SPEED Jigging technics

Origin

Jigging, speed jigging, deep sea jigging, butterfly jigging, vertical jigging, yoyo jigging are all names used for this fishing technic. Originated in Polynesia, it meet a phenomenal rise in Asia, Europe, Oceania, USA and now in Canada. This technique allows to catch the big fish vertically, normally reserved for anglers with heavy gear. Renewed in 1990 by a Japanese "Yoichi Mogi," he was the instigator of most new Jigging equipment (rods, reels, lures JIG) and popularized the style of fishing "Japanese Jigging."

To explore the new fishing areas where other technique can not reach. Jigging aims to place the lure where the fish are located. The secret is to have a good fishing guide to maneuver the boat, placing the jig over the fish, for that you must calculate current strenght and wind, to allow sufficient time for the JIG to reach its target. Subsequently, the fisherman skill makes the difference.

How to speed jig

Speed jigging basic moves, let the lure (JIG) drop to the bottom, when the jig touch the bottom, lift it up rapidly to avoid hanging and start to jig. Depending where you fish and avalaible species, most of predators can be located all along the water column. As the boat is not anchor, it drift following the current and wind, so your jig travels by covering a large area from sea floor to mid-water.

Usually, we don't bring the jig up to the surface, after 10 or 30 turns, we drop the jig again and repeat this stratagem until a fish hit your jig. You will not feel any fish bite, your jig will only stopped, your rod will bent, your retrieve will be blocked and you will hear your reel screeming. That's Jigging !

Normally, the rod is wedged under the arm or rested on a fighting belt (harness), we pull on the rod and at the same time, we make a reel turn, it's synchronized move. The result generated by this movement ascend the jig by jerk while giving an illusion of fleeing prey. The retrieve speed should be fast enough to create this illusion. The speed Jigging is not relaxing, it requires physical exertion and adapted equipment. It's better to use a fish finder to check the depth and locate structures.

Rod choice

A "jigging" rod is normally shorter, more flexible (with a parabolic action), more resistant and provide a longer handle, allowing you to fish without getting tired. These rods are designed for conventional and spinning reels. The choice of the rod is based on the following criteria: rod weight, max load, lures weight and rod's action. We looking for a balance between strength and flexibility of the rod blank, a harmony between the rod and the reel weight, nobody want to end up with a heavy steel bar or a light strand of spaghetti. Regular spinning rod or boat rod is not recommended because they are not made for vertical motion and you will regret your economical choice. The handle is often too short, the reel support is often misplaced, too stiff or too soft, it will be hard to animate properly the JIG. Certainly good jigging rods are more expensive, but they fill a real need and not just a whim. They are often manufactured in high quality composite, made for heavy use and strong torsion resistance caused by the large bottom fish, but remaining flexible and light.

Reel

The reel should be strong with a good drag, otherwise you'll only fish once. We adjust the drag at 30% of the line strength, of course, reel drag adjustment will be adapted to the strength of the rod. Example: If you use 50 lb test braided line, the drag will be set at 15 lbs and the rod should bears at least 15 lb (LOAD). I insist on the reel strength, often fishes are generally bigger and stronger, but reeling all day, moving the rod up and down, the mechanism of the reel is under heavy pressure. We encourage you to use a real jigging reel. Also, when you spool a reel with braided line, be sure to put some pressure (5 lbs) during spooling process. Otherwise, line will dig inside the spool.

JIG lures

Saltwater jigging lures are made for vertical fishing in deeper part of the sea; where other technics are less productive. Usually the bigger fishes stay near the bottom during daytime, only way to catch them, it's presenting a lure directly to them. Pelagic fishes don't like light, prefer deeper area, with less light & heat, bottom fishing or jigging is the most productive technique for these large fishes.

Jigs are usually made with metal, weight between 100 to 300 grams. Mainly, there's two types of JIG on the market, "Center weight" or "tail weight". On "center weight", the weight is balance around the center of the jig, on the "tail weight" they are placed towards the tail. Center weight jig is mainly used for midwater fishes (30-70m), slow descent with sideways movements. Really deadly on Cudas, kingfish, sailfish.

The "Tail weight" jig is balanced with a weight near the tail. This jig is designed to reach bottom quickly and lift with a less action. These jigs are used for deeper fishes. They are more streamlined, thinner, provide less resistance in the current and require less effort to manipulation.

  

Long or shorter jigs? your choice will depend on current's strength and the depth of your fishing area. Heavy lure will drop faster and will stay more vertical, for against, it will be harder to handle and require more effort. If it is too light, it will take more time to reach bottom and will have a open angle (current), but it will be less physical. The jig length will also affects the descent of the lure, for against, a big lure takes bigger fish. If you fish from 90 to 130 meters deep with a moderate current, a 150 to 250 grams jigs will be perfect. My favorite colors are pink / silver, green / gold, red / white fluorescent, Silver, Orange. Before buying a JIG, validate the "Lure weight" on your rod.

  

A Good size selection of jig is mandatory to be ready for different weather situation. In Dec 2014, winds and currents are in opposite direction, all our 200 grams jig stay in my tackle box, they can stay in vertical position. Only 250, 300 grams jigs were good for this fishing week, so always try to have different size of jig. We created new model of jig for 2015, KATANA 230, KAN 330, KNIFE 280.

If you need some jigging lures, visit us on PECHE SUD

Hooks choice

Usually, stronger hooks will be used. As, we only target bigger fishes with speed jigging technic, hooks will also be chosen in proportion to the size of the jig, the gap should be a little wider than jig's width. Also want a curved point towards inside. Usually, sizes vary from 7/0 to 13/0 for the "speed jigging", smaller sizes(5/0 to 7/0) for slow jigging.

• Jig of 150 grams - Hook 7/0 to 8/0
• Jig of 200 grams - Hook 8/0 to 9/0
• Jig of 230 grams - Hook 8/0 to 10/0
• Jig of 250 grams - Hook 9/0 to 11/0
• Jig of 300+ grams - Hook 10/0 to 13/0

I recommend DECOY & BKK hooks because yhey made stronger with super sharped cutting pointe, can penetrate easly any fish jaws. They are solid, nice finish and saltwater resistant. Specially design for jigging.

Line & leader

The braid line size depends on the rod strength (usually from 40 to 80 lb). We will often use PE terminolgy to indicate the braide line strength, calculate about 10 pounds per PE, such as: PE5 is about 50 lbs. We recommend 300-500 yards of line inside your reel. We also use a long leader (Approx. 15 feets length). The size of leader is based on fishes size and current strenght, usually we use 60-80 lbs leader is perfect. Bigger your leader is, more current will drag your line. Using fluorocarbon or nylon don't really make difference, except if sea floor is full of rock. So on a rocky area, go with fluorocarbon leader, otherwise Nylon leader will do the job.

There are new braided lines on the market with color changes (every 10 meters) very useful when you don't have a fish finder to calculate depth. Also, colors will prevent hanging, when you are close to the bottom. I personally prefer 8 strands braided line, a thinner line to gain speed during jig fall. You can use solid core braid or hollow-core braid, it doesn't really make a big difference, except hollow-core have more pull power. You can use an FG knot or PR knot to connect your braided line to the leader.

Advice

Lure weight      Leader size
120-150 gr       40-60 lb (Fluorocarbon or nylon)
170-250 gr       50-80 lb (Fluorocarbon or nylon)
250-350 gr       100-130 lb (Nylon)

Rigs & knot

The braid is connected to leader by PR KNOT, this node is designed to pass through the rod guides with a minimum of friction. Avoiding ceramic rings breakage. It takes some skill to achieve this knot, but the result worth it. Requires a fly tying bobbin. Watch the video to see how to make it. Great for jigging, it's the best knot to use when you need to attach a long leader.

     

It's also possible to use a FG Knot", shorter length, less friction on the guides than PR Knot, also no tools required.

     

The hook with the small kevlar rope (1.5 to 3 inches long) is named "Assist hook." Normally one "Assist hook" is enough, but some fishermen prefer a double hooks (as example: 2 x # 5 / 0) to increase the catch ratio. Myself, I prefer a single big hook, size #7/0 to 11/0 and I make sure that hooks gap is larger than the widest part of the JIG. Usally, the assist hooks, Jig and leader are attached to a metal ring called "Ring Solid", serving as an anchor point. But, you can also use a swivel as an anchor point, as shown in the picture. That avoiding twisted lines.

     

     

To attach the jig to leader, we use a node « Improved trilene knot » or San Diego Jam knot for big leader. For smaller leader, it's better to use a "AG Chain Knot", the stronger knot as i know. Fish bites are very obvious when you feel your jig slow down or become heavier, that mean Fish ON. Do not hesitate to set the hooks few time.

     

     

A simple knot to attach leader to hooks or to attach braided line inside reel spool, it's UNI KNOT

Accessory

I strongly recommend you to use a fighting belt, if you do not want to have a back pain or bruise on your belly, pliers for split ring, knife, gloves to protect your hands (braid). Create your own PR knotter using a fly tying bobbin and empty flytying thread bobbin for PR knot (Add some weight inside the bobbin).

SLOW Jigging or SLOW PITCH jigging"

Origin

While Nirohiro SATO was landing his college fish, he had left his jigging rod in the rod holder with the jig close to the bottom. Returning to his position, he pulled his rod and saw that a fish was at the end of the line. The sea was a little agitated, the movement of the boat was enough to animate the jig, attracting a fish to his lure. Subsequently, the idea came to fish in this way, leaving the lure close to the sea floor and animate it with small jerk. It's only a few years later SLOW jigging was born. SLOW jigs are usually made with one heavier side and one flat side, creating a jig with flat fall erratic sliding and wobbling motions.

Two words define SLOW jigging "LIGTH & SLOW", fishing with light equipment, requiring less physical effort. The jigs are usually rigged with two sets of hooks, one set at the head and another one on the tail, allowing fishermem to catch fish during jig drop and ascent . Generally, we will use jigs with 60 to 400 grams weight depending of the water current and depth. The high speed retrieve is replaced per graceful and slower movements. Catching fish with the natural motion of the jigs and not per forced and tiresome motion. Unlike "Speed jigging" where jig falls in a straight line, slow jig will fluttering all way down, increasing your chances of catch fish.

The goal behind slow jigging technique is catching fish close to the bottom without too much animation, attract all kind of fish, bring lure directly to the fishes, having something really attractive for low activity period. Also, give chance to slower species to grab the lures. But, I think the most important it doesn't require lot of physical effort as Speed jigging and you have same or better result.

Keep contact with the jig is the key in Slow jigging. If you lose contact, you never know when you gone reached the bottom or if a fish bited. So, if you see your line taking a horizontal path, that simply means current is too strong or your jig is too ligth. Bring everything up and exchang for an heavier jig. Sometime when current is too strong, you need to cast in front of the current to let the jig fall straigth to your fishing area. If the boat is equipped with a sea anchors, it's very hepfull.

Rod

Usually Slow jigging rod is longer than speed jigging rod (approximatively 6 to 7.5 feets long), having a thinner blanks, super parabolic action, fine and soft tip action. however, this rod will have good backbone close to reel support section. The soft tip will be use to bounce the jig, on each reel crank or rod pull, the rod tip will transfer the energy on the jig like a catapult. Jig will come up straigh and will fall like a leaf with slidding or wobbling action. As slow jigging rod has no powerful blanks, you will really not fight the fish with the rod, rather you will use the power of the reel. During big fight, rod is tip is almost under water, otherwise you will have some trouble to bring back your trophy. If we compare the situation to a clock hand, fight will be between 06:00 and 09:00. During our tests, PRO MARINE slow rod did a great job, low price, good quality, good value. As the reel and fishing line are really the key, you're better invest your money into a good reel and quality fishing line.

Reel

Using quality reel is mandatory in slow jigging, always try to use lighter weight reel with good retrieve speed and large line capacity. As “slow rod” has no enough power to fight or pull back large fish, the reel will support all the effort. High speed ratio (5.8:1 to 6.4:1) is require, if you want generate enough tip action to create enough lure bouncing, usually each reel crank will recuperate 80 to 110 cm of line. 300 to 400 meters of PE2-3 is perfect, usually 8-12 lb reel drag is enough, because slow jigging hooks are ligth and we don’t want them opened. A good reel drag is a "MUST "specially if sea floor is full of obstruction. Three reels has been tested, Daiwa Saltiga star drag, Shimano Ocea 20000, Shimano Talica 8, both of them are good. I personnaly chose the Daiwa Saltiga because I'm a lefty guy.

Line (Braided only)

We use 8 strand braided line, it must be thin for the following reasons: we want a good drop speed with minimum of friction reducing "Drag" effect, having more line capacity inside the reel and finally to have more sensibility. Thinner is your line, more jig control you will have. I loved PE X8 braided line from "Cross Factor", it’s a solide core, super thin, japanese quality strand with a round shape, line color change every ten meters, with a white marker every meter and black marker every five meters. Very helpful to locate depth and detect if you are close to the bottom. Another good breaded line, it’s the "J Braid from Daiwa" in 40 lbs, bit ticker but cheaper price. I recommended PE 1.5 to PE3 line size (20 to 40lb). Like speed jigging, you need to use 10-15 feet of clear leader, thin fluorocarbon leader is the best. Also don't forget to keep pressure on the line when you spool the reel, braided line need to be coiled very tight, dont want the line digged inside the spool.

Slow jigging hooks

Slow jigging hooks are bit different than speed jigging hooks, they are fine and very sharp. When I say "Sharp", I mean the hook point grips into yout skin when you touch it. The lenght of the assist cord can be long or short, just avoid getting hooks tangled. Hooks size are generaly smaller than those used for speed jigging, commom size is between 1/0 to 6/0. As the jig is often attacked during the descent, adding hooks at the jig's tail is a good thing, except if sea bottom is too crowded. During our last fishing trip, we just put two hooks on the jig head, as slow jigging hooks are so sharp, it's not uncommmon to hang fish by the head, side, belly. Owner Guardian hooks and Oishi hooks have both closed bends, allowing better penetration into fish jaws and reduced stalls. Note on the picture how the hooks point is oriented towards hook eyes.

There's no specific hooks size to use with slow jig, just validate the head and tail hooks don't touch each other. Generally, here is what I recommend in terms of size, but this can vary depending on the jig's shape and how manufacturer made the hooks. The chart below is based on : DECOY JS-3, Owner Guardian, Oishi Kaiken, BKK 8070.





If you want make your own assit hooks for Slow jigging, I invite you to watch these two videos. Hooks and terminal tackles are available at PECHE SUD

Slow pitch jigs

This lure is designed to look like a squid, as slow jig is a bit larger and fall flat, it has a tendency to DRAG during the drop, especially when current is strong and you need to go deep. Always keep line straigt is crucial, if you want give life to the jig and feel the bite. So, it's very important to choose the correct jig weight and chose the thinner fishing line as possible. How to choose the right jig? that depends on current strenght, depth, winds, if the fish live close to the bottom (snappers, grouper), I will go with a woobling jig as "Slowman, Knocker, Fusion, Rider jigs", larger profil, slow drop. In contrary, if you target a fish who stay in the water column as Jacks, Tuna, amberjack, I will go with "sliding" model as Blink, Infinite jigs.

Snappers or groupers are territorial fishes they will stay close to a structure, so they will not chase the jig as amberjacks, usually they will take the jig close to the bottom (1 to 10 meters). Also, you need to work your jig with very slow and give them more time. In a big school of snappers, first, you will feel smaller fishe's attack the jig, only after few second the big one will come. (Survival skills) In contrary, tunas, amberjacks, jacks, bonito will prefer jigs with "sliding" or "erratic" action. As they hunt vertically, fast animated jig will be much more successful.

About colors, I think color is really not a matter, usually blue, pink, silver color is the BEST. What jig weight will be the best? usually 150 to 200 grams jig is the good choice for (40 to 100 meter) depth. Between 10-30 meter, you can use 80-100 grams jigs, always try to go for the lighter weigth. I personnaly used 150-200 grams jig for the most situation, the only time I need to go with heavy jig as 240 grams, it's when I target deep species over 120 meters or current is too strong.



Slow jigs are in stock, Visit us on PECHE SUD



SLOWMAN - Woobling action jig - Bottom fishing - Snappers, grouper
KNOCKER - Woobling/sliding action jig - Bottom to mid-water - target all species of fishes
FUSION - Woobling/sliding action jig - Bottom to mid-water - target all species of fishes
BEE - Shallow water slow jig - Woobling/sliding action jig - Bottom to mid-water - target all species of fishes



BLINK - Sliding fast action jig - Bottom to mid-water - target all species of fishes
INFINITE - Sliding fast action jig - Bottom to mid-water - target all species of fishes

Slow pitch jigs for 2021

These new models are available from PECHE SUD online store. We add new colors, long jigs, also some heavy jigs.

• HATTORI 180gr - Longer jig, thin, easy to retreive, fast current, can be use for fast retreive or long fall.
• SOLARIS 200gr - Shorter jig, flat form, easy to retreive, medium fast current, fast retreive
• KABUKI 250gr - Medium lenght, flat form, larger, easy to retreive, medium fast current, medium fast retreive
• QUEEN CANDY 340gr - Heavy jig for slow pitch jigging in deep water
• GOLIATH 350gr - Heavy jig for slow pitch jigging in deep water

Rig

Always remember slow jigging hooks must be placed above the jig and not below. Otherwise you will hang in the sea floor. Normally, I recommend using only two hooks at the jig's head. With four hooks, you will catch more fish, but you will also hang the bottom. (Except if the sea floor is clean or soft) About rigs, you will need different size of solid ou split rings with you, depending of the target fish and jig size, you will need to match terminal size. You will also need a swivel or solid ring as anchor, because you can't attach directly the leader on the split ring or directly on the jig.





Terminal gear as split rings, solid rings (Size #5,6,8) are required, also swivel, assist cord (20,30), crazy glue, blade. Using a small plastic box is very helpfull. For myself, I use the same box for speed and slow jigging terminal.

Leader

We recommend to use at least 10 feet of 30-50lb fluocarbon or nylon leader. This length will allow you to bring the fish on board more easily, also the jig will appear completely free. You can use fluorocarbon if seafloor is very rocky or the water is very clear. Otherwise nylon leader does very well. I prefer thin leader size, otherwise it will deform the movement of the jig. To connect leader to the braid, I use an FG or PR Knot for a maximum strength.

Slow jgging motion

High pitch: Let the jig falls to the bottom, then, raise it quickly by two three turns of crank, because we don't want to be hanged. Subsequently, it's like "speed jigging" mouvements in slow motion, slower pace, the jig fall one second between each crank.

Slow pitch: Keep the rod parallel to the water plan, load the rod by one reel crank (or less) and make small pause between each turn crank. The jig will move from vertical to horizon and so on. Since the reel retrives nearly one meter per crank, the jig rises with a left / right movement. It can be simply waddled close to the bottom (1 meter), it is very effective on snappers, alway try to follow the sea floor.

Long picth / long fall: Pull the jig up by high sticking the rod in direction of the sky, as soon as the rod reaches its full height, quickly drop the rod tip to the water level. Then, let the jig fall, follow the fishing line movement, as soon line change direction, set the hook. Repeate this motion and add a reel turn to change the jig position in the water column. Be careful not tangle the line on the rod tip.

We can also mix all his movements, use the one you like the most, the main thing is catching fish.

Slow jigging in Fresh water

Yes, Slow jigging is also very effective in freshwater during summer when fish stays under the thermocline. We did some tests on Champlain's lake trout and it works very well. When the water starts to warm up, trout stays under the thermocline, close to the bottom, concentrate at specific locations. At this moment, SLOW jigs become unbeatable. In terms of results, Mathieu and three friends made a hundred trouts in the same day, no trolling, it's about staying on top of the school and doing some intensif jigging. Best jigs weight is between 60 and 100gr in silver or blue color, a fine rigging is required, small size leader in Fluorocarbon 12-20 lbs.

I also think that the Slow Jigging technique can be used in the Saguenay Fjor for cod or redfish, it's bottom fish that feed mainly on squid or shrimp. The slow jig is totally suitable for these species, as these fish feed between the bottom and part of the water column.

Summer lake trout fishing, how to do it? Use SLOW Jig lure

Lake trout on Slow jig is the most efficient, effective and effortless way to catch lake trout during the summer months, no trolling, no downrigger, just locate the fishes and drop the jig. This technic is effective when trouts run down to the deeper part of the lake, usually they are grouped close to the bottom. Use a fish finder to locate the school, then drop a slow jig in front of them and let them come.

Most of the fishermen use rubber jigs or bucktail jigs, but these kind of jigs will never beat the wobbling action of the slow jig. The slow jig look like a falling dead minnow, it flash and vibrate by itself. Usually, 60,80,100 grams jig is perfect in term of size and drop speed for Lake trout. First, you drop the jig to the bottom, when the jig reach the floor, hit the lake floor with the jig few time, it move up some mud and dust, creating a dusty cloud that will attract fishes. At the moment they see the jig coming out, they will instinctively bite. Use a long jerk and long fall jigging move.







Slow jig lures for Lake trout or walleyes, visit us on PECHE SUD

Knot to use

Use a FG Knot to connect braided line to your leader and between your leader and jig, you can use a "UNI Knot", "AG chain knot" or "San Diego jam knot"

Travelling with jigging lures

Separate all your jigs from other items such as hooks, swivels and rings. Put all the jigs in a bag or box without hooks and all other items in another plastic box with compartments. I don't recommend pre-mounting the hooks on the jigs, firstly it's a mess and you might get stung. Normally, we rig the swivel + hooks on the fishing leader when we are on the boat, this avoids injuries. You can change the jig without having to redo the assembly, simply replace the jig using split ring pliers. If you pre-assemble all your jigs with the hooks, you will have to cut and re-tie your knot every time you change the jig. Normally, we know the fishing depth, it will be easy for you to judge the size of hook to use once onboard.



When going on an airplane trip, always register your luggage at the "Oversize" counter along with your rod case. At the "Oversize" check-in, the fishing gear will be scanned immediately in front of you, I strongly recommend this way of doing, it avoids unpleasant surprises like not receiving the luggage containing the jigs at the destination. The jigs are made of metal and are seen as knives by the customs scanner, your luggage will be automatically searched by a customs officer, an experience that I have personally lived. As you probably know, it is not allowed to carry hooks in the carry-on, I do not recommend the jigs either, sometimes the reels are tolerated so well wrapped, because they judge that the line can be used as a weapon.

Fishing in Cuba - Vertical fishing - (Speed and Slow jigging technics)