What Is tight lining?

I am still learning so may I ask a question? How would you guys define "tight lining"? I have always thought of it as casting and reeling and keeping the line tight as you retrieve it. I have been fishing with 6' spinning rods casting 1/16 oz jigs on 6# test line. I usually fish in bayous with waters not much more than 6-8 feet deep and generally catch in 2 to 4 feet....I just bought 2 rods that are 8' long with small spinning reels on them. So, If I am fishing in 2 to 4 feet of water and just kind of jigging around stumps and trees in the water, is this the same as "tight lining"?

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Originally Posted by Osnola

? How would you guys define "tight lining"? I have always thought of it as casting and reeling and keeping the line tight as you retrieve it.

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Yes, that's what they mean, just working a jig without a float,sometimes it can mean fishing on the bottom (still fishing) also.

My style of fishing that I refer to as tightlining is this. Fishing straight down from the rod tip. No casting just presenting the bait/lure at a certain depth where you believe the fish to be.

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What they said!

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Originally Posted by silverside

My style of fishing that I refer to as tightlining is this. Fishing straight down from the rod tip. No casting just presenting the bait/lure at a certain depth where you believe the fish to be.

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That's what I've always considered as "tight lining" ... but, without the boat moving - either tied up or anchored. I was introduced to the term "tightline fishing" or "tightlining" since I've been on this site (going on 20yrs) but prior to that it was always called "still fishing" in my circle. Not drifting, trolling with a "tight line", nor casting & retrieving with a "tight line" .... just fishing straight down below the rod tip from a stationary rod & boat (bobbers/floats not used). I learned the term "still fishing" from my Grandfather some 60yrs ago.

I call it vertical jigging from 2' to 20 ' but i never stay stationary alway moving with trolling motor.

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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

That's what I've always considered as "tight lining" ... but, without the boat moving - either tied up or anchored. I was introduced to the term "tightline fishing" or "tightlining" since I've been on this site (going on 20yrs) but prior to that it was always called "still fishing" in my circle. Not drifting, trolling with a "tight line", nor casting & retrieving with a "tight line" .... just fishing straight down below the rod tip from a stationary rod & boat (bobbers/floats not used). I learned the term "still fishing" from my Grandfather some 60yrs ago.

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This is the way my uncle always fishes. One pole. One jig. No bobbers. No minnows. He sits on the very front of his boat & skulls with a small oar. No trolling motor. No electronics.

In my opinion catching a crappie on a jig at the end of a 10’ jig pole is the best thrill American outdoors sporting has to offer!!! Something about that THUMP!!!


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I've vertical jigged and "tight line" fished. From the boat vertical jigging is great if you have electronics. But from the bank, no bobber and casting a small jig and steady retrieve I've never had any luck. I'm not good at the count down to the depth and it always seems the crappie are wanting something real still and barely moving. So I do a "float and fly". Jig under a slip bobber probing different depths. Pull it a little, let it pause, repeat. But the experts here always say ditch the bobber. I dont get it.

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Originally Posted by BAFishBarn

But the experts here always say ditch the bobber. I dont get it.

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I agree, float fishing is just another tool/method in your arsenal to catch fish.I always have one rod rigged "float and fly" and one rigged "tight line" to see what works best.

I use a bobber in shallow areas, rip rap, shore fishing, but for crappie I usually vertical jig near brush and docks/ boat slips. I catch a lot of fish using a bobber in rip rap.

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Thanks for all the responses. I think what I do is more of what is referred to here as "Float Fishing". Slowly moving along the shore line and vertically jigging a soft plastic with jig head around the base of cypress trees, lay downs and grass from about 2' to 4' depth. I have begun to learn "dock shooting" and found that this technique works well not only around and under docks, but to get my lure under neath the overhanging branches. For dock shooting, I use a 5'6" ultralight rod with a small spinning reel on it.

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Originally Posted by Osnola

Thanks for all the responses. I think what I do is more of what is referred to here as "Float Fishing". Slowly moving along the shore line and vertically jigging a soft plastic with jig head around the base of cypress trees, lay downs and grass from about 2' to 4' depth. I have begun to learn "dock shooting" and found that this technique works well not only around and under docks, but to get my lure under neath the overhanging branches. For dock shooting, I use a 5'6" ultralight rod with a small spinning reel on it.

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Do you use a float ?

Probably 50% of the time I use a float. Techno 2000, I see you are from New Orleans. I live in Covington and fresh water fish Bayou Lacombe, the Tchefuncte, and Bayou Cane. Tightlining Speckled trout and redfish is different than tightlining the Sac A Lait...Been doing a lot more saltwater than fresh the past few years...

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Originally Posted by Osnola

Probably 50% of the time I use a float. Techno 2000, I see you are from New Orleans. I live in Covington and fresh water fish Bayou Lacombe, the Tchefuncte, and Bayou Cane. Tightlining Speckled trout and redfish is different than tightlining the Sac A Lait...Been doing a lot more saltwater than fresh the past few years...

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Yes,I know all those spots,somebody took me Bayou Lacombe years ago, where we caught huge Gills with popping bugs and fly rods, it was a blast.

you might try your hand at loose lining , its not near as popular but to be sure a limp line and a slow as heck fall under a dock can sure enough load up your rod with slabs .
sometimes opposites attract my friend .

Call it tight lining or vertical jigging....gotta luv the thump!

In winter we mark are lines...depth is critical as well as presentation. Many times I will cast out the jig...count a few seconds and then slowly reel in the excessive line till I hit my mark on the line. Many times when you do this the bigger crappie will just barely hit it...they just inhale it. Gotta watch your line sometimes for there are, in many cases, not the THUMP.

None of these descriptions are what i would call modern day "tight lining". The method i have learned since being on here for tight lining is this.

4-8 rods out front in rod holders. Up to 1-1.5 oz split shot sinkers to keep the bait at depth while using the trolling motor to troll at .5-.7 mph. I have only fished this way in a friends boat. He is very good at this technique. The other methods described in this post are what i call casting or still fishing. Of course you can stop trolling and still fish if you get over a school of fish too.