EJS Fishing Charters Boca Raton .

Slow Pitch Jigging Basics

Rod selection

Light weight 6' sized to the jigs. Spiral wrapped is important to keep from getting tip-wrapped. Most rods are rated PE 1-6 this is an example from 1 munufacturer
PE 1 30 – 100G
PE 2 80G -220G
PE 3 120G – 320G
PE 4 160G – 430G
PE 5 400g – 700G
PE 6 400g – 1000G

Reels

Shimano Ocea Jiggers and Accurate BV SPJ N's are two of the leaders in the field. According to the spec the Accurate is more powerful and lighter, but the numbers may not be as important as how the reels fit in your hand and the amount of use. Most of the time I am using 20 pound braid or less so is 30 pounds of drag needed?

Jigs

Weight matters, and so does shape. Color not so much but glow is good. I choose my jigs based on current and depth. I want to get to the bottom as fast and vertically as possible. A big fat jig that floats longer might look tasty to a fish, but if you can't get it in front of the target what good is it.

Hooks

Size appropriate for the jig and the fish. I like a bigger hook when fishing for pelagics. The reason is that they do not alway swollow the jig. Much of the time they try to cut the jig in half and the hookup is not as clean. The bigger hook allows for the difference.

Braid

Depth and not the size of fish should determine braid. Being able to cut vertically through the water is one of the most important parts of slow pitch jigging. Metered colors are great as your skill level increases and you can count the colors and target fish at all depths. I like the lighter blue color. It allows me to see what the braid is doing on the surface, which in turn keeps me from tip-wrapping and helps me see the strike.

Leader

Length as long as the fish plus an extra couple of feet. The main reason is to keep the fish off the braid. I use 20’ of leader because I am looking for really big fish, LOL. Actually I cut to change jigs vs tie once with the set of hooks and change jig without hooks.

Knots

Only a small line to line knots work because of the size of the guides. The goto knot a double UNI won't work. The Alberto catches every drop. The FG catches every retrieval. The PR is perfect this is the only knot you should be using. Once you get it you wont tie anything else. It works and doesn’t break.

Concepts

Slow Pitch Jigging is like a cat playing with a string. It's a dying baitfish, think of the goldfish in your tank. It's an easy meal, like someone offering you a slice of pizza while you are watching TV. It's a reaction strike. Keep it moving Keep it vertical.

Stance

The first thing you will need to learn how to do is stand on the boat without holding on. Sounds easy right? It's not always and you will need you hands for other things. Hand position during jigging, dropping and fighting is precise. It takes time to master this but when you get it you will be able to jig longer and manage bigger fish.

Jigging

There are many different variations but if you think about a tea bag in the cup you are right on the money. Lift and let it settle on its own

Dropping

You will need to learn to control the speed of the drop so the jig does not turn. Turning creates excess scope. This is done by feel, slight thumb pressure on the spool.

Setting The Hook

Reel, Reel, Reel, Reel, did I say REEL! Don't lift the rod and try to set the hook.

Fighting

Think of the expression "tight lines" during the retrieval. Speed not power is critical. You are only using 20 pound braid, you can only put so much heat on the fish.

Scope

Scope is bad. Jigging is a vertical form of fishing and the more scope (angle) you have in the line the less effective the technique is. Scope is the distance the jig moves away from the boat while in the water. Think about a triangle with you being the top point and the location directly below you being the bottom point and the actual location of the jig being the third point in the triangle or scope.

Feeling The Bite

This is the hardest part. I should say I don't feel anything. That's the bite.

Retrieving

Unless you see fish on the sonar at a specific depth I don't come straight up. I use a 10/10 formula that I vary based on scope and depth. 10 jigs 10 turns that way you are covering different water depth and not wasting the trip up.

Alternate Setup

Everyone asks, can I use my spinner or baitcaster. You can jig with anything and it will work to a certain extent. With spinners you can't control the drop. With baitcasters there is no leverage on the fight.