Preparing for jigging

[El_Skipper]

Alright avid jiggers....throw me some advice for bait, line weight, etc. I am looking to do so serious jigging as soon as I can get the boat in the water.

[OHIO_DUCKER2000]

I start with a purple or john deere green colors, weight depends on the how fast we are drifting 1/2 to 1 oz . Minnow are a option some guys use them some don't. Stinger hooks are a option some guys use them some don't. I use 15# braided line, with about a 2 ft leader with fluorocarbon. I'm out of wild winds so I hit the reefs and the beach area between wild wing and turtle creek. You'll see where all the boats are. This is what I do but I'm sure there are other options out there. Everyone on this site has there own that works for them........ Hope this helps

[cycleguy]

Cool info. Sure do appreciate it all.

I ran into a guy here in WI this weekend, said in the spring there can be a two hour wait just to get the boat in… it gets that busy. Is this the case, and is it that packed of a house out there on the water then as well?

Do the trollers tend then to go somewhere else, or join in the middle of all this?

Like the ice fishing… where you see guys all over (my one trip) - are there fish to be caught all around if as a newbie, I'm not looking to get in anyone's way out there? I just want to enjoy the time on the water.

May be a dumb ?? What is the firing range? I mean I get the ideal, but is is active at all, and are there times you are not permitted in the area?

[wakina]

Cool info. Sure do appreciate it all.

I ran into a guy here in WI this weekend, said in the spring there can be a two hour wait just to get the boat in… it gets that busy. Is this the case, and is it that packed of a house out there on the water then as well?

Do the trollers tend then to go somewhere else, or join in the middle of all this?

Like the ice fishing… where you see guys all over (my one trip) - are there fish to be caught all around if as a newbie, I'm not looking to get in anyone's way out there? I just want to enjoy the time on the water.

May be a dumb ?? What is the firing range? I mean I get the ideal, but is is active at all, and are there times you are not permitted in the area?

Yes it can be crowded and there can be a wait to get the boat in the water, I have seen some awful long lines at some of the marinas on Turtle Creek which is adjacent to the reef complex. Weekends are the worse. If you come during the spring spawn to jig I would recommend using a private marina vs state docks. Pay the fee and go fishing, you will save the cost of the launch in gas alone as well as time since they are really close to the fishing area.

Most trollers that know what they are doing will be outside the best jigging areas, they will be targeting the larger females that seem to avoid the party until ready to drop their eggs. They will be on the fringe areas adjacent to but well away from the best jigging areas. It can be crowded on the water also, but the fishing area (jigging) is several square miles in size.

There will be plenty of room for you without a problem, there will be boats all over the place . The main thing is deciding where to start, at times the fish are active just a few hundred yards off shore then again the active fish can be a couple of miles out. Be observant and watch what the other boats are doing, are they catching(?) are they vertical jigging(?) are they casting out and hopping the jig back(?). The main attractor is that jig hitting the bottom! That is why most everyone who is jigging uses the heavier jigs in 1/2 to 1 oz in size with the stinger hooks. That jig has to slam the bottom to be effective.

The firing range is an area set aside for the training of Military personnel, there is an inner range(danger zone I) and an extended outer range(danger zone II) for weapons training. They are mostly small arms but on occasion they fire heavier weapons like the .50 cal machine gun. When firing the small arms the inner range is closed to boat traffic and when firing the heavier weapons the outer and inner range are closed. Here is a link with a map that shows the inner and outer firing range. It starts on the shore at Camp Perry extending out into the lake. The inner range is marked with a half circle on the map and small buoys spaced close together on the water, the outer range is marked with straight lines on the map and larger buoys spaced about 1.5 miles (maybe more) apart on the water.


http://wbsa.us/denied/range_map.jpg

[Old Wheezer]

Hair jigs 1/2oz up to 1oz with stinger hooks. Size depends on wind/water conditions with purple and John Deer green my favorite colors. You can tip with shiners if you want. That is a matter of preference, some do-some don't. You also might try blade baits. A lot of people use them also. Line weight: I use 8 to 12 test braid with about a 6ft flourocarbon leader. Hope this helps.

[cycleguy]

Love the conversation as I hope to make a bucket list trip this spring. Interesting on the size of the jigs used - I've never owned any over 3/8oz, and those we use here for salmon and brown trout on Lake MI in our shallower to 20 fow.

[pimplepounder]

3/8 jigs will work on the reefs just fine, especially with an anchored position or a slow drift. Heck the reefs are pretty close to the surface.

[cycleguy]

Thank you very much for the time to share all that!

[BILLY JOE]

if you do come give me a call good chance I will be out there and will be willing to work with you Todd 419-467-4761

[wakina]

One of the most commonly over looked pieces of essential equipment is the simple drift sock. It is better to have one that is to big than one that is to small. You have to have a somewhat slow controlled drift in order to jig effectively on the reefs and surrounding areas.

!/2 oz to 1 oz hair jigs. They are available locally at all of the bait stores located near the launching ramps adjacent to the reef complex. Colors that I would have along would be black, black, black, purple and JD Green. Did I mention black?

The faster the drift the heavier the jig, if you cannot keep contact with the bottom with a 1 oz jig it is most likely to rough to fish anyhow. Contact with the bottom is essential as the jig pounding on the bottom is what attracts the males and induces them to strike the jig.

Rod and reel is a personal preference, mine is a 6 to 7 ft medium action spinning rod with a 2000 or 2500 series spinning reel spooled with new left over braid from filling my trolling rigs. Most often that is 30 lb braid which is about the same diameter as 8 lb mono. A little overkill for sure but it is already bought so I use it and just set the drag like I am using 8 lb line and have never had a problem. I also use a short 18 to 24 inch leader of either 12 lb mono or fluorocarbon to hide the main line and to provide a weak link in the line to lure just in case I get snagged in the rocky reefs.

I always have shiners along just in case. I am a firm believer in having them along and maybe not needing them as opposed to needing them and not having them.