Pushing vs. Pulling

Just curious about opinions on pushing vs. pulling jigs. Most of the folks I see on the lakes here (So Ga. and No Fl.) are longlining. There are a lot more guys that spider rig in Ky where I am from and that is how I learned to catch crappie. I am certain both methods are successful. Is there a particular advantage to one method over the other? I can really only see a few differences.

Long lining usually means 50-80ish feet of line out and pulling about 0.7-1.2 mph. While the bait is farther from the boat and less likely to spook fish, it also means longer retrieves. Turning requires reeling up and re cast or wide turns to avoid tangles.

We carolina rig our poles with 1-2 oz. wts to spider rig. Our depth and speed helps determine how much wt we use. We have also used this method to push crankbaits up to 1.8 mph with 3 oz wts. I can run as fast and cover as much water as guys do pulling jigs and still maintain a reliable depth. Turning is not an issue. The boat will make tight turns without risking tangled lines. This method does require additional tackle and re rigging takes a little longer than just using a split shot and jigs.

Fished with a new friend yesterday and used both methods simultaneously. Both methods seemed to be equally successful. Bottom line was we had a great time and caught some fish. My personal opinion is it really doesnt matter technically which method is used, but more a preference. There are advantages and dis advantages to both. Was just curious if there are any other thoughts??




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I haven't done much jig pushing, but I'm gonna start doing more. I think it's easier for me to push and get the depth right when the fish are over 5-7 feet deep than it is to long line. When I'm fishing real shallow, in 2-3 feet of open water, pulling is easy and that's the method I want to use.

But like you said, I think it's more personal preference.

I do both but do better with longlining.. In all fairness I do longlining more in the spring and pushing in the winter. Winter bite is slower for me.

I use both tactics, they work about the same in deeper water, if fishing under 10' long lining does better. I assume the boat and TM noise makes a difference!

I use both tactics, but prefer longlining...cover alot of water and find the aggressive fish. then load the cooler!

I set up my boat when I bought it so that I can go from pushing to longlining in about 5 minutes, though...never hurts to cover all the bases.;)

Before moving here last August that was about all I did was tight line. I was having very little success. I switched over to long line and had a lot better success. I think the reason is the water gets so clear. Just my :twocents

If you push at 1 mph in the timber you had better have about 50 rods to make out the day. Longline in the timber you will just break off or bend hook rather than break rods. That’s why I longline rather than push in the places I fish.


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