Among a fairly large number of spinning fishing techniques, jig fishing is gaining more and more popularity every year. For beginner spinning, this kind of fishing often seems too complicated. However, its effectiveness motivates people to learn technology and improve their skills. Today we will figure out what jig fishing is and find out what is needed to master it.
Definition
The main distinguishing feature of jig fishing is its specific wiring. Once upon a time, it was borrowed from Asian fishermen who used it to catch squid. Since then, much has changed and gear has become more technologically advanced, but the essence of the wiring remains.
When fishing for jig use torn or stepped wiring. Especially for it, manufacturers produce jig heads that are installed on all kinds of silicone baits: twisters, vibro-tails, crustaceans, worms and others. Most of them are made from plain rubber, but some are made from food grade rubber.
Fishing rod
Now proceed to the selection of gear for fishing for a jig. First of all, you need to choose a fishing rod. When choosing a spinning rod, it is worth paying attention to three main criteria: length, test and sensitivity. Properly choosing a fishing rod for a particular weight of baits, the spinning player will be able to feel the work of the bait as finely as possible and respond to bites in time.
Rod length
The length of the spinning rod for jig fishing is selected depending on the fishing conditions. If fishing is carried out from a clean coast, the length of the fishing rod can reach up to three meters. If the shore is overgrown, then it is worth abandoning such dimensions. In such conditions, it is worth using a fishing rod with a length of about 2.5 meters.
When fishing for a jig from a boat, the issue of long-range casting fades into the background, which means that you can use the shortest spinning rods here.
Test
The test is the weight of the bait with which the rod will work as efficiently as possible. It is worth picking it up under a class of baits which the fisherman prefers. As a rule, beginners start with heavy ones, because they still cannot feel the game of lungs. Therefore, for starters, you can buy a fishing rod with a test of about 40 g, and then, as you master the jig technique, switch to a more sensitive spinning.
Sensitivity
In order for the angler to react in time to the bite, the rod must be sensitive. This quality of spinning is formed from two indicators: the structure and the ratio of the weight of the baits to the dough. When using small baits on a fishing rod with a large dough, it makes no sense to talk about its structure. Therefore, in order for the system indicated on the form to have practical implementation, it is worth working only with those baits that correspond to the test rod.
Coil
Beginners do not have to buy expensive coils of famous brands. However, over-saving is also not recommended. The coil must be reliable and have a smooth ride. When choosing it, you should make sure of the build quality and the absence of backlash. It is desirable that it has at least three bearings. A mandatory criterion is the availability of a reliable friction brake, which is especially important when fishing for a predator.
Usually anglers, and especially beginners, prefer to use inertialess reels. Of course, inertial ones are also suitable for spinning fishing, but their use is associated with a number of difficulties, and, as a rule, only experienced anglers use them to expand their skills. From a practical point of view, their use is impractical today.
As for the multiplier reels, they are used only by professionals aimed at catching especially large fish. Thus, the average inertia-free reel will be an excellent tool in beginner jig fishing.
Fishing line
There are three types of fishing line on the fishing tackle market:
- classic monophilic;
- modern wicker;
- even more modern fluorocarbon.
Each of the species has its own advantages and disadvantages. Fluorocarbon is invisible in water, so it is often used for leashes. When fishing at short distances, monofilament fishing line works well . Due to the low price, many spinningists prefer it.
At medium and long fishing distances, it is preferable to use a braided line (cord). It is stronger than monophilic, with the same thickness. Thus, a thin "braid" corresponds to a thicker monofilament. The thinner the fishing line, the less windage it creates when casting. That is why anglers, for whom it is important to cast the bait for a long distance, choose a cord. Another indisputable advantage of the cord is low tensile. Due to this feature, the fish bite is transmitted to the tip of the rod as efficiently as possible. Due to the fact that the braided line is practically not stretched, it alone cannot compensate for jerking fish, so using it, you must necessarily release the friction brake.
Jig fishing: lures
In jig fishing mainly silicone baits are used. Nevertheless, jigging allows you to work also with oscillating and foam lures. All other spinning lures (wobblers, turntables, poppers, etc.), due to their design features, are not used in this type of fishing.
For example, a spinner is good for uniform wiring, and the game of a wobbler depends not only on the actions of the angler, but on the design of his blade.
So, silicone baits are used in jigging most widely. In the market of fishing tackle they are presented in a huge assortment. Thanks to the successful structural properties of silicone, not only a copy of the fish can be made from it, but also copies of all kinds of insects. Silicone lures are available in a wide range of sizes and colors. Some of them have aroma, and some are even edible.
The size of the intended prey is the main criterion in the selection of baits for fishing for jig. For example, pike and pike perch are caught on large baits up to 10 cm long. There are a lot of such lengths for perch, and 3-5 centimeters just right. The type and color of the bait is selected depending on the fishing conditions, season and taste preferences of the fish in a particular reservoir. The answer to the question of which lures are catching when fishing for a jig depends on a huge number of factors. The set of spinning player should have different size, color and shape of the bait, as there is always room for experiment in fishing.
Mounting
Attaching the bait to the tackle can be of several types:
- Classic. It involves the use of jig heads - a weight soldered with a hook.
- Articulated. In this case, the hook is attached to the "eared sinker" (pellet, which soldered two loops) directly or through the ring. In fact, hinged differs from the classic mounting only in mobility and the ability to quickly change the weight of the bait during fishing.
- Texas This is a swivel installation, in which weights of a purely oblong shape are used. When fishing in thickets, they cling less.
- Caroline. It differs from the previous fastening in that the cargo bullet is attached not to the hook, but to the fishing line, at a distance of 50-120 cm from the bait. Used to attract a passive predator.
- Leashback. It involves the use of a heavy sinker, which is attached to the end of the main fishing line. The bait clings higher on a leash. The advantage of this installation is that it allows you to cast long-range light bait without sacrificing its game.
- Drop shot. The idea is about the same as in the previous case, only the bait is attached directly to the fishing line, slightly higher from the sinker.
Jig head selection
When selecting jig heads, it is worth taking into account their weight, shape, as well as the dimensions of the bait for which they are intended. The weight of jig heads starts from one gram and reaches tens of grams. Small jig heads (1-4 g) are used for ultralight baits up to 5 cm long. On such a tandem you can successfully catch miscellaneous perch and small pikes. To make it well cast, the fishing line should be up to 0.01 mm thick, and the fishing rod with the dough no more than 10 g. Otherwise, the bait will fly close, and the angler will not be able to feel how she plays.
The most widely used jig heads weighing from 5 to 20 g, which are paired with large silicone spinners. They perform well in fishing for jigging for zander, pike and large perch. Beginning spinningists should pay attention to just such a weight.
Large baits allow you to master the wiring and learn how to feel the tackle. Choosing a head for it, it is worth paying attention not only to their proportionality, but also to how quickly the finished equipment will reach the bottom. If at the deepest point of the fished area the load with the bait falls to the bottom in less than seven seconds, then it is heavy. Depending on the shape of the jig head, it can be of the following types:
The spherical shape is most common. The only drawback of such a weight is that it falls to one side when it reaches the bottom. Weights made in the form of an iron or a rugby ball are free of such problems, but they are more difficult to find in the fishing market due to weak demand. As practice shows, the shape of the sinker of the jig head does not affect the effectiveness of fishing. The main component of success here is proper wiring.
Fishing technique
The main distinguishing feature of jig fishing is stepped wiring. It is on it worth dwelling in more detail. The step-wiring cycle consists of two stages - winding the fishing line (3-5 turns of the reel) and waiting for the moment when the bait falls to the bottom. After casting it is necessary to immediately exhaust the slack and take the spinning so that its angle of inclination relative to the surface of the water is approximately equal to 45 degrees. This angle is needed for more effective hooking and more control over the bait.
During the posting, you can help her play by short jerking the rod in different directions. When spinning to jig, bite usually occurs during a pause, when the bait freely sinks to the bottom.
At this point, it is necessary to carefully monitor the tip of the rod, which in case of bite will act as a signaling device. When a bite has occurred, you must immediately make a short and sharp hook.
Then the most enjoyable stage of fishing begins, confirming the correctness and expediency of the previous actions - fighting. At the same time, for beginners, spinning can be challenging, especially if a large fish is caught on a hook and the pond has shores overgrown with reeds. Therefore, for beginners mastering jig fishing for pike, zander or large perch, it is recommended that you always take a landing net with you.
Some helpful tips
As mentioned above, jig baits can be worn both on a jig head and on a hook connected to a sinker directly or through a fishing line. At first glance, it seems that there is no practical difference in erection, but in fact they all differ in casting distance and bait behavior.
Based on this, it is recommended to experiment with different mounting options (at least with two main ones: a jig head and a hook with an “eared sinker”) in order to determine the most effective of them for a particular bait in a specific reservoir.
When the pond is very short, an offset hook comes to the aid of the spinning team. After installing the silicone bait, the sting of such a hook is hidden in her body, forming an unengaged tackle.
Seasonality
Perhaps the best time of year for jig fishing is spring, at least early. Since the predator is just beginning to wake up in the spring, and its belly is filled with caviar and milk, small baits work best during this period.
In summer, jig fishing fades into the background. On hot days, you can achieve the best results using spinners, wobblers, spinner bait and more. However, at great depths in rivers and lakes, jig fishing remains relevant.
Autumn, like spring, is an excellent period for jig fishing. At this time of the year, the predator begins to go deep and eats actively in order to gain weight for the winter. As winter approaches, the effectiveness of jig fishing is growing.