What kind of jigs?

[wakina]

Why Catawba? The concentration of fish are further west of you there by several miles. Suggest that you leave from Wild Wings or one of the Marinas on Turtle Creek. Fish are present there from a few hundred feet off shore to a couple of miles or a little more. The distance out depends on the fish of course. The cost to ramp($5.00 to $10.00) will more than be offset by the savings in fuel.

In answer to your question here is my standard reply!

The jig weights used are 5/8 oz, 3/4 oz and 1 oz. Colors that are most often the best are black, John Deere Green and purple and not in any particular order. Those should get you started, they are all proven fish catchers. You can add more colors as you gain more experience. All jigs are hair jigs and all have stingers. I can recommend the jigs at Dreamcatcher Tackle, Dave ties his own and they are excellent. Use the lighter jigs on calm days and then increase size as drift speed increases. If at anytime you have trouble pounding the bottom with the 1 oz jig then you are moving to fast.

The debate about tipping the jig with a minnow will last for ever with some for and some against. I always take some minnows along and let the fish tell us what they want. If you go as a group have some tip with a minnow and some not. It is my thought that it is better to have them (minnows) along and not need them than to need them and not have them.

Any drift speed over 1.5 mph should be slowed down with a drift sock or sea anchor. Sometimes it pays to have a variety of sizes along so you will be more able to adjust your speed. On calm days with little or no drift you may have to move some and set back up until you find active fish, you don't actually have to be drifting/moving to catch fish but drifting helps you locate fish as the boat is always moving.

The fish are most often felt when you pick the jig up off the bottom they very seldom hit it and run but are just there as an added weight to your jig. So be ready to set the hook. If using braid a sharp upward flick of the wrist will be sufficient to hook up. Mono will take just a little more arm movement as the mono will stretch. I hope this helps you and if you have more questions just PM me and I will try to help.
Good luck
wakina