02-24-2004, 03:17 PM
1. Slack on the drop-Some anglers lift the jig, then quickly drop the rodtip so the leadhead falls on a slack line. No good, since most strikes occur on the drop. Solution: After the lift, match the speed of the jig's descent with your rodtip so the line stays semi-taut.
2. Slow hookset-Walleyes inhale jigs by flaring their gills, and can spit 'em out just as fast. Solution: When you feel a light tick or tap, or the line twitches, set the hook. If you miss light bites, add a stinger.
3. Lack of concentration-An obvious misstep. Solution: Forget everything else. Focus on the elements of your presentation (jigging cadence, bottom contact, etc.), and be ever alert for a strike.
4. Avoiding snags-It's tempting to stay away from the tough stuff and avoid frustrating snags. But then you miss fish. Solution: If you're not occasionally running afoul of weeds, rocks or wood, you're not fishing in the right place. Bite your lip and go for it.
5. Overdoing it-It's easy to fall into a rhythm that's too fast for the fish. Solution: This is part of the mental game. Concen-trate on keeping your jig strokes slow and steady, unless the fish are on a tear.
6. Fishing the wrong head-There are so many to choose from, many anglers give up and stick with one style. Solution: Make the effort to learn about the different designs, and fish them where they make sense.
7. Weight problems-An oversize jig sinks too fast and plows along the bottom, while lightweights won't reach the fish, or worse, you can't "feel" them. Solution: Use just enough weight to maintain good contact with the jig.
8. Casting too far-This isn't the Olympics. Jigs and strikes at the far end of a long cast are difficult to register. Solution: Keep casts manageable for gear and conditions.
9. The wrong rod-Long, soft-tipped sticks are usually bad news. Solution: You'll detect more strikes with a shorter, stiffer, high-modulus graphite rod.
10. Unnecessary tipping-Some anglers automatically tip leadheads with bait. While a good idea in cold water or when fish are sluggish, meat can detract from the action of feathers or the vibes of a curlytail. Solution: When in doubt, go baitless
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2. Slow hookset-Walleyes inhale jigs by flaring their gills, and can spit 'em out just as fast. Solution: When you feel a light tick or tap, or the line twitches, set the hook. If you miss light bites, add a stinger.
3. Lack of concentration-An obvious misstep. Solution: Forget everything else. Focus on the elements of your presentation (jigging cadence, bottom contact, etc.), and be ever alert for a strike.
4. Avoiding snags-It's tempting to stay away from the tough stuff and avoid frustrating snags. But then you miss fish. Solution: If you're not occasionally running afoul of weeds, rocks or wood, you're not fishing in the right place. Bite your lip and go for it.
5. Overdoing it-It's easy to fall into a rhythm that's too fast for the fish. Solution: This is part of the mental game. Concen-trate on keeping your jig strokes slow and steady, unless the fish are on a tear.
6. Fishing the wrong head-There are so many to choose from, many anglers give up and stick with one style. Solution: Make the effort to learn about the different designs, and fish them where they make sense.
7. Weight problems-An oversize jig sinks too fast and plows along the bottom, while lightweights won't reach the fish, or worse, you can't "feel" them. Solution: Use just enough weight to maintain good contact with the jig.
8. Casting too far-This isn't the Olympics. Jigs and strikes at the far end of a long cast are difficult to register. Solution: Keep casts manageable for gear and conditions.
9. The wrong rod-Long, soft-tipped sticks are usually bad news. Solution: You'll detect more strikes with a shorter, stiffer, high-modulus graphite rod.
10. Unnecessary tipping-Some anglers automatically tip leadheads with bait. While a good idea in cold water or when fish are sluggish, meat can detract from the action of feathers or the vibes of a curlytail. Solution: When in doubt, go baitless
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