Jig/Pig

[Hester]

Just wondering what kind/size line works best for jignpig fishing.

Mostly fishing in pencil reeds and deep water around the weed line or milfoil mats?

thanks, Hester

[TR21HP]

You can go old school and use 20 Lb. mono or go 60-80 lb. braid. Depends on if you're fishing edges or if you're in the thick of it.

[Deitz Dittrich]

So much of line choice is personal pref. A lot also has to do with the kind of water you normally fish and the rod you are using too. I have 4 rods always rigged and ready to go for flipping/pitching, some are jig rods.. some punch skirt some, just what I call a Deitz Rig.. but its really all the same gear, just a different profile.. of the 4 rods this is the line I use. 17lb mono on one, 20lb Floro on 2 and 65 Braid on the 4th. It really depends on the cover I am fishing which gets the most use.

[river rat316]

Im not near as cool as Deitz, I only have 2 dedicated jig rods, one has 65lb braid and the other has 20lb Yozuri Hybrid. I have a lighter jig rod I use for finesse jigs that has 12lb yozuri Hybrid on it, but that also sees light t-rig duty.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Im not near as cool as Deitz, I only have 2 dedicated jig rods, one has 65lb braid and the other has 20lb Yozuri Hybrid. I have a lighter jig rod I use for finesse jigs that has 12lb yozuri Hybrid on it, but that also sees light t-rig duty.

Duuuuuuude, my cool status ran out years ago.. I aint no where near cool. But does look like we fish similar!

[slopmaster]

since i only have one jig rod im in a bit more of a pickle than both of you. I like 50 lb braid for pure strenght and have had good luck with this in the past, but i am trying 20 lb p-line cx premium this year and so far its worked great. Time will only tell though, when i start fishing more thick slop conditions.

[river rat316]

My one with braid pulls double duty as my frog rod. I rarely use it for jigs, but it is nice to have the choice if I need it.

[RK]

Hiya -

I use a couple different setups, depending on cover. In rushes, it's 65# braid, and I think 50# braid is the minimum in rushes or rice. For along deep weed edges or where the cover isn't so thick around docks, etc., it's either 15# or 12# fluoro.

I used to carry multiple jig rods, but trying to eliminate uni-tasker rods and clean out the rod box a little. I think you can cover the bases pretty well with two combos.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Craigums]

Ive got 50lb braid on one setup, and 15lb flouro on another

[Cecil]

2-7'6" rods with 65# braid

1-7'6" rod with 20# flouro

1-7'11" rod with 25# flouro

that's how I roll

[Craigums]

Cecil, You like using longer fishing rods? I always feel clumsy when using anything much over 7''

[Cecil]

I do. I feel like I get a much better hookset and fighting ability. I am also 6-3 so that helps...

[Meat-Run]

sorry to steal the thread but, Cecil how did you do up on Leech on opener?

mr

[Cecil]

Once I stopped trying to figure out what they were doing and realized I was on leech and they only do like 2 things and 1 of those things wasn't up yet. I did ok. Nothing huge, but caught some decent fish.

My big dumb brain keeps getting in the way of my fishing!

[RK]

Once I stopped trying to figure out what they were doing and realized I was on leech and they only do like 2 things and 1 of those things wasn't up yet.

Bahahahaa... That's so spot on. Leech is such a weird lake.

[Meat-Run]

Yea, sometimes we "over-think" our presentations or approach and we have to remember that there only fish and they only worry about 2 things...eat and breed, eat and breed, kind like some of my old roomates I had in college, very predictable!!!

thanks,

mr

[river rat316]

So you still have to be in college to think like that? Looks like I need to go!

[Cecil]

Hmm, I am 2 for 2 on overthinking this year!!! Off to a GREAT start...

[thatoneguy]

Once I stopped trying to figure out what they were doing and realized I was on leech and they only do like 2 things and 1 of those things wasn't up yet. I did ok. Nothing huge, but caught some decent fish.

My big dumb brain keeps getting in the way of my fishing!

I just moved to Leech last year, and I'd like to try some bass fishing (I live on Steamboat Bay). I have no idea what those two things might be, or how I should start. Any pointers for a newbie?

[RK]

I just moved to Leech last year, and I'd like to try some bass fishing (I live on Steamboat Bay). I have no idea what those two things might be, or how I should start. Any pointers for a newbie?

Depending on where you're at on Steamboat Bay you may not have to start your outboard Leech largemouths are generally shallow to very shallow, and rushes and rice are the main things. You need to be pretty well loaded for bear to fish in the stuff - flipping sticks and at least 50# braid. It's combat fishing. Flip jig and pig or plastic worms, cover bigger areas with spoons like Jawbreakers, and just go explore. Chances are you'll find some areas that are productive. Steamboat, Sucker and Boy Bays are the best known areas on Leech for bass, but there are fish all over the lake really.

[Cecil]

Second that. Grab 2 rods both broomsticks. One with a jawbreaker spoon, the other with a topwater frog. Rice should be getting close to enough cover, although some sun would do wonders for shallows right now. Steamboat has plenty of water to fish for them.

[thatoneguy]

Wow - glad to hear I'm so close to good bass action! I live just north of Anderson's Cove Resort, if that helps. All I have are med-light walleye rods right now. I assume that I'll need to get something heavier, and will I need a sturdier reel like a baitcaster as well?

I sure appreciate the tips. My brother is in the Army down in Kansas, and will be coming up on leave the first week of July. I'd love to be able to get him on some nice bass!

[Cecil]

Yeah, no chance you get a bass out of that stuff with a spinning rod. You will get the bites and maybe get one hooked but after that, you will lose. Email me closer to your trip and I will get you some good areas to look at. [email protected]

[thatoneguy]

Will do - much appreciated!

I guess one more question I should ask: since I don't know a ton about bass fishing gear, what would you guys recommend for a good power fishing rod/reel combo platter that won't completely break my budget?

[RK]

Hiya -

Cecil is right on about the gear. With a spinning rod, if you hook one, the fight will last about 2 seconds...

You can get a decent set-up for a pretty reasonable price really. For this kind of fishing a $300 rod is totally unnecessary. Berkley Lighting Rods, the St. Croix Mojo Series and Shimano all make very reasonably priced flipping sticks. Get a reel to match it - a Shimano Citica is good, but Abu, Pfleuger, Quantum and Daiwa all make decent reels in the $80-100 range - and a spool of braid and you're set. I'd stop in to that big tackle store in Walker. Explain what you're up to and they'll help you out.

Have fun. Leech is an awesome bass fishery.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm