how to get those light jigs "out there"

[Burnham]

ok so yesterday when it was windy i was havin a lil trouble getting my lighter jigs out there. up until this year i have been mostly just an ice angler and river guy so i need help with these small stinkin jigs!!!

im pretty sure i was throwin out a 1/16(fluflu), and my bud was usin a smaller jig, i think 1/32 and was havin troubles (fluflu)..dont pay much attention to exact size, going to start though. but what are your guys techniques for getting that added weight to cast it, i really prefer cast and retrieve but will bobber fish if need be. i have an ultralight g-loomis gl2 with a stradic 1000, and it does help getting those jigs out there..just need some help still.

more than anything i just hear about guys catchin fish on 1/32 and 1/64 and smaller jigs and just was wondering how yall cast them jigs or how ya fish them. feels like a weird question to ask, but idk

[Fly2day]

Casting bobbers...I add on a weighted slip bobber and set the depth I want to jig at, even on the bottom. Its just that little something extra to get those small jigs to go more than 10 feet..You can still cast and retrive this way too do it this was a lot when fishing for panfish.

[Burnham]

ok..yea i have been using slip bobbers when i give up on casting and retrieving. will have too look for weighted ones, seems like that could help even more. thanks!!

[Fly2day]

Burnham I edited my post didnt see you were using slip bobbers already but yeah they do make weighted ones also you dont need to put a bobber stop on your line either its just for casting.

[waterbound]

On the same line with the slip bobbers you should try setting them at the depth you'd like the jigs set to and retrieve it very slowly, slow enough that the bobber doesn't tip noticeably. This has been very effective for and helps get the jig out further.

[Burnham]

ok. thanks guys! definately gunna be toying around with the bobbers. helps a ton. gotta love this forum!

[jwmiller33]

i wouldnt hesitate to up the size of the jig your using if the conditions are tough (ie windy and big waves)... somedays, a 1/32 jig will work just fine, then the next day, you go to the exact same spot and the wind has picked up and you no longer have the "touch" and "feel" you need with the small jig in those conditions... i always keep different sizes of all the jigs i have just for this scenario...

[delmuts]

One thing that makes a difference is the line you use. For the small stuff i use 4# mono. This will help some.

If fishing shallow(5 ft or less) i use a pegged float much of the time( if i can't see the line).Many times i will use a slightly larger float than you would normally use, then place a slit shot right under the float for casting distance.( yes you will loose some senitivity since the float can't fall over if the fish just picks up the jig.(it's a trade off) For fishing deeper then a slip float.

[Deitz Dittrich]

lots of great advice.. I dont have much to add really.. Lighter line, heavier bobber.. Longer rods help too, with larger reels/spool.

[ole matty]

Also try use wind to cast with not against. Back in day when I was panfish freak. I would go out everyday catching panfishes all summer long, use your anchor to postion the boat facing wind mayb 10-15 ft from where you think fish is. I use 1/16-1/32 all the time sometime I cast my jig not far from my boat and held my rod high and let wave do work with jigs and let more line go once it's above the weed pocket. Those bluegills goes nuts for flu flu when it's windy day.

My other suggestion is poiston your boat under where fish is and jigging the jig with 1/16 sinker 12-15" above the jig. If you run in big school you can stay in same spot aaalllllllll day and catching fish after fish after fish.

[Grum]

Try a "water bobber", commonly used for fishing flies with spinning gear, this will let you adjust the amount of additional weight needed to cast your desired distance and can be easily adjusted if you choose to change lure sizes without having to add or remove split shot.