horizontal bait

[murray]

I am interested in hearing opinions that others have as to when to use a bait that presents horizontally and when to use one that is vertical. Thank you.

[Ugly Stick]

I go with a horizontal jig when the fishing is slow, I think it temps some of them lookers into biters. I fished a small private lake that had been fished heavily all winter by my brother in-laws, they have only use vertical tear drops. I Started out with a horizontal jig, I ended up out fishing them probably five to one and with bigger fish.

[USMarine1171]

I mostly fish horizontally. If the fish are coming from the side it is the best choice I think. Sometimes if the minnows are really swimming I will clip the tail so they can't swim away from the fish.

[Drake]

You'll get a mix of views on this one!
Personaly I have switched to horizontal jigs and I think my catch rate has gone up.
I use vertical jigs when I want to slow things down alittle.
But a friend of mine uses mostly vertical jigs and does just as well.
I'll pound the jig (jigging hard) about 1.5'-2' off the bottom raising and lowering as I jig,
watching my flasher to see if fish are moving arround,
if I see fish coming in to it I'll slow to motionless and very slowly raise (tease)it away atiny bit and that will usually trigger the bite.
Seems to work for me, I don't worry about a limit but I do like to bring home dinner for the wife and myself.
Dave

[steelhead-hunter]

i have switched to almost all horizontal jigging and i think it catches more fish

[wally-eye]

Rat finkies........:coolgleam

[jigworm]

Have also switched to horizontal jigs. A small jig with a single spike seems to produce better when the gills get picky. Still keep a rod rigged with a teardrop, but seldom use it anymore.

[walleyeman2006]

i like both.......usually fish one of each and let the fish decide....but this year the walleye really havent made there minds up

[Pork Chop]

If you are fishing for panfish, particularly bluegills, it may depend on what the predominate zooplankton species is in the lake you are fishing. Some species of zooplankton have a "longish" horizontal profile, others have a more robust vertical profile.

Of course if the fish predominately focus on minnows as the targeted forage, a horizontal presentation probably wins out.

[XXXdisel77]

HORIZONTAL ALL THE WAY!!! I can't stress this enough when I'm out on the ice and guys are asking what I'm doing. They think it's nutty that it would make a difference, but when they try it they become believers quick. Ice flies with a horizontal presentation while constantly jigging is second to none and that's all I have to say about that. Good luck fishing to all!

[melnik]

My response is about bluegill fishing.

I use horizontal jigs. Here's why. With a good horizontal jig, like a tungsten Fiskas (sp?) the center of mass is about where the line attaches. So it hangs horizontal, and the line acts as a pivot point for rotation about the verticle axis (sorry, I'm an engineer). If you put a light spike or wax worm on the hook, it doesn't change the center of mass much, but it does present a "sail" to any water movement around the jig. When bluegill take a bait, they do it by flaring their gills and sucking in a bunch of water. When they do this with a horizontal jig that has a center of mass offset from the center of the crosssectional area (because the spike is hanging off the back) the water passing by the the jig will have a tendency to rotate the jig around spike first, and hence bait first, into the fishes mouth. I don't know if this really happens, I just think it could. If it does, it could lead to more hook-ups.

You know, given the whole "center of mass the maggot's a sail" thing, a verticle jig with the spike hanging off the hook on the bottom would almost always swing up hook first into the fish's mouth. Maybe I'll switch back to verticle jigs. ;)

This could all be crap, but I just love to over analyze stuff. :lol:

[eyesforever]

HORIZONTAL ALL THE WAY!!! I can't stress this enough when I'm out on the ice and guys are asking what I'm doing. They think it's nutty that it would make a difference, but when they try it they become believers quick. Ice flies with a horizontal presentation while constantly jigging is second to none and that's all I have to say about that. Good luck fishing to all!

Says it all. Horizontal for gills since 1968:).

[GoneFishin]

Usually have a least 4 rods rigged a couple with horizontal presentations and a couple with vertical. I generally let the fish pick which they prefer. Sometimes when the bite slows on one presentation I switch to the other and the fish will take the bait. It has been common for me to have 'em switch preferences during the day from one to another. I usually start with the horizontal presentation. I also use small profile lures and larger profile lures. For example I may go out with these lures tied on, Horz., #12 Fat Boy (lrg), #12 Hali MiniPori (sm), Vert., #10 Demon (Lrg), and #12 Moon jig (sm). Rods are switched often if I'm marking fish and getting no bites. if this fails I'll try other stuff like lures that hang at 45 degrees like Wolframs or Gill Pills or go to a #14 size lure. Ya never know.

Melnik,

Your theory sounds good but I've watched 'em come into the bait while sight fishing and the gills can suck in the bait head first without the bait swinging around. I've watched this happen many times with horizontal presentations but rarely do they ever miss the hook with a vertical or 45* presentation.

[melnik]

Melnik,

Your theory sounds good but I've watched 'em come into the bait while sight fishing and the gills can suck in the bait head first without the bait swinging around. I've watched this happen many times with horizontal presentations but rarely do they ever miss the hook with a vertical or 45* presentation.

Thanks GF. Now I'll have to sit on the ice for days working on another theory. :)