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How many of you guys that fish from shore like to use a jig under a float? I use the small trout magnet floats and after I cast just give a light twitch, let it settle, twitch again as I'm slowly reeling back to shore. Seems I have better luck as I have a hard time keeping jigs at "fish depth" just by casting and reeling. Am I wrong in doing this or is there a better way when fishing from the bank.( We don't own a boat.)
That is a perfectly acceptable way. If the fish are relating to a depth from the top, a float is the best way. If they're relating to a distance from the bottom, then a drop shot could be a better method.
If you are trying to keep the jig mostly still, try maribou. It looks like a wet dog out of the water and when moving, but when holding still, the fibers/feathers fluff out and look like they're "breathing". If you apply a juice or sauce of any kind, apply it near the head, not on the feathers that "poof". That stuff will kill the action of maribou.
We normally fish in ponds/small rivers under 10' in depth. If I'm fishing any bigger lakes I'm with a buddy in a boat. We have had good luck though on "bigger" lakes with this method fishing parallel to shore. I like using floats but sometimes feel like its a kid thing when I'm using them! I just didn't know if there was a better or preferred method. I'm not real new to fishing but most stuff, especially bluegill, has been learn on my own.
If it works for you then it’s fine. If not I would say change....lol. Whatever works and how you prefer to fish is up to each individual. I haven’t used many floats for crappie but it is very fun watching that float jump then go under.
I dispense with the twitching and just reel very slowly. Between the bobber’s tendency to weave slowly side-to-side and whatever wave action there is it seems to work most days.
I am firmly in the "no jig and float" camp. I can think of no good reasons to do it and several reasons to not do it. YMMV
All the time.
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Could you elaborate on that a little more? Not trying to be a smart aleck but would like to hear both pros and consQuote:
Originally Posted by deathb4disco
Jakesdad check your PMs
Biggest con - most sunfish varieties spend much of their time near the bottom.
Biggest pro - float keeps jigs out of the weeds on shallow weedy flats where a lot of sunfish also often like to hang out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jakesdad
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.
I use those too. They offer a huge bag of them, really good deal.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jakesdad
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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.
True, but bait doesn't stay in one spot ... particularly if there's a predator nearby. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Schmoopie
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...
No float for me 99 percent of the time.
Regards
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seeing how IMO you are wrong, lets hear all of your reasons, for and againstQuote:
Originally Posted by deathb4disco
inquiring minds want to know :ThumbsUp
Post 11Quote:
Originally Posted by fiveeyes
I'm 50 years old and will NEVER grow tired of seeing a float go under! lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Jakesdad
That's right, sometimes fish are congregated in one little spot, and a lure will is zip right past them, whereas with a slip float, you can drop it right on their head,and they can't ignore it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Schmoopie
I keep an open mind to all strategies in the sport fishing arena and never shrug off anothers method unless it's illegal.
Bass fishermen call it float n fly fishing.
Steelhead fisherman call it bobber dogging.
Trout fisherman call it float or bubble fishing.
Pan fishermen call it bobber fishing.
Fly fishermen call it indicator fishing.
Europeans label it float fishing and they are experts at it.
They've been employing floats in their angling sports a long time. They sponsor both European and World float fishing competitions:
YouTube
To each their own and what works for them.
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I was a member of Team USA that competed at the 1997 world champs in Velence, Hungary. USA FLAGQuote:
Originally Posted by MtnFisher
I prefer a jig or a bladed jig (road runner ) most of the time how ever my #1 go to farm pond has a solid grass/moss covered bottom . It becomes difficult to stay above (moss ) it as summer gets closer . A small float allows to fish slower and above the moss . In deeper water I remove float normally . Where you fish will change your techniques . I love a sandy / small gravel lake so a 1/64 or 1/32 squirrel tail jig can be crawled across the bottom . Want happen in the farm pond . :twocents
Yes, I always have one rod rigged up with a slip float, and another rigged for micro lures.Quote:
Originally Posted by MtnFisher
These fish were all caught on small jigs fished under a fixed weighted float this spring. Fished 2' to 6' deep. The jigs weight in the 1/64 oz range. The weighted floats are comet brand 3/4" diameter and bought at Wal mart. When fish leave shallows they don't work. Those are 6" deck boards. Attachment 379598Attachment 379599Attachment 379600Attachment 379601Attachment 379602Attachment 379603Attachment 379604Attachment 379605Attachment 379606Attachment 379607
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Quote:
Originally Posted by z520tom
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I fish alot of rip rap rocky areas and use very small floats n small jigs. I catch fish and have fun.Attachment 379679Attachment 379680Attachment 379681
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floats are deadly for crappie with tiny jigs, caught about a thousand crappie between me and another guy last year off local pier when no one else could catch anything casting and reeling.. Crappie in this lake want the lure in front of their face for a bit, occasionally they will hit a cast/reeled jig with no float but castch 5 to one with tiny trout magnet bobbers/jig. Also I prefer to cast/reel the jig at a slow steady pace but will do whatever the fish prefer.
I fish from shore from time to time. I balance my floats for the weight of the jig i am using. I wrap lead wire or solder around the shaft of the float for balance. The weight of the jig will pull the float vertical. If I get a up bite the float will go horizontal.
The extra weight adds distance to my casts.