Just wondering how you all have been catching them as of late. When I was out Sunday seemed slow presentation worked a little better. Even when I was marking a bunch of silvers. They were lethargic and only hit when I used a Slow lift and drop. Maybe the water is still pretty cold. Have to think that the bottom temp is at least 5 degrees different than surface temps. I could be wrong on this.
8-12" snap and slow fall seems to work best for me. But I normally have 4 or 5 guys in my boat and everyone has their own technique and the fish go around. So I guess what I'm saying is don't be afraid to change it up.
I use a very light sensitive St Croix rod n Quantum Smoke 25 reel spooled with either 6 or 10 lb Fireline. The action on the 6ft St Croix Eye-Con is very fast and gives me excellent jig control. A few years back I closely studied, first hand, the jigging stroke of some of the very best fishermen on the DR. I discovered they used a "double snap" technique on the lift, which I believe attracts more fish and stimulates the strike response more often. It's very subtle, and all in the wrist (if you have a medium wt setup, your wrist will give up after a couple hours; hence the ultralight setup I invested in).
In colder dirty water, I like a slow lift to keep the bait in the strike zone longer for the eyes to see it. Lately I been snapping and working great since the water warmed up
The only thing that matters is you moving down the river and the jig moving in front of a hungry fish. And if it isn't hungry you might still get it with that snap jig lol
Please excuse my ignorance but I have a question. When jigging down a river, do you pound the bottom then do your jigging close to the bottom like ice fishing? Or contact bottom after every lift? Thanks
^^^^^^What dub j said. More often than not my jig is in contact with the bottom on every rise and fall. When it doesn't touch is when I double twitch the jig and instantly find bottom and start the cadence again. Just mix it up. I think the extra twitch makes up their minds to EAT! Or at least slash at it. Thank you stinger hook[emoji1][emoji1]. Shrubby
Just don't let the jig sit on bottom. As quick of a tap as you can manage is all you need. Otherwise your risk of snags goes up along with the chance that others in your boat won't be vertical anymore (because one is dragging more than the others).
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