Fishin Hair Jigs

[xpress]

I'm looking for pointers on fishing hair jigs in cold water. A buddy of mine is a big trout guy and when he fishes the back of my boat, I'll often see him tie one on. He catches bass, pickerel, even a carp one time! He hand times em in white and black with red thread.

I watch him and its like voodoo. I can't make out what he's doing when its down there. Do you hop it and pause? yo-yo? Any help is appreciated as I am clueless!

Jay

[rgang4]

I've not fished them much, but when I did I fished it just like a tube. Best result for me was adding a 101 brown pork frog as a tralier but its said to work w/o as well. Have used maribou jigs quite a bit for trout but always cheated and tipped them with a piece of cut bait. Adding a minnow is dynamite for walleye on a hair jig or maribou.

[xpress]

So you hope them and let them fall on slack line?

[natel]

I fish hair jigs a lot in late fall in NY & VT and in winter on the fingerlakes (NY) for perch and small mouth.
I use a 1/4 oz jig with brown deer hair from 25 to 40 feet on 4 or 6 # mono. I like to cut the point tip of hair off from the back about 3/4 inch from the end of the hook. This gives the jig a "flop hop" as I call it, like a small crayfish bump along the bottom. I will make a long cast, watch until my line falls slack then click my bail over and either drag or lighting hop the jig on the bottom. Always checking to make sure it is on the bottom when I pick up any slack. Staying in contact with the bottom is critical the time of the year when fishing for bass and perch in these waters. The strike will either be a little "pop" or "thunk" on the line or you will feel a slight wieght on your line like you just hooked a sponge.- I do not add any trailer anything to the jig- I let the action of the hair do all the work. Smaller is better in these colder waters. I hope this helps you.

[xpress]

Great feedback! Thanks!

[rgang4]

Just looked around in my tackle storage for hair jigs. Wanted to send you some as I doubt I'd use them, but I think I gave them to someone already. Fished them some about 10-12 years ago but have since started using other techniques in cold water and other baits as well. Brown and brown orange were key colors for me and I fished them as Nate described. Andy's Custom Jigs was a good source awhile ago if my memeory is correct.

Ever heard of the float 'n fly technique? Used alot in Kentucky/Tennese smallmouth waters, interesting technique.

[Brian]

Mar 2, 2012 16:32:15 GMT -5 rgang4 said:

Ever heard of the float 'n fly technique? Used alot in Kentucky/Tennese smallmouth waters, interesting technique.

I'm not sure it works so well in the north. Technically it should, but I think the angle of the sun in the more southern locales helps (suspend bass). If it works in the north, either I'm totally in the dark (not so unusual), or it's a good secret.