Dragging A Jig
One of my favorite techniques!!! This is such
an effective way of catching fish. Now tell me that if you were
not a bass looking for a crawfish that you would not hit a brown
or black little crawfish looking bait that was being dragged
along the bottom of some rock, making a little stir up of mud
and two little legs going crazy on the back of this thing and
a little clicking sound. Sure that sounds good to a fisherman
but what about a bass? Well I’ll tell you that they like
it too! I can almost always go along any rocky bank and catch
at least one fish using his method. It works and it’s just
as simple as that. All you have to do is cast out and make sure
the bait is along the bottom and just drag it slowly as possible.
Ok, ok, sounds kind of boring, yea I know but, would you like
to catch small fish or good quality fish? Also this technique
will get you better quality fish . So let me go over the basics
of dragging a jig.
First off lets talk about depths , time of
the year, and places to use this technique. I will normally use
this technique between like 10’ and 40’ of water. You
can fish deeper or shallower but I prefer not to. It works all
year long. Even in the spring because there is always some pre-staging
fish which this technique is perfect for. So in the spring look
for creek channels, preferably double creek channels, if you
can find them, in anywhere from 10’ to about 25’. Also
look for ledges or points that lead up into shallow flats, where
the fish will spawn. Humps are not a bad places to try either.
Now in the summer I will target the same areas but, I try and
find a little deeper water. In the summer, say like 15’
to about 40’ of water. Depending on the water clarity and
temperature of the water. In the fall again I will stick with
the same places but I fish in the same depth as I do in the spring.
The reason I move back to shallower water is because these fish
are going to start feeding up for the cold winter days. They
move back shallow and are feeding aggressively. In the winter
I will mainly stick
with main lake points in about 30’ to 40’ of water.
If you can find a ledge at this depth along a point, that could
be a very special "bonus.’ If you do find this "bonus
spot" then keep dragging that jig over it. You may not get
very many bites in the winter but, the fish will be very good
quality. So, if anything feels different when you are dragging
the jig set the hook! What do you have to lose? Maybe a jig but,
if you don’t set the hook you could lose the trophy bass
of a life time.
Now for the tackle part of this technique.
I only use Skinny Bear Bass Jigs. They are by far the best Jig
I have found to fit this application. Colors vary through out
water color. Basically stick with your browns and purples in
clear water and blacks and browns in dirty water. For size and
weight I only throw 3/8 and 1/2. 3/4 works too but, I have found
to lose more jigs with the heavier weight. Line and pound test
again vary on water color but, I will use 10 or 12 pound in clear
water and 12 or 14 in dirtier water. I have always used McCoy
line because, it is so strong and thin. For rods I will use either
the 6’6" lamiglass Medium action, or the 6’3"
lamiglass shakin rod. As for reels I like Daiwa pro-cater series.
Take care and go catch some fish on your favorite
lake draggin’ a jig! See ya on the water!
Justin Lucas
"The California Kid"
Junior Pro-Staffer |
