Jigging technique

Origin

Jigging, speed jigging, deep sea jigging, butterfly jigging, vertical jigging, yoyo jigging are all names used for this fishing technic. Originated in Polynesia, it meet a phenomenal rise in Asia, Europe, Oceania, USA and now in Canada. This technique allows to catch the big fish vertically, normally reserved for anglers with heavy gear. Renewed in 1990 by a Japanese "Yoichi Mogi," he was the instigator of most new Jigging equipment (rods, reels, lures JIG) and popularized the style of fishing "Japanese Jigging."

To explore the new fishing areas where other technique can not reach. Jigging aims to place the lure where the fish are located. The secret is to have a good fishing guide to maneuver the boat, placing the jig over the fish, for that you must calculate current strenght and wind, to allow sufficient time for the JIG to reach its target. Subsequently, the fisherman skill makes the difference.

How to jig

Basic jigging technique, let the lure (JIG) reach the bottom and back to the surface by varying the speed and motion, work the water column. On my last trip to Mexico, all predators were between 80 and 130 meters deep, we let the jig reach the bottom and retreive one third of line, then drop down, then wind up and we restart this stratagem until the bite. With a longer rod handle, it's normally wedged under the arm or rested on a fighting belt (harness), we move the rod up and down, while retrieving line. The action generated by this movement ascend the jig by jerk and twitch while giving an illusion of life. The retrieve speed can be fast, slow or long stir. The Jigging is not relaxing, it requires physical exertion and require adapted equipment.

Rod choice

A "jigging" rod is normally shorter, more flexible (with a parabolic action), more resistant and provide a longer handle, allowing you to fish without getting tired. These rods are designed for conventional and spinning reels. The choice of the rod is based on the following criteria: rod weight, max load, lures weight and rod's action. We looking for a balance between strength and flexibility of the rod blank, a harmony between the rod and the reel weight, nobody want to end up with a heavy steel bar or a light strand of spaghetti. Regular spinning rod or boat rod is not recommended because they are not made for vertical motion and you will regret your economical choice. The handle is often too short, the reel support is often misplaced, too stiff or too soft, it will be hard to animate properly the JIG. Certainly good jigging rods are more expensive, but they fill a real need and not just a whim. They are often manufactured in high quality composite, made for heavy use and strong torsion resistance caused by the large bottom fish, but remaining flexible and light.

Reel

The reel should be strong with a good drag, otherwise you'll only fish once. We adjust the drag at 30% of the line strength, of course, reel drag adjustment will be adapted to the strength of the rod. Example: If you use 50 lb test braided line, the drag will be set at 15 lbs and the rod should bears at least 15 lb (LOAD). I insist on the reel strength, often fishes are generally bigger and stronger, but reeling all day, moving the rod up and down, the mechanism of the reel is under heavy pressure. We encourage you to use a real jigging reel.

JIG lures

Jigs are usually made in metal, weight between 100 to 300 grams. There are two main types of JIG on the market, "Center weight" or "tail weight", ie On the center weight, weight is balance around the center of the jig, tail weight are placed towards the tail. Center weight jig is mainly used for shallower water and they descend more slowly and have a sideways movement.

The "Tail weight" jig is balanced with a weight near the tail. This jig is designed to be placed in the bottom quickly and lift with a little action. These jigs are used for deep fish. They are more streamlined, thinner, provide less resistance in the current and require less effort to manipulation.

Whether is long or short, the choice depends on the current's strength and the depth of your fishing area. Heavy lure will get down faster and will stay vertical, for against, it will be harder to handle and require more effort. If it is too light, it will take more time to reach bottom and will have a open angle (current), but it will be less physical. The jig length will also affects the descent of the lure, for against, a big lure takes bigger fish. If you fish from 90 to 130 meters deep with a moderate current, a 150 to 230 grams JIG will be perfect. Calculate 100gr by 50 meters deep. My favorite colors are pink / silver, green / gold, red / white fluorescent, Silver, Orange. Before buying a JIG, validate the "Lure weight" on your rod.

Line & leader

The braid line size depends on the rod strength (usually from 50 to 80 lb). We will often use PE terminolgy to indicate the strength of the line, calculate about 10 pounds per PE, such as: PE5 is about 50 lbs. The recommended length is about 300-500 yards. We also use a long leader measuring two to three times the length of the rod. Choose the leader size based on the size of the jig and its weight. If you decide to fish with more delicacy, use fluorocarbon ( finer and more resistant to abrasion). Now, there's new braid line whose color changes every 10 meters, it becomes very convenient to locate the depth (just count colors)

Advice

Lure weight      Leader size
120-150 gr       60-80 lb (Fluorocarbon)
170-200 gr       100-130 lb (Nylon)
230-300 gr       130-150 lb (Nylon)

Rigs & knot

The braid is connected to leader by PR KNOT, this node is designed to pass through rod guides with a minimum of friction. Avoiding ceramic rings breakage inside the guide. It takes some skill to achieve this knot, but result worth it. Requires a fly tying bobbin. Watch the video to see how to make it. Great for popping or jigging, it's the best knot to use when you need to attach a long leader.

The hook with the small kevlar rope (1.5 to 3 inches long) is named "Assist hook." Normally one "Assist hook" is enough, but some fishermen prefer a double hooks (as example: 2 x # 5 / 0) to increase the catch ratio. Myself, I prefer a single big hook, size #7/0 to 9/0 and I make sure that hooks gap is larger than the widest part of the JIG. Usally, the assist hooks, Jig and leader are attached to a metal ring called "Ring Solid", serving as an anchor point. But, you can also use a swivel as an anchor point, as shown in the picture. That avoiding twisted lines.

To attach the jig to leader, we use a node « Improved trilene knot » or San Diego Jam knot for big leader. For smaller leader, it's better to use a "AG Chain Knot", the stronger knot as i know. Fish bites are very obvious when you feel your jig slow down or become heavier, that mean Fish ON. Do not hesitate to set the hooks few time.

Accessory

I strongly recommend you to use a fighting belt, if you do not want to have a back pain or bruise on your belly, pliers for split ring, knife, gloves to protect your hands (braid), fly tying bobbin for PR knot (Add some weight inside the bobbin).