wild guide: how to jig
TIE GOOD KNOTS The Trilene and Palomar
knots are very strong. It is better to learn how
to tie a good knot, than to use heavier line.
Do not allow more than a quarter of an inch
of line to protrude at the tag end of your knot.
This excess could be detected by fish.
LURES For jigging, I prefer to use brightly
colored rubber tails, such as chartreuse,
yellow, white, orange, etc. Some dark colors
like green, black and pumpkin seed are also
excellent. The lead heads I use vary from
1/8 to 3/4 of an ounce. Here is a little trick
to choosing the right jig head size: Always
use the smallest possible head that allows
you to stay in a perfectly vertical position. If
your lure is swept away by the current, use a
slightly bigger head.
BAIT ACTION Let your bait down to the
bottom. Then, holding your rod in the 9
0’clock position, take up any slack line with
your reel. Now that your line is perfectly
vertical, move your rod tip to the 10 o’clock
position in a continuous motion, without
jerking the bait. Then, lower your rod to the
9 o’clock position, keeping constant contact
with your line. Do not allow any slack in
the line as your lure drops back down. The
mistake that too many fishermen make is
raising their rod to the 10 o’clock position
and allowing the lure fall quickly and freely
to the bottom. It should be noted that more
than 80% of the bites on a jig occur as it falls
back to the bottom. So remember that if you
lose contact with your lure, you lose contact
with the bites of the fish.
BITES When you feel a fish bite your lure,
you only have a few tenths of a second to
set the hook. You have to achieve almost
perfect synchronism between bite and
hook set. You have to be constantly
thinking “ACTION - REACTION”. The fish
bites, set immediately. The golden rule is
“If in doubt, set the hook anyway”. I would
much rather have a “swing and a miss”
than miss a nice big fish. Remember when
fighting the fish to always keep tension
on the line. What often happens is that,
during the struggle, the hole where the
hook penetrated the fish’s mouth will open
up. Slack on the line will often result in the
hook falling loose from this enlarged hole,
thus loosing the fish.
Quantum Equalizer Rod
www.quantumfishing.com
Quantum Energy PT Reel
www.quantumfishing.com
Fire-Ball Jig
www.northlandtackle.com
ICE
FISHING
FOR SUMMER
Ice Fishing
Jigs JIGS
for Summer
I am often exasperated by the advertisements
on the packaging of lures. I remember an
elongated metal spoon that I had examined.
It had a rather peculiar shape. It caught my
eye and inspired me with confidence. Then I
read the label on the package. The inventor
praised it for salmon, trout, pike, muskellunge,
walleye, bass and perch. According to the
manufacturer, this spoon was good for all
species and under all conditions. To be honest,
I put the lure back on the shelf. Then I recalled
the old adage that some lures are better at
catching fishermen than fish.
Another situation that I find somewhat
comical is lures that are designed and sold
specifically for ice fishing. Retailers will often
store these with the ice fishing gear during
the summer months despite the fact that the
manufacturers of these lures should have
every interest in promoting them for summer
fishing. In fact, I frequently use these winter
lures in the middle of summer and believe me,
they catch me a lot of fish.
WILLIAMS ICE JIG J50 This 5.7 cm metal
lure allowed an Ontario fisherman in Lake
Simcoe to become the new world record
holder for walleye under the ice in March
1999 with a 17.12 lb trophy. This lure twists and
turns up and down as it’s jigged creating an
attractive dance.
BUCK SHOT RATTLE SPOON This is my
favourite artificial lure. The f 3/8, ½ and ¾ ounce
size options quickly sink into the depths. Their
sound chamber and reflective tints do not fail
to attract the attention of nearby fish.
www.northlandtackle.com
www.williams.ca
NORTHLAND PUPPET MINNOW This
imitation of a minnow works wonderfully
when it is worked with fast upward motions
on a 15 to 20 cm axis, then allowing it fall back
down to the abyss. The unique design of this
lure causes it to pivot and swing/swim side to
side as it falls.
SWEDISH PIMPLE ICE This spoon has
one slightly curved, flat face and the other is
triangular. This allows it to sink like a minnow
that’s lost control. A plastic attractor adds life
to this spoon which is available in ten different
sizes.
www.swedishpimple.com
www.northlandtackle.com
At the end of the ice fishing season, be sure to
transfer these lures from your ice fishing box to
your open water box so that you can use them
throughout the summer season.
Wild Guide
. Summer 2017
12