clear/stained water regarding tip-ups vs. jigging

[Guest]

In the previous topic "tip-ups vs jigging" there appeared to be a bit of a consensus that jigging worked better in stained water wereas tip-ups worked better in clear. Were does one draw the line? For example, I can see bottom in 10 ft. of water so I'll go with tip-ups or I can only see bottom in 4 ft. of water so I'll jig. In other words, how deep would the light penetration need to be to make that determination?

[hawgTime]

eso

This is a very complexed process which involves many steps. First, tie an eighth oz. pink(nonflouresent) jig to 3lb. flourocarbon test line. Next drill a hole at a 91 degree angle to the rising sun (if the sun isn't rising--pack up your stuff and come back tomorrow because the conditions are indeterminate.) Proceed by dropping your jig down the hole while wearing your Amber-vision sunglasses. Then measure the distance, with a micrometer, how far the jig goes down the hole before it disappears. From 0-1'--use 2 jigging rods. From 1-3'--use 1 jigging rod and 1 tipup. From 3-10'--use 2 or more tipups.

Oh, and if that doesn't work. Use one of each until you determine which one is working best under the conditions of that lakes particular water clarity, light conditions, weather conditions, time of the day, time of the year, and fish activity for that particular day, hour, minute. That's all there is to it.

thinkCold

[Guest]

I know this isn't the answer that you want, but every situation varies and presents a different challenge. Just because the water is clear doesn't mean tip ups will out perform jigging. The only reason people favor jigging in murky water is because it attracts more attention. So lets say you're on the water and cant figure where "the line" is. Set up a tip up and jig. See what happens. To me, true fishing skill is being able to adapt to situations. Just experiment between a few different things, and be confident no matter what your approach, Hence...... the sport of fishing! Have a good one!

[Guest]

In response to hawgtime's reply, I can only say, He who reads these words of wit, plays with little balls "it".

[hawgTime]

just funnin' ya eso. dont get too bent.

Bigguns has it right. Just keep experimenting.

hawgTime

[Guest]

yeah, really. I should be censored for butchering such beautiful poetry.

[Steve Foss]

Esox:

I guesss I don't have a really clear rule about what's clear v stained.

Also, how I set up often isn't how I end up. While the dark water/clear water concept is a good way to begin, it doesn't always hold true, and if I'm out specifically for pike (Wisconsin gives you three lines on ice), I'll set up two tip-ups and jig in the other hole even in crystal clear water.

In the end, the day shapes my fishing, rather than my fishing shaping the day.

Cheers

[hawgTime]

eso

Seriouslly. When fishing for gamefish, I will usually set up a tipup or three, attach my Strike Sensors, so I don't miss any flags while I'm focusing all my attention on trolling with my jigging rod and my vexilar. If you do a lot of tipup fishing I suggest investing in some Strike Sensors. If you have seen these units, it is a paging unit which beeps to notify you when a flag goes up. I've been using these things for years---and there great. You can also purchase additional transmitters to use with the same pager to fish multiple lines(transmitter attaches to your tipup, pager you keep in your pocket). The truth is--you never really know what will work best on any-given day, even if you fished the same spot yesterday. It's best to cover all your bases.

thinkCold