Jigs under a float

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Originally Posted by Jakesdad

Could you elaborate on that a little more? Not trying to be a smart aleck but would like to hear both pros and cons

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Reason people use a float with a jig (from what I've read over the years):

1) Float adds casting distance.

2) Float keeps bait at constant depth.

Regarding #1, I think using lighter gear (particularly lighter line) is a better way to get more casting distance. I use UL rods and 2-3# line and get plenty of casting distance.

Regarding #2, I think just reeling at a constant rate of speed does a great job of keeping the jig at the same depth.


Reasons to NOT use a float with a jig:

1) Most floats sold in the US are terrible at indicating bites. I threw my American floats in the trash ages ago and have been using the Euro floats (with bait) ever since.

2) When you use a float, you are intentionally putting slack in your line. That's almost never a good idea. Among other things, it makes setting the hook more difficult.

3) People most often use a float and jig in shallow water. The float can make a large splash when it hits the water and can scare fish.

4) The float keeps the bait at a constant depth. Without a float, I can vary the depth on the same retrieve. I can stop reeling and let the jig fall. I can lift the rod tip and bring the jig higher in the water column. You can't do that if you're using a float. You're stuck at the same depth.

5) Have you ever seen a bass pro fish a float with a jig or a spinnerbait? No, they just reel constantly to keep the bait at the same depth. They're fishing a moving bait for predatory fish -- just like us. Why should we fish differently?

6) I want as little “stuff” on my line as possible. A simple jig tied to the end of line works amazingly well.

Thanks for the explanations! Makes perfect sense.

Late post here. Mostly use floats for trout and micro jigs depending on the conditions.

Trout are moody fish. There are times when drifting a small micro jig under will work under a float when nothing else will. Fly fishermen fish floats all the time, they call it indicator fishing.

As posted before marabou jigs work well and so do rabbit hair jigs, nymphs and even hard to cast midges/wet flies work well under a small float.

Thill Super Shy Bites, cast a bubbles, Adjust a Bubbles and others work well. It's best to test your floats with your jigs in a 5 gal bucket to see what weights work best with each type of float. And don't be afraid to use the same floats (indicators) as the fly fishermen use, I recently purchased some 3/4" Thing a Ma Bobbers to try out.

A friend recently fished Crowley lake with a guide and boat and they used midges under a slip indicator for fishing down deep on their fly rods. They caught trout, Sacramento perch and Tui chubs. In fact, they were so successful other boats started showing up to get in on the action.

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Most definitely works.....I even use that technique while on my boat.....

MtnFisher most of the time I use those little foam trout magnet floats.

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Originally Posted by Jakesdad

MtnFisher most of the time I use those little foam trout magnet floats.

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I use those too. They offer a huge bag of them, really good deal.

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There is one pro that seems to be ignored... you can keep the bait in one spot longer. Without a float, you cast to your target, reel back a certain distance, and a lot of people are then out of their "target area" and burn it back in, cast and repeat.

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Originally Posted by Schmoopie

There is one pro that seems to be ignored... you can keep the bait in one spot longer.

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True, but bait doesn't stay in one spot ... particularly if there's a predator nearby. ;)

Hey if it works for you then go for it, i have caught a good many this way

I'm with death-before-disco here. I tried to use various float-based rigs for trout and disliked it very much. No more. Even now, fishing for mackerel at the bay, won't use the float-like caro rig – tried and disliked it very much despite catching fish. Lure only for me. To each their own...