Jig Weight

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06-10-2022, 09:14 AM
tackleboat

Jig Weight

Since getting L. Scope I have changed my way of fishing a lot. Thought I’d share, I know some and maybe most will reject my conclusions. Here goes!! I use to fish 1/32 jig always and it was tough when fishing deep. I finally switched to 1/16 to speed up the drop. Catch Rates didn’t suffer. Back in the winter I was fishing spooky schools and couldn’t get close so I switched to 1/8 so I caught more. I have continued to use 1/8 about 80 percent of the time. I have watched how crappie react to the bait enough to remain confident in using the heavier jig. Very few are caught on a falling jig, they like to follow before biting so the heavier jig doesn’t hurt. The heavier jig is better on deeper brush because you can get multiple cast in the same time you’d wait for a 1/32 to get there. The heavier jig is way better on windy days. Less bow in the line and can feel the bite better. Conclusion is try a heavier jig, doesn’t hurt and has several advantages. You might find you like it.

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06-10-2022, 10:32 AM
burdawg

I have heard this from a couple of guides that use livescope. However, I have also heard from others who do just the opposite and downsize in the summer/winter extremes. this past weekend, we stopped getting bit on 1/16ths and switched to 1/64th rigs and the bite picked back up....seems the more I know, the less I know.
06-12-2022, 06:24 PM
Yak Fish

Monday I was running 1/32 jigs with Fin-s-shad & slab sauce on a slow drift & not doing much. Tried letting out more line to increase depth with little success. Switched to a 1/8 oz. VMC swimbait jig with a 4" Keitech easy shiner in Pro blue/red and fished the same area, depth. I immediately started catching more and bigger fish. Most were hooked in the back of the throat instead of lip hooked, they REALLY wanted it. win/win.

Jim
06-13-2022, 07:08 AM
STUMP HUNTER

I tie jigs for a few fisherman in Texas that will not use anything other than a 1/4 oz jig year around. They tell me that is it a waste of their time waiting on a jig to get to the fish. They can't believe that we use a 1/16 oz jig and it blows their mind to hear of a 1/32 oz jig used on standing timber :Cowboy
06-13-2022, 07:35 AM
burdawg

Quote:

Originally Posted by STUMP HUNTER

I tie jigs for a few fisherman in Texas that will not use anything other than a 1/4 oz jig year around. They tell me that is it a waste of their time waiting on a jig to get to the fish. They can't believe that we use a 1/16 oz jig and it blows their mind to hear of a 1/32 oz jig used on standing timber :Cowboy

Ronnie, I think most of those guys in Texas are primarily fishing for White crappie. I think that makes a difference too, I believe they are more aggressive than Black crappie. Also, they tend to be deeper than the blacks...curious as to your thoughts???
06-13-2022, 08:55 AM
91tiger

Great discussion. I mostly striper fish but I am getting into single pole jig fishing for crappie more and more lately. It may be my imagination but I feel like I get hung a lot less casting jigs to submerged brush with a 1/32 than when I use a 1/16. Both jigs have the same exact #4 sickle hook. But I rarely get hung and can feel the jig sliding across the structure with the 1/32. I get a lot of bites when that happens. But if there is much breeze I have to go up in jig size when casting because the line will blow and you can't keep the lighter jig down nearly as well. Now if I drop straight down into the structure instead of casting, and try to slow reel up, I get hung a lot more with the lighter jig for some reason.

I've also noticed a diminishing return on the fall rate the deeper you fish them. I have watched my 1/32nd jig fall on live scope and it takes 12 to 13 seconds to get to 10 feet. I found some really nice fish on a little deeper pile yesterday hanging at 15 feet, so I just added another 6 seconds to my fall count thinking that would have me at 15 feet...wrong. I watched the jig fall on live scope and I was still way above them. To get down to those fish I had to let it fall 28 to 30 seconds, which amazed me. Obviously it's the additional drag of the line, but I was still shocked at the difference. But as soon as I figured out the right depth count I was nailing them. In retrospect, I should have taken a minute to try a 1/16 oz jig and compare the results.
06-13-2022, 11:44 AM
tackleboat

The Point of my post is don’t be afraid to try something different than you’ve done all your life. Livescope has opened my eyes to new stuff and disproved a lot of stuff. Crappie are a strange and it seems evolving creature. It’s fun seeing and learning new things. Heard a Pro say don’t fish memories. That one is hard for me. That’s why sometimes it takes me half a day to find and figure them out. When you run out of options you have to try something new. It has salvaged a lot of bad days and you end up with another tool in the box.

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06-13-2022, 12:03 PM
91tiger

Quote:

Originally Posted by tackleboat

The Point of my post is don’t be afraid to try something different than you’ve done all your life. Livescope has opened my eyes to new stuff and disproved a lot of stuff. Crappie are a strange and it seems evolving creature. It’s fun seeing and learning new things. Heard a Pro say don’t fish memories. That one is hard for me. That’s why sometimes it takes me half a day to find and figure them out. When you run out of options you have to try something new. It has salvaged a lot of bad days and you end up with another tool in the box.

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I really appreciate you sharing your experience. You do bring up a great point about being able to get a lot more casts in by not having to wait so long for the jigs to sink. I've used 1/8 oz and even 3/16 when throwing to open water schools I spot on Livescope in the winter. They seem to move so fast and I can get it down into them better before they move. It just never occurred to me to try the 1/8 around brush piles. I certainly will try it. Especially on the deeper ones.
06-13-2022, 02:06 PM
CrappieKidd

Quote:

Originally Posted by tackleboat

Since getting L. Scope I have changed my way of fishing a lot. Thought I’d share, I know some and maybe most will reject my conclusions. Here goes!! I use to fish 1/32 jig always and it was tough when fishing deep. I finally switched to 1/16 to speed up the drop. Catch Rates didn’t suffer. Back in the winter I was fishing spooky schools and couldn’t get close so I switched to 1/8 so I caught more. I have continued to use 1/8 about 80 percent of the time. I have watched how crappie react to the bait enough to remain confident in using the heavier jig. Very few are caught on a falling jig, they like to follow before biting so the heavier jig doesn’t hurt. The heavier jig is better on deeper brush because you can get multiple cast in the same time you’d wait for a 1/32 to get there. The heavier jig is way better on windy days. Less bow in the line and can feel the bite better. Conclusion is try a heavier jig, doesn’t hurt and has several advantages. You might find you like it.

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I approve of this post. lol :ThumbsUp
Nice post and yes I remember when you just fished 1/32nd and still catch crappie. There are times when different jig weights will do better. Now I am talking about casting single pole or vertical fishing. Black Crappie are more finicky than a white Crappie. I have fished both in different States. Top of brush pile even only 10 feet down sometimes a heavier jig works better. If fish are aggressive they prefer a faster retrieve over the brush pile a 1/8th will give you that staying horizontal adjust above them. Sometimes the jig weight will match the mood they are in.

I know I most likely stay longer on a brush pile then I should but I get the thrill of breaking the code. I really need to go to the stumps and laydowns more to get the bigger ones.

You are right Doug when we first talked about Livescope and I should get it to learn more and thanks for drilling in my head. The learning is so much fun.

Now and then I still fish old school drop a buoy and cast past the brush and retrieve over the brush pile without livescope. Thanks again for the great post.
06-13-2022, 02:19 PM
Foxy Jig

Quote:

Originally Posted by tackleboat

Since getting L. Scope I have changed my way of fishing a lot. Thought I’d share, I know some and maybe most will reject my conclusions. Here goes!! I use to fish 1/32 jig always and it was tough when fishing deep. I finally switched to 1/16 to speed up the drop. Catch Rates didn’t suffer. Back in the winter I was fishing spooky schools and couldn’t get close so I switched to 1/8 so I caught more. I have continued to use 1/8 about 80 percent of the time. I have watched how crappie react to the bait enough to remain confident in using the heavier jig. Very few are caught on a falling jig, they like to follow before biting so the heavier jig doesn’t hurt. The heavier jig is better on deeper brush because you can get multiple cast in the same time you’d wait for a 1/32 to get there. The heavier jig is way better on windy days. Less bow in the line and can feel the bite better. Conclusion is try a heavier jig, doesn’t hurt and has several advantages. You might find you like it.

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It sounds 100% right to me, and for you the proof is in the pudding..from the pics I've seen anyway..are you using spot lock to stay on your brush or markers maybe?
06-13-2022, 02:21 PM
Foxy Jig

a lot will depend on the lake as well, and I know on Wylie you have to get deep and precise
06-13-2022, 04:09 PM
tackleboat

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxy Jig

It sounds 100% right to me, and for you the proof is in the pudding..from the pics I've seen anyway..are you using spot lock to stay on your brush or markers maybe?

I Spotlock unless there is zero wind. I have a separate pole for LS. By Spotlocking I can concentrate on aiming my transducer and adjusting my depth by watching the jig and how the fish react. It’s amazing how the mood of the fish can change from pile to pile.

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06-14-2022, 06:01 AM
TreednNC

Quote:

Originally Posted by burdawg

I have heard this from a couple of guides that use livescope. However, I have also heard from others who do just the opposite and downsize in the summer/winter extremes. this past weekend, we stopped getting bit on 1/16ths and switched to 1/64th rigs and the bite picked back up....seems the more I know, the less I know.

I can rarely get a bite on 1/16th. Granted the times it's mattered that I've fished 1/16th or 1/8th and not got bit, it scared me back into a 1/32 rut.

Quote:

Originally Posted by burdawg

Ronnie, I think most of those guys in Texas are primarily fishing for White crappie. I think that makes a difference too, I believe they are more aggressive than Black crappie. Also, they tend to be deeper than the blacks...curious as to your thoughts???

This 1000%. I had some super aggressive fish Saturday that confused me, but I can almost call my shot on a white crappie on the LS when it hits. Blacks seem to nose up to it MOST of the time, then hit. Whites, in my experience, will charge from several feet away and nail it without giving it a once over. I did have a few decent blacks saturday that surprised me, but I think the fact that the 8-10" were schooled on the brush above it, mobbing it like a school of bream, and the one time I could sneak a jig through them and below to the bigger fish below, he was already fired up from the action that was taking place above him.
06-14-2022, 07:27 AM
STUMP HUNTER

Keith, I agree on whites being more aggressive and that there are a lot of fisherman catching whites to the west of us. The one I have spent hours on the phone with having discussions about colors and sizes and general crappie fishing is catching black crappie in the heat of summer on standing timber with fish holding in the 20' zone. I looked back in my phone for some pictures he sent me but they have already been deleted.

Back to the subject of this thread Tackleboat you are so right about trying different sizes. Thanks for your post as I think it will help fisherman to get out of the habit of only using one size jig.
06-14-2022, 04:12 PM
BigDawgg

Your information will help a few people out that fish brush with LS. I used 1/16th almost all my life and it would be difficult for me to change that habit. I will say though I have added a split shot a time or two just to get the yardage to reach a brush pile, but retrieve was a little faster than normal to prevent hanging up. Missed fish were a lot, I'm sure. Great post TB and I hope to try out your theory. I'll have to pull out the molds and pour some jigs up. I'll wait for a cooler day though to pour them. :Rofl
06-14-2022, 04:27 PM
SuperDave336

I downsize when the fish are finicky or biting light. I think the smaller lighter jig is sucked into their mouth easier and gives me more of a chance to catch them.
06-14-2022, 04:36 PM
tackleboat

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDawgg

Your information will help a few people out that fish brush with LS. I used 1/16th almost all my life and it would be difficult for me to change that habit. I will say though I have added a split shot a time or two just to get the yardage to reach a brush pile, but retrieve was a little faster than normal to prevent hanging up. Missed fish were a lot, I'm sure. Great post TB and I hope to try out your theory. I'll have to pull out the molds and pour some jigs up. I'll wait for a cooler day though to pour them. :Rofl

I also used to add a split shot but couldn’t see the line twitch or feel some bites. Way better with just a heavier jig. You’ll see your line go slack. Won’t see it with a split shot.

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06-14-2022, 05:49 PM
tackleboat

1 Attachment(s)

Attachment 429983
When casting my 1/8 jigs I don’t use the hook recommend by Do-It. I use a size 2 on 1/8 and size 4 on 1/16. I like a size 6 on 1/16 if fishing deep in brush. They don’t hang up as bad. I have cast some 1/8 with a size 4 hooks and I’m sure they would be fine but they just look a little goofy.

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06-14-2022, 07:14 PM
BigDawgg

Size 2 and 4's is what I like also. I'm not a pro at anything but my brother and brother-in-law kept me in line when growing up on fishing Wylie and Wateree for crappie and white bass. Learned a lot from them and a lot from you guys here on CDC. I guess when I stop chasing perch and get proficient with my Mega Live, I can pass on information to others like you'll do. :highfive
06-15-2022, 10:17 AM
CrappieKidd

Quote:

Originally Posted by tackleboat

I also used to add a split shot but couldn’t see the line twitch or feel some bites. Way better with just a heavier jig. You’ll see your line go slack. Won’t see it with a split shot.

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This better chance to see the negative bite. I have gone back to just a jig. You are right better to see line slack casting or verticle.
06-15-2022, 01:12 PM
TreednNC

Ive not had any perceivable issue with not being able to feel fish. If I'm fishing over 10ft deep, I use a 1/16th ounce weight 10-14" above my jig. Then again, unless it's a big fish (on LS) I've stopped spending time on inactive fish that aren't acting like they should. So far, it's only been an issue one day. That was our tourny on Shearon Harris back in February, and I was still wasting time on fish that didn't want to bite. Still finished 4th so I can't complain too bad.