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As most on here know I normally fish a 1/32 road runner with a one inch slider grub , 95 % of the time . Wanting to try the float/fly deal with light tackle . question is ,how light a jig ? Also do any use jigs under 1/32 on 2 lb. test to single pole jig them ? Thanks in advance .
My "normal" bream jig is 1/64 oz (usually a trout magnet or marabou.) I cast them with 2-4# line and have no problems throwing them 30-40'.
I almost never use them with a float. I prefer to cast and swim them back slowly.
Of our regular posters, Alphahawk, LedHed, slabsrus, and illinoisgiller all use similar methods. I'm sure they will chime in.
I have caught thousands on 1/32 oz with Black/Chart slider grub and Texas Avocado Bass Assassin on 4lb test.After reading Alphahawk reports I started using a Bison magnet on 1/64 on 2lb test.I am amazed how many more hits I get.The one thing I have changed is holding rod 90 degrees to bait almost 100% hook up.Could not hook 50% holding rod at 10 o'clock.
the 1/32 roadrunner with a 1 inch black slider grub fished on 4-6 lb. stren has been used for over 40 yrs in my family . It's the 1/64 and 1/80 that I am looking for techniques to use .
My preferred way to catch bream, all kinds is to use a 1/64 jig with a nibble. I do it 2 ways, cast and retrieve and/or use a cork. slow retrieve with either will bring you a quick bite. The nibble adds the punch you need when they are slow to bite. Red ears love the nibbles. A 1/32 works also. Most any black color will work. You want to keep the jig as close to bottom as possible.
I have some 1/80 oz jigs and use them occasionally. I use the 1/64 oz a lot more.Quote:
Originally Posted by eagle 1
I use a 1/64 oz. black beetle (and sometimes other colors) often and particularly from a boat. I buy bulk bodies and bulk unpainted 1/64 oz. jig heads. Although the beetle is usually most productive, I also have 1" curly tails and tubes that I'll fish as well. Tackle is a light action 6 ft. rod with 2 lb. Trilene XL. 2 lb. Stren is fine (it's what I grew up fishing with), but isn't readily available in the stores around here. Can cast about 25 - 30 feet with this rig. I also like to turn my anti-reverse off when fishing 2 lb. test as I prefer to back reel in order to give line rather than rely on the drag with that fine line, although if you use higher quality reels than I do that may not be preferable. Catch a lot of 8 - 16 inch bass on them as well. Like others said, I reel slow and keep close to the bottom.
Edited to add, if you're going to use a float, no need to change from 4 lb. Stren. My dad and I caught thousands of bream using 1/64th oz. beetles 3 ft. under a float on 4 lb. Stren when I was a boy. We fished a flat on a lake in west TN where the water was 4 - 6 feet deep and would fan cast until we found fish and then drop anchor. His favorite color beetle was white with a red spot on top. We'd reel them extremely, imperceptibly slow and catch bunches of them. Didn't catch many shellcrackers this way though, almost always bluegill and redbreast.
I need to add that you can use a light weight above your jig for distance. I try to match the jig weight with a lead shot, about a foot or more above.
I am now using a 1/64oz unpainted jig on 2# test and a bison trout magnet. In addition, I am using a 1/64 oz roadrunner and any dark 1" grub. Both baits are doing fine on the gills. Recently I have added a pink berkley power wiggler to the back and this has worked exceptionally well too. I can thank Alphahawk for converting me from crickets and red wigglers to plastics.
Do you feel the 1/64 jig will out catch the 1/32 using the same one inch slider black grub and the same 2lb. test line ?
I use 1/80th and 1/100th jigs all the time . When it got to where I couldn't deal with casting my flyrods , I started tying up jigs that looked like some of my favorite flies . Especially the woolybooger.
I fish these on 2 or 4 pound test under a weighted float . Just cast , and slow retreive back in .
You'd be surprised at what I've caught on my tiny jigs . Last year I hooked and landed a nice LM on a black woolybooger and 4 pound P-Line . Gillchaser
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1.../image_74.jpeg
Some of my jigs . Gillchaser
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...agejpg1-71.jpg
They catch catfish sometimes too. Gillchaser
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...agejpg1-65.jpg
Have caught four of these fishing at High Falls while bream fishing .
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...agejpg1-16.jpg
Three pound plus Crappie . Gillchaser
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...47ecb2f27b.jpg
I fish Float'N Fly a lot. I use an 8' 3" rod....many say it should be nothing shorter than a 9 footer but I have caught thousands of fish doing it so I'm not changing....LOL. I use the 1/64 Trout Magnet almost exclusively.....and that is with 2# test line. I would use the Mini Trout Magnet....1/100....but I can't see to tie it. To me the key to Float'N Fly is the smaller the better. There are many micro jigs that work well doing it. I also use the 1/64 Trout Magnet casting and will at times add a single size "B" split shot about 18 inches above it to get more casting distance. I have also had jig heads made in 1/48. Just depends on the depth of water when casting. Most of the talk with Float'N Fly is about smallmouth fishing.....but in winter....when it is not too cold and I go out....the Float'N Fly is a killer on bluegill as well. But I just don't do much cold weather fishing anymore. I use it a lot in spring on our deep clear water lakes...it can be a deadly way to fish...and a bunch of fun.
Regards
I also use small plastics including Trout Magnets , and one and two inch curlytails .
Seeing that float disappear is addicting . Gillchaser
Eagle1 - I cannot honestly answer that yet. All that I can honestly say is that it has worked exceptionally well so far this season.
IMO the advantage of the 2lb test is it usually adds distance to your casting increasing the area you're fishing . It also allows the jig to move more naturally . The same reason to use longer rods , it increases your coverage . GillchaserQuote:
Originally Posted by eagle 1
I USE THE SMALLEST PRESIDENT REELS AND 4 LB. STREN . I FEEL THE 2 LB . WOULD BE FINE SINCE THIS ONE CAME ON 4 LB. STREN . Attachment 256132
nice grass carp
[QUOTE=gillchaser999;3341381]Some of my jigs . Gillchaser
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...agejpg1-71.jpg[/Qwell done i do the same but have gone the opposite direction using the fly/jig 60 degree hooks with slotted tung beads and tying tiny jigs for the flyrod.they really seem to like this tiny stuff,see if i got a few pics
I spent about four hours today throwing my micro jigs in 53 degree water . I caught 23 gills and two LM . My brother caught about 15 gills and I believe one small LM after he gave in and switched to one of my jigs from throwing plastics . Jigs were 1/80th oz. I use the sickle hooked ones most of the time , they seem to have a better hookup rate .
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1.../image_32.jpeg
I like a 1/64 number 8 on 4 lb test for bream with a pc a worm on it most of the time
I'm no expert on this tiny stuff that you guys use. So much vegetation here I believe I would donate jigs at a rapid pace. I have done lots of 'gills in the past on a 4'6" browning silaflex and a Diawa mini-mite til I wore the gears out of it. I have to put a small rig together and keep it with me. It will be the first 2lb outfit to have my name on it. I've always carried a 4lb rig and usually have more than one on the deck, even when trolling. I too get bored easy. I'm taking the Granddaughter Sunday and helping her learn dipping and jig n float. I'll post some pics if it goes as well as I hope.
nice thing about rolling your own is they are cheap once you have the tools and i buy hooks and tung beads in bulk.bird hunters can provide you with tons of feathers.its a hobby so cheap may not be the right word.i throw my bugs with abandon cause i can make all i need Attachment 256578Attachment 256579Attachment 256580Attachment 256581Attachment 256582
Nice ties ! Are you using a flyrod , or spinning with a float ?
those are for the flyrod as the hooks are brabless and i like to stay in contact but i do tie them with regular jig hooks so they can be tipped with bait or plastic with a float.the slotted tungsten beads will work with any jig hook.Attachment 256625 i tie these for tipping with waxies or redworms.the tungsten bead is on a straight pin cut down and tied under the hook to bring the weight forward from the eye and balances nicely below the float.you could dress these any way you choose.these are way more durable and will survive dozens of gills.those soft hackles not so much
I tie a jig similar to the soft hackles using Centipede Legs , a super thin rubber leg material . Works great and more durable than feathers . Gillchaser
i like the look of natural feathers but the soft hackle is fragile.i use senyo shaggy dub,little tiny silicone filament like jig skirts only tiny.kind of hard to work with.stocked trout seem to like the natural feathers tho and got a few this fall.also got some on foam spiders when i thought they were gills feedin on top.have to say as much as i love fly fishing and jig and fly tying,my best producing crappie bait is still a small road runner or blue fox spinner jig 1/16 i believe and southern pro crappie slugs with a wax worm.have caught 100s on them.
hey and thanks for showing your ton of ties.will look into those centipede legs.like a colar on my jigs
That's an old picture . I have about that many more by now . Tied up 20 today , to take tomorrow, along with a few hundred I picked out of my inventory . GillchaserQuote:
Originally Posted by jcozzz
I just use these ice jig and teardrops I solder up. Here is that thread. http://www.crappie.com/crappie/jig-t.../345952-bored/Quote:
Originally Posted by eagle 1
Attachment 257075
They'll work year round up here for the gills.Quote:
Originally Posted by shipahoy41
Are these dime size ?
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