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View Full Version : jigging inland lakes




sirslurpee
04-06-2009, 09:13 PM
I love casting jigs in rivers.. ever since I learned about them, and how to use them in local rivers (thank you ms.com members) they've been my #1 favorite bait. Cheap, easy to use, versatile.. However, I've had minimal success using them in still water. As it stands right now, I don't have a trolling motor, so it's hard to keep a boat in one place or slowly drift without anchoring.. I'm gonna try to make up a couple of buckets to throw out for drifting and trolling slower until I can get an electric.
Anyway.. my question is, how do you guys, if you even do it, jig inland lakes? I know you can cast/retrieve and hop them along the bottom. Problem is, when fishing in 15+ water casting, even using a big size like 1/2oz, I can't seem to get it to feel right. Do I just need a lot more practice? I also have never caught anything that way... ..yet.
Should I try to vertical jig in lakes? I know I'm going to need a heavy jig to stay vertical unless the wind is down. Does anyone have any tips or advice we(MS members) can use to jigging inland lakes? Mainly I target walleye but sometimes I'll switch it up if I can't find any eyes..




Julez81
04-07-2009, 09:53 AM
I have had a lot of success with Jigs on still inland waters. Both trolling and casting work well and can allow you to cover weed beds and break lines very well. However if you know they are on the bottom, getting your jig down there is best done vertically. I have had good success just slow trolling a 1/16 oz jig with a 2-3" tail tipped with a minnow, and a crawler harness in the other pole when fishing inland lakes for walleyes. Hope that encourages you.

sirslurpee
04-09-2009, 11:27 PM
bump

thanks i appreciate it!
i've done quite a bit of trolling with beetle spins in my day.. usually after the 4th of july but boat traffic gets nuts that time of year. the last couple seasons i haven't been doing very good with that (i think it has to do with idle speed though)
I'm gonna try to get a hold of an electric motor soon so slow trolling will be an option.. also i might be able to control drifts a little better to cover more water..
I'm real excited for the 25th and I can start casting jigs in the river again but it's nice to get out on a lake every once in a while..