Jig and Pig

[benpsut]

What's up guys!  Hope everyone's makin out this season and brigin in some nice fish.  I've been doing ok.  I don't have a boat and the lake I fish mainly is restricted to shore fishing only.  I've brought some nice sized fish but no lunkers.  For all I know maybe that's all the bigger they get.  I've caught 2 definatly over 12inches long in the past weeks.  All caught in dense shallow cover with various lures.  Anywhere from wacky rigged tiki stiks/senkos/dingers to weightless/weighted/stand up jig head power worms all in dark colors.  Why stray from a good thing?  Well, doesn't at some point a fisherman wants that BIG fish.  Well.......I DO!  Now this isnt the only lake I fish.  This main lake I fish is for the most part shallow but there's a deep part to it that no one seems to know where it is but that's a different story.  The lake is small enough (But large enough to get you winded when walked from one side to the other) that I can take the time to find that spot.  Seeing that its been in the high 80's and rising, I figure that "lunker" if there at all is in deep water.  So I invest in some jigs and some hand poured craw chunks and some pork trailers to try my hand at the jig and pig.  I understand how to fish it in deep water.  I use the heavier type jigs because there is a lot of vegetation on the bottom, so much that the sportsman club stocks the lake with grass carp.  Throw it out, let it sink (and I think i've found that deep spot) and SLOWLY sweep the rod to the left or right.  Problem is with the big jig (not even that big, I think it's a little less than half an ounce) it feels like that is constant pressure on the line, so much constant pressure, i leave my rod still and the rod starts to bend.  It just feels like something is pulling on the jig.  Is that normal?  I mean, i set the hook but there's no fish on the other end and the pressure lets up.  Then not even seconds later after i have it settle the pressure comes back on.  Any tips or suggestions?  I'm new to the jig and pig method so don't attack me too much lol.  Thanks in advance for any help.

[grimlin]

what rod and line are you using? Does your rod bend like that when casting anywhere or just one place? Could be hard underground current coming from somewhere as well.

When using a jig and pig you should be using a rod that's MH to Heavy atleast a 6'6 to 7'6...most people use fluoro line 12#- 17# or higher.

[benpsut]

Well, im using a Medium Action 7foot 3in rod with 12 pound flouro.  It's anywhere.  Even at a lake with really shallow water i was just throwin it out and practicing at it while the girlfriend was catching all the fish .  i let it sit there and something just pulls at it.  I dont know maybe it is a fish.  Im constantly watching my line.  I dont know, it might be current.  

[grimlin]

I'm pretty sure it's the rod,medium action with a 3/8 oz or bigger lure is gonna bend that rod regardless once it sits on the bottom.It's always putting pressure on your rod so you are always getting that "feel tight" feeling...That's why when you set it and nothing is there your line goes limp and you don't feel that pulling,but once your line goes tight again the pulling feeling comes back.That's what it sounds like to me.

Upgrade to a heavy rod with a fast tip.

[benpsut]

ah! thanks man!

[Cephkiller]

I think a stiffer rod is definitely a good idea, but I would also suggest that you use a jig designed for use in vegetation, i.e. one with a pointed nose that will slide through the weeds.  12 lb fluoro should be the perfect line for this, so you're doing that just right.

[benpsut]

i have various jigs that are pointed like that, thanks for the advice man!

[benpsut]

Ha!  Wanted to try out night fishing tonight.  Well, im constantly night fishing for catfish but tonight I wanted to try some night time bass. And while i was at it i wanted to try the jig and pig method we've been discussing here.  I tied on a black spinner and it didnt do the trick, im not very confident with them anyways.  So i threw on my black/blue BOOYAH rattle jig with pumpkinseed crawchunk and started to bounce it off the bottom.   Before i knew it, 2 fish on the shore.  They were larger than average for that lake but no monsters, but it was good for me.  Lost the jig tho on a submerged rock cliff :-(  oh well.  No pics :-(  But i did figure out the jig and pig and night fishing for bass :-) wooooooooooooot!   thanks for the help guys!!!!

[Cephkiller]

Good job! Congratulations.

BTW, the pointed nose I suggested for vegetation is horrible for rocks.  I guess you demonstrated that the hard way.

[benpsut]

hehe thanks :-)

yea.......really found out the hard way lol.  oh well, they aren't that expensive and all i need is one.  thanks for the tips again!