I haven't had much success tossing jigs shallow, but I'd really like
to gain some confidence in this technique.....any tips ?
Heavy or light ?
Casted into the weeds or edge of weeds ?
Swim it, hop it or crawl it ?

Thanks
Don

...on the situation.

If you are fishing weed lines and the water has some color to it. I prefer a 1/4-3/8oz jig, with pork this time of year on my flipping stick with 25lb test. Pitch it out and shake it. During the cold months dont move it to far since the fish probally wont go and get it. In the summer months I do really well making long pitches over the top of weed beds on the Delta on a incoming tide and this has worked on some lakes as well.

I you are fishing shallow water with more rock then weeds or even a little mixed together with water vis. at 5+ ft like on a lot of lakes. Try a 1/4oz football head jig fish it slow and let the fish tell you if they want it popped or just dragging. I use a Castaway WRM610 for this type of jig fishing making longer casts instead of pitches. I prefer 10-14lb test for this as well. This can be a great way to catch big fish during the middle of the day when the fish come up to munch craws.

Thanks Lake...

Do you pitch these lighter jigs in the weeds or just outside the
weedline ?

It seems like the fish are either deep 15-25 feet, or sheltering from the sun in the weeds. I can usualy get a decent bite out deep, but
I'm having a tuff time working the weeds.


Don

Sorry for the delay on the reply.

If you are fishing a jig in the weeds but in deep water try a 1/4oz jig but with a low pro trailer so it will get down there in a decent amount of time. If the fish are shallower but barried in the weeds you can fish the light jig but the weeds cant be to choked up or it will be tough to get it to the fish. If you are fishing the worse of all these conditions 15-25ft depth and the fish are barried at the bottom of the weeds. I wouldnt be using a jig at all.

fish are they can be spooky. I'm sure you've heard this before but if you know the fish are shallow or right on the bank, make sure to pitch ON TO the bank. I'm not talking about on the edge but a foot up then bring the lure down. Also on those sunny days I think you're thinking about, make sure to not throw the shadow on them as it too can spook the fish.

I can't tell you how many times in late winter, early spring I've spooked fish by hitting the water with my jig, spinnerbait or whatever. BUT, when I did start working from my lure off the shore it seemed to get bit WAY more often!

Good luck!

Todd

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