question about jig fishing....

[jerevicious]

I have a friend who called last night to invite me steelhead fishing this coming weekend....he's allready there and has been fishing all week....he said he's been using a float and jig and doing really well....he said he is catching fish while others are not....he said what he is doing different then others is using a smaller jig and longer leader then others....but he said he's fishing in mainly 2-3' of water.

I'm wondering what you guys think about someone using a leader 6-8' long in 2-3' of water. He told me with the water so clear that a short leader won't work because the bobber/swival spooks the fish if he uses a 2' leader.

I told him that when I come over I'd like to fish the way I always do with a leader thats a length appropriate to the depth I'm fishing and not banging the bottom with my jig. He says thats why he's using Jigs that weigh 1/32 to 1/64 of an ounce so its not hitting the bottom much and that he rarely gets hung up (snagged). He says that way the jig kind of floats behind his bobber and few feet to the side depending on the area he's fishing.

What do you guys think? Do what he's doing or fish a more conventional way like I'm used to and then possibly not catch any or as many?

[jeffek]

if it aint broke dont fix it, ya it sounds odd but if thats whats workin why fish different?

[cuttstosteelies]

Sounds like "bobber drifting".....  I've done it with bait and pink worms but never with a jig.  Basically back bouncing with a bobber.  Sounds like the weight of the jig would get hung up a lot???  I'd go standard method and observe his technique closely.  It may be a bit different that what you're gathering.  Who knows though, as there are zillions of techniques us anglers have yet to discover.  I'm really itchin' to use spinner baits for coho this fall.  We'll see.

[Big Buck]

  there are in fact many ways to skin a cat,  but i love outside the box, with so many people in such limited space, for the most part all throwing the same few rigs ,  if its working for your partner than it should work for you.  good luck.

[Fast- eddy]

Not trying to start anything here,but it kind of sounds like float and jig flossing to me.
Longer leader with a light jig sliding sideways down the fish holding zone.

[younggun]

i think i'll agree with eddy.

[rvrfshr]

 

[bugnuts]

Well said, Joe.