I have noticed that some of you use 1/8 and 1/16 oz jigs. I know the Mullens say the smaller the better. I have used 1/8 oz jigs but think I have too much trouble feeling the bottom. I have never tried 1/16 ounce. I can't imagine being able to feel the bottom with them. We normally use 1/4 ounce. My question is when using smaller jig sizes, do you actually worry about feeling the bottom? Or with experience with fishing with the smaller jigs does one just get better at it? Wondering what size most of you use and if you have a reason why?
I use 1/8 ounce jig heads. My reason is simple, 1/4 seems to heavy for trolling along rocky shores and I'd rather fish than get snagged up. And I think 1/16 seems to small for trying to get down to the 6-10 foot depth.
I will include that I haven't used either size before. I was just speaking in terms of why I use 1/8 instead of purchasing the others. I may try all 3 sizes out next year to see results. Thanks for putting it into perspective.
Ok, Snod, that brings up another question I have had, when you troll with jigs are you using them behind a bottom bouncer? Or are you trolling slow enough that the jigs will get to the 6-10 foot depth you are looking for?
When using smaller jig weights you have to match your # test line to the size of the jig .I use 4-6 # when using 1/16 and 1/8 ounce jigs and switch over to 6-8 # test when using 1/4 ounce jigs , never have any problems feeling bottom
I agree... I started out using 1/4oz exclusively (because that's what my gpa used on lake nip when I was a kid....) but over the past 5-6 years I've switched to 1/8oz as my go to size and on really calm days I'll use 1/16oz.... never over 6lb test and I use floro on my jigging combo. never a problem feelin bottom but with a light jig I had to learn to be more patient as the decent down just takes longer... also I've felt more short/weaker strikes with lighter jigs since it doesn't take as hard a strick/ suck/ inhale action on the fishes part to move the jig... the less resistance during this process the better in my eyes... so while it may be frustrating that you miss more strikes (since you're feeling more of the shorter/weaker ones) it's better than using a 1/4oz and not feeling anything. hope this makes sense... I rarely use 1/4oz anymore.....
I never troll with a jig. I drift though... loooooooooooooove me some drift jig fishing
just my $.02
We just troll slow enough to where our jigs get, I would say, 5-7 feet deep and just make those eyes come up a foot or two for it. We've not used bottom bouncers before.
I also started out using the 1/4 oz because I first learned them from Dog's dad (It's what his dad always used), but I've also gone to the lighter 1/8 or occasionally 1/16 oz. I haven't had any problem feeling the bottom.
I've never tried trolling with them either.
I MAY GIVE THE JIG A TRY THIS YEAR .I HAVE THEM IN MY BOX SO WHY NOT SAVE SOME GAS
I HAVE THEM IN 1/8 IN PINK, BLACK AND ORANGE/YELLOW 1/4 IN GREEN AND GLOW IN THE DARK.
Aside from the light # test line, a good rod really helps with feel as well. I love my St. Croix for exactly this reason...
I was always a 1/4 ounce guy thinking it would cast further, drop to bottom faster and better feel when retrieving.
Then my friend Steve convinced me to use the 1/8 ounce.
I have never gone back.
With bait on ,it still casts far, drops at a good rate and since it's lighter, you know when you have a tug on the other end better.
Only tough on windier days.
I almost always use 1/8 ounce...its a lot easier to feel the fish on.