used to the gear that you're comfortable with.

Knowing what my bait feels like, how it falls on a slack, semi slack or even a tight line is pretty important.  Because anything else might be a strike.

Clearly doesn't happen as quickly as we'd like, takes time.

But the skill pays off and often translates into other baits & presentations as well. 

Finally, the ultimate teacher / reinforcer of this whole deal IMO,

is fishing at night. 

All there is is feel.

Get good at that, and daytime might seem like cheating.

Good Luck

A-Jay

Thanks! What line do you use for jig fishing? (I feel like I’ve asked you this before lol) 

[A-Jay]

9 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

Thanks! What line do you use for jig fishing? (I feel like I’ve asked you this before lol) 

I prefer FC - 

15 - 17 & sometimes 20 lb.

And that is in light to med mostly hard cover.

Slop gets 50lb braid but I rarely go there any more.

This fatty was on 20lb Tatsu mostly because of where I was fishing.

https://youtu.be/1to6ti-tlZY?feature=shared&t=697

A-Jay

[Catt]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

Finally, the ultimate teacher / reinforcer of this whole deal IMO,

is fishing at night. 

All there is is feel.

Get good at that, and daytime might seem like cheating.

 

😉

 

Pretty much everyone knows I throw 15# Big Game. So does my grandson Aiden.

 

[waymont]

Never leave slack in my line when fishing t-rigs and jigs. 

When fishing the free rig I will do 3-4' pulls and let it fall on a completely slack line, but after the bait falls to the bottom, I reel in to see if a fish hit. If no hit occurs I repeat that move. That's the most slack I leave when bottom fishing.

[PhishLI]

On 3/24/2024 at 3:00 PM, A-Jay said:

I detect far more jig bites or strikes by feel.

Not certain the type of line or even leader matters.

Just get used to the gear that you're comfortable with.

 

On 3/24/2024 at 3:00 PM, A-Jay said:

Knowing what my bait feels like, how it falls on a slack, semi slack or even a tight line is pretty important.  Because anything else might be a strike.

 

On 3/24/2024 at 3:00 PM, A-Jay said:

Finally, the ultimate teacher / reinforcer of this whole deal IMO,

is fishing at night. 

All there is is feel.

Word

[WRB]

Read my replies in page 1, defined semi slack line.

Type of line is a personal choice. FC line has less bow on the semi slack line and the bow concave vs convex for mono and braid.

Tom

[Bankbeater]

I will fish the t-rig or jig on a tight line unless the bite it very light.  If the bass are just barely hitting the bait I'll keep the line tight until I feel that first tick.  It is usually only one tick and very light, so when I feel it I'll drop the rod a bit to put some slack in the line.  Then I'll wait a few seconds to see if the bass is going to pick it up and run with it.  I don't want that fish to sense any resistance.