Small Jigs Deepwater

[skiptomylu]

It works we fished 30 to 38' last Saturday to catch what few we did we used 1/80 oz. jigs.

Last year or was it year before last? Oh well I was using a small jig on the bottom and even smaller on top with a slip weight made not to slip on crappie, but it was like only 21' of water and caught some on the tiny one. Let me see if I can dig up a pic of that top jig.

Here it is with peacock herl for wings. I think this one is 1/32, but can be much smaller too.

Skip

[GAMENESS]

Hey skip.....when tying bugs-should'nt the wings be on the other side for the right presentation ? (your jig was obviously productive, but its something I've always wondered when tying bugs)

[skiptomylu]

Hey skip.....when tying bugs-should'nt the wings be on the other side for the right presentation ? (your jig was obviously productive, but its something I've always wondered when tying bugs)

Tying flies is more in line with actual bug looking things and then yes or they may think you are crazy, but as far as I can tell no winged critter would be down 20' deep and still be alive so maybe he's upside down? I am not sure they fish will care if he's upside down or not.

Now if fishing a floating bug then it would be possible that it would make a difference to the fish, but I am not so sure about that either. I do think it has more to do with the fisherman than the fish and on a jig is so different than a fly since you can't make it run upside down like you can a fly tying hook. If I tried to put these wings on the other side I believe they would run into the hook after the bend. I don't think it possible to put the wings on the other side without jumping through hoops or something. Also then it would look funny to all the fisherman as I have tied them like that, but didn't care for it. I do know they will bite the one like I have in that pic.

Skip

[GAMENESS]

I have a very produtive fly pattern in a size 10 hook (has caught from 10 lb steelhead to bluegill) and since this jig tying is still a little new to me, I tied a couple in both ways and I'm waiting to try them both and see which is more productive., just waiting for spring or open water.

[skiptomylu]

I have a very produtive fly pattern in a size 10 hook (has caught from 10 lb steelhead to bluegill) and since this jig tying is still a little new to me, I tied a couple in both ways and I'm waiting to try them both and see which is more productive., just waiting for spring or open water.

I got to say this about jigs. I think color and then weight are very important and to the style of fishing you do. However I also think the most productive jigs are simple chenille jigs for the time spent tying. They also will hold up a lot better than say like my jig above with the peacock Herl. I don't think there is a more productive method of crappie in the spring for all spring than long line trolling with a 1/32 oz. Roadrunner.

I do love finding them right on the bank in like 1'-3' of water and just troll motor down the bank looking for a mess of them. When you find them there should be a good amount in a small area and I like using a long pole (10') and having like 12'-14' of line out and just kind of flipping it to the bank and pulling it out and you can see them come up near the surface to take the Roadrunner. However this style only last for a short time frame and most of my spring with be spent trolling with my Troll Motor in 3'-13' of water.

Skip

[brimreaper]

Hey skip.....when tying bugs-should'nt the wings be on the other side for the right presentation ? (your jig was obviously productive, but its something I've always wondered when tying bugs)

I have asked myself the same question G. I have gotten into tying "fligs" (jigs with a fly pattern on them) and I like the way they look. I have also started tying a crawfish pattern on a jig hook as well. It is a pain to work between the hook point and the jig head when tying patterns especially when using a sickle hook as your hands will get chewed up pretty good by the hook point. It's much harder but I like the "right side up" look to it when it is in the water. The shading on the patterns I tie are correct as far as natural color gradients are concerned as well (dark on top of the critter fading to a lighter color on the bottom) Trout fisherman have always been obscessed with life like presentations...me, I am just a nut with a tying vise trying new stuff. If a fish is hungry I don't think he cares if supper is upside down or right side up but if he is being picky and is not really hungry he might give it a better once over before biting into it. On those days the more closely the critter looks like the real thing the better in my humble oppinion....but like Skip said, Whats a winged bug doing 20' deep anyway. Fish don't know our rules of engagement so they just do thier own thing and we go crazy trying to figure out why they don't act right....lol...good fishing to you G.......brim