How to Jiggin for Tog

[Gerry Zagorski]

First of all, I’m very new to this style of fishing so here is some advice from a novice’s perspective. Hope some sharpies will keep me honest and lend some of their experience since I have a lot to learn too.

First and foremost you need a very light weight sensitive set up (rod and reel) in order to feel the bite... I tried my heavier spinning set up I use for snagging and live lining Bunker and could not feel a thing. Just kept on coming back up with an empty hook.

At the same time, the rod has to have some decent backbone and the reel a reasonable amount of drag since you want to be able to keep the fish from dragging you back into the reef and busting you off.

Having said this, Dustin landed a 22.5# on A St Croix Mojo rated for 6 to 12 lbs test...It was strung with heavier braid but that rod seems a bit light for my taste but he got it done.

A nice long fore grip on the rod comes in handy to give you some extra lifting leverage. It makes a big difference.

I'd be using 30# braid and a 30# or more mono or floro top shot. Some guys use a 50 pound top shot. Floro helps here not because these fish are line shy but because it’s more abrasion resistant.

Some people say a loop knot is better to tie to the jig since it gives it better movement but not sure if it really makes a difference.

I've seen 2 methods using jigs... Slight slack in the line and you watch your line for twitches or keep it tight and feel the twitches...Can't say I've mastered either but a tight line seems to work better for me.

Bite is different every day...Sometimes you'll just feel a tap and other times they will pick up the jig and actually run with it. I think the lighter the jig the more apt you are to have them pick it up and there are no mistaking those bites. In either case and according to Captain Derek on the Fisher Price below, you want to lift the rod to set the hook, not swing for the sky this way you don't pull the jig from the fish.

When you are fishing lighter jigs (below an ounce) you need to make sure you are on the bottom.... Cast out, manually pay some line out and let it sink. Take in some slack and raise and lower your rod tip to make sure you feel the jig come in contact with the bottom. You are not going to be able to do this easily unless you have a nice light set up with good sensitivity.

Unlike rig fishing, I'm told that keeping the jig perfectly still is not as much of an issue. It's not like you want to move it around a lot like you do when bucktailing for fluke... Instead, let it sit for minute and if no hits, move it and then stop again for a few mins.

Crabs come off the jigs easy so after a bite you probably want to check and see if you have bait... Here is where a sensitive rod comes in handy again…. If your rod is sensitive enough, you'll be able to tell if you have bait left or not by lifting the rod tip and feeling the additional weight of the bait or lack thereof. You also want to be sure to hook the crabs through the leg sockets this way they stay on better.

A word of caution....At least for me, there was a pretty steep learning curve involved, so don't get frustrated or lose patience. You also need the right conditions to get used to fishing this way. Too much current or a bumpy day would not be the best time to give it your first try. Get the feel of it in good conditions, get used to it and build your skills and confidence up.

Hope this helps others who want to give it a try and we can get some other sharpies to chime in here...

It's not for everyone but it sure is a fun and different way to fish.

[Blackfish Doug]

I jig for them the same way your brother does & Jerry as well LOL

[Capt Derek Fisher Price 3]

Rod should be 7'-8' usually rated 12-25lb. Either 20-30 lb braid with a 2-4 ft of 30-40 lb top shot. Jigs usually 1/2 - 2 oz. No more than 2 otherwise you might as well fish a traditional rig. As you said above fishing with slack in the line is a big help and the bite is totally different than when fishing a normal rig. Try not to set the hook when fishing the jig. A nice easy lift is the best so you don't rip the hook out of their mouth. We've been fishing with the jigs for a few years now and they do work, but also they do have their time and place. Shallow water is definitely better and slow current. Have numerous fish on the boat over 10 lbs on the jigs with two over 14#.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/captderek1/IMG_4310_zps3bqhhv68.jpg~original (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/captderek1/media/IMG_4310_zps3bqhhv68.jpg.html)

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/captderek1/IMG_2154_zpsda9gptfa.jpg~original (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/captderek1/media/IMG_2154_zpsda9gptfa.jpg.html)

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c49/captderek1/IMG_2180_zpsw8swrgzt.jpg~original (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/captderek1/media/IMG_2180_zpsw8swrgzt.jpg.html)

[Gerry Zagorski]

Thanks Derek!! Some good tips there....Interesting about lifting the rod to set the hook instead of a whacking them... Going to revise that in my post.

[Gerry Zagorski]

I jig for them the same way your brother does & Jerry as well LOL

Yes, or you might get banned :D

[Tunarun]

[QUOTE=Gerry that was very well written and informative. I saw it first hand fishing with your brother Joe on Saturday. Even though Joe caught a Real Jimbo fishing the Convrntional way, the jiggers this time got more bites. It's the Real Deal!
Either get onboard like I Must Do or you will be left behind. I wasn't much of a believer in it until I saw it first hand. Dennis

[Reelron]

Yup, There is a time & place for every type of fishing. I have been Togging for more than a few years, finally decided to give Jigging a try this fall and found that once you get the hang of it, it can be a lot of fun.

The one thing I did do was to switch from a spinning outfit to a conventional outfit. Right now I am using an Abu Revo reel on a graphite rod. Still in search of a better rod, but doing Ok with one fish into that magic DD weight.

As with any type of fishing patience is key. Well that & mugging! Good luck to all who enter the "Jigging Society!"

[Gerry Zagorski]

Yup, There is a time & place for every type of fishing. I have been Togging for more than a few years, finally decided to give Jigging a try this fall and found that once you get the hang of it, it can be a lot of fun.

The one thing I did do was to switch from a spinning outfit to a conventional outfit. Right now I am using an Abu Revo reel on a graphite rod. Still in search of a better rod, but doing Ok with one fish into that magic DD weight.

As with any type of fishing patience is key. Well that & mugging! Good luck to all who enter the "Jigging Society!"

Hmmmm ..... A conventional huh? Most people are using spinners....

I have a Revo as well on a Loomis GL2 rod so a nice light sensitive set up. Although I love it for rigs, I can't seem to get the right feel with it when using jigs, especially the lighter ones... Are you fishing heavier jigs Ron? Love this set up and might have to give it another try with the Jigs. Any tips for me?

Any others using a conventional set up for Jigging?

[bigal427]

Just wondering do they bite better jigging then a rig or is it done for sport?

[reason162]

Any others using a conventional set up for Jigging?

My "heavy" setup is a Lami TFX 6015C paired with revo inshore, for jigs up to 3/4 oz. My "medium" combo is a Shimano Zodias 610ML paired with curado 70, this is for jigs up to 1/2 oz. Both did well, but I probably prefer the faster action of the Zodias rod.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLo1du7jx7-/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMWOEY2gYeu/

[shbeachbum]

What do these blackfish jigs look like & where can you get them?

[NJ Dave]

Gave the jig a shot this year. Learning curve was there but it was fun. I do need to scale down my set up, currently using a penn battle 5000 on a trevala. Little heavy but it worked.
Interesting article Jerry, will have to put these tips to use.
Thanks

[Gerry Zagorski]

[QUOTE=Gerry that was very well written and informative. I saw it first hand fishing with your brother Joe on Saturday. Even though Joe caught a Real Jimbo fishing the Convrntional way, the jiggers this time got more bites. It's the Real Deal!
Either get onboard like I Must Do or you will be left behind. I wasn't much of a believer in it until I saw it first hand. Dennis

Thanks Dennis. Don't let Joe fool you, he's a closet Jigger. I think he was just trying to respect his Sensei Jerry ;)

The Joe Anti Jigger thing was inspired in part by fishing down in Boca Grand Florida for Tarpon a few years back. We had no idea, but there was a war going on down there. You have the traditional old school "Bait Guys" who use older inboard boats and fish strictly bait. On the other side you have the "Jiggers" who have flashy go fast outboards with decals all over them and their boats. You were on one side or the other, a Jigger or a Bait guy...

It got so contentious the bait guys actually had Jigging banned in the Boca Grande pass so it's now unlawful to use them there. You can't make this stuff up http://www.sportfishingmag.com/boca-grande-jig/fwc-votes-unanimously-pass-boca-grande-pass-jig-ban

Anyhow..... We're sitting down on the dock waiting to head out on our old school bait boat charter talking to the captain and mate... The mate sees this guy pull into the marina towing a decked out stickered up flats boat... He stops in mid conversation and turns to the Captain in a real serious southern drawl and says "I knew dat guy was a Jigger before he even got out dah truck... You can tell dem from a mile away"

Funny stuff and definitely some similarity between the two camps going on right here in NJ too ;)

[Tunarun]

Don't let Joe fool you, he's a closet Jigger. I think he was just trying to respect his Sensei Jerry ;) LOL

The Joe Anti Jigger thing was inspired in part by fishing down in Boca Grand Florida for Tarpon a few years back. We had no idea, but there was a war going on down there. You have the traditional old school "Bait Guys" who use older inboard boats and fish strictly bait. On the other side you have the Jiggers who have flashy go fast outboards with decals all over them and their boats. You were on one side or the other, a Jigger or a Bait guy...

Funny stuff and definitely some similarity between the two camps going on right here in NJ too ;)[/QUOTE] So Very true Gerry.

[Capt. Lou]

I believe the rod plays an important part in jig n bait toggin , I've always used conventional until recently , now have opted for spin gear , specifically hot shot models spin rods . I prefer Custom builds ,since longer fore grips are my preference gives me a lot better control .
I fished jigs over 20 seasons ago & killed the tog in water less than 30' deep , but never transitioned to deep water toggin w/ jigs umtil last season .
The guy that taught me this method used plain heads only , banana heads he believed worked somewhat better on bait presentation .
Lots to learn here but soild method that's gaining more momentum every season!

[Irish Jigger]

Fishermans Den North has them!!

[Joey Dah Fish]

Damn jiggers !!!!!

[Irish Jigger]

Sad to say but my biggest to date is 13lbs on a white 2 ounce bucktail with gulp at the rattlesnake in July. She was set free of course.

[Gerry Zagorski]

I believe the rod plays an important part in jig n bait toggin , I've always used conventional until recently , now have opted for spin gear , specifically hot shot models spin rods . I prefer Custom builds ,since longer fore grips are my preference gives me a lot better control .
I fished jigs over 20 seasons ago & killed the tog in water less than 30' deep , but never transitioned to deep water toggin w/ jigs umtil last season .
The guy that taught me this method used plain heads only , banana heads he believed worked somewhat better on bait presentation .
Lots to learn here but soild method that's gaining more momentum every season!

Thanks for the info Lou.... I had no idea you were a Jigger too :D

I'm with you on the rod, especially if you are using a spinning rod. A long fore grip is practically a must and many don't come that way... Point in case, I tried using one of my heavier fresh water spinners with a small fore grip and it was a chore... After a few fish my wrist was shot... Trying to set the hook with just your wrist is tough and when fighting the fish and getting them up off the bottom, you need the leverage you get by being able to place your free hand out in front of the reel and lifting. This also comes in handy when you are trying to lift a fish into the boat instead of netting them.

Have not tried jigs in the deep yet... I think I'll stick with rigs there until I get this method down better. Right now, I'm just a hack.

[shbeachbum]

Fishermans Den North has them!!

Thanks

[King of the knoll]

I'm too lazy of a fisherman to be a good jigger :p

[Gerry Zagorski]

Yes and it does tend to interfere with the consumption of adult beverages :D

[Gerry Zagorski]

Just wondering do they bite better jigging then a rig or is it done for sport?

Al - Every day is different... If you have the right conditions, and can get away with a lighter jig (not too bumpy or too much current) once you get the feel for it, I think you'll feel the bite better since the weight and the hook are tied directly to your line which signals the bite better... So, on those days you're getting that scratchy bite, I think they will give you a bit more of an edge.

If the fish are suicidal or conditions don't permit the use of a lighter jig, then I think a standard rig works better. The bait stays on the hook better then it does on jigs and since the hook and leader are independent of the sinker, you sinker stay put but you can also feel the bite.

Having said all this, sometimes it the Indian, not the arrow ;)

I think you definitely get more sport with the jig since you are fishing with lighter gear and it does take some skill and getting used to..

[jmurr711]

Can't believe this is on here smfh

[O'Connor]

Please forgive me, but what about this is jigging? You have a lead head with bait on it, that you let sit on the bottom. Isn't that bait fishing? It's a very popular way to fish whole squid out here. Nobody calls it jigging. :confused:

[Scoundrel]

Different way to fish. No, it is not "jigging", but using a lead head to catch Blackfish is a relatively new form of fishing here.
Standard fishing for Blackfish calls for a sinker and hook

[O'Connor]

Different way to fish. No, it is not "jigging", but using a lead head to catch Blackfish is a relatively new form of fishing here.
Standard fishing for Blackfish calls for a sinker and hook


a leadhead is a sinker and a hook that you're putting bait on.