Vertical Jigging

Various sources...

Definition of jigging:

Jigging can be described as dropping an appropriate weight metal jig resembling a bait fish to a specfic depth and retreiving using a rythmic jerking or pumping motion of the rod. This jerking motion coupled with the blade like shape of the jig itself makes the lure dart upwards, and flutter downwards like a fleeing or wounded bait fish enticing any nearby gamefish to bite.

To be done successfully jigging also requires a fair amount of rod work, knowledge of the seafloor topography, bait fish activity, currents, sea conditions, and coordination with the captain of the boat. Contrary to popular belief this type of angling can be more difficult than live lining or some other conventional method to catch the same target species. The reward for the physical and mental effort spent in jigging is with out a doubt the shear excitement of hooking into a large gamefish. When anglers talk about what it feels like to get a strike words like freight train, tank, and mac truck are often used.

This method of fishing has come a long way, probably from yonder years already. But recently it has been greatly improved upon by creating purpose built tackle, and irressitable lures.

Its not for the faint hearted however, and if properly executed, can tap you from a lot of energy. The results are normally great in terms of the fish species caught, and the size of the fish.

The other advantage is that you can target your fish at great depths, and catch different species at different depths.

There are a number of main contributors to practicing the vertical jigging system namely, the rod, reel, line/leader, jig fish finder and GPS. The rod is a critical component to the complete jigging system. You need to keep the jig moving for extended periods, so a consistent lifting and reeling puts a lot of stress on both your rod and reel. The rods you choose should be designed to pair up with the jigs you are using. They should feel extremely light and comfortable, yet have the backbone to stop and bring the fish up, all the while being responsive enough to let you know exactly what’s going on at the end of the line. Equally important is the reel, today’s spinning reels have evolved to such a degree that they give the angler a simple solution to gaining a retrieve rhythm but do have capacity limitations, the only advantage a machine reel will offer is a greater line capacity but compromises on the retrieve comfort. You will find that getting into a rhythm with a machine reel takes a little more time but once you begin to master it it does become relatively more comfortable. Just be aware that the reel you have chosen has the drag system with enough guts to be subjected to tremendous strain, there are many wannabe’s that will let you down. The success of the vertical jigging system surely is a product of the new line advancements with the hi tech braided line options available on the market today, the key is getting the jigs down to the exact depth and maintaining control of where you are fishing in the water columns, marked lines make this possible. Finally an angler can only realize the true potential of the technique if he can find the Reefs, drop-offs, wrecks and pinnacles that the fish congregate around, understanding your sounding equipment is as critical as the other equipment and should be considered a major factor.

All in all vertical jigging is a pretty exciting angling technique, paired up with the right reel and rod and you have a exhilarating new way to fish. It is a thrilling new way to target a much wider variety of species since you are targeting fish on a reaction versus a hunger bite. An important fact is that one can effectively fish the entire water column not just the bottom.

Learning the art of vertical jigging is very rewarding and the skill levels in understanding all the equipment on your boat along with your tackle and its angling potential is paramount to your ensured success. Knowing your fish finder, GPs is an integral part to the success, and as you become more fluent in the technique you will be able to differentiate the non Pelagic against the roaming pelagic species.

What is probably so exciting about the vertical jigging technique is that you are fishing in a depth of water which was seldom visited by anglers, due to the streamline nature of the jigs easily reaching depths in excess of 100m because of the braided line combinations different fish are being hooked and landed. One of these is the dirty fighting Amberjack or Seriola species, these fish head straight for the rocks when hooked and will cut you off if you don’t hold him with all the power that you possess. In a recent trip with the team we managed to break the current South African record at least 8 times in 2 days, we do not promote the killing of fish as we regard fishing as our sport so would rather forfeit any record claim. What is interesting is that this species has always been in our waters we just have not had the technology of finding them in the past.

Please remember that with great knowledge in this form of angling comes an even greater responsibility to practice the technique of releasing your fish safely back to the ocean. Many bottom fish fall prey to the vertical jigging technique and suffer the effects of barotraumas when surfacing. So before you head out on a vertical jigging trip always carry the correct equalizing equipment so you can send it back to the depths safely. Our team have designed 2 fantastic products which can assist an angler in landing fish safely for both the fish and the crew on the boat and an efficient means of releasing the fish should it suffer any Barotrauma effects. These products are available in leading tackle stores.

Some suggested combinations:-

For 200g to 400g jigs

Shimano Jigwrex 5.2 extra heavy – Shimano Stella 10000 – Jigman Braid 80lb
Shimano Speedmaster 183 heavy – Shimano Saragosa 14000 – Jigman braid 80lb
Shimano beastmaster 183 heavy – Shimano Torsa 30 or 20 – Whiplash 100lb
Accurate ACCSJ40058C - Accurate Boss Magnum 665N – 100lb Whiplash
Accurate ACCSJ40058S – Accurate twinspin SR-30 – 80lb Jigman Braid

For 100g to 300g jigs

Shimano Jigwrex 6.0 heavy – Shimano Stella 10000 – 80 Lb Jigman Braid
Shimano trevalla 6.6 heavy – Shimano Torsa 20 – 100lb Jigman braid

We have found that there are few products that can stand up to the extreme pressures that you will place on your rod by using this techniques, so be very careful when choosing your rods and reels when deciding to use this technique, there is nothing more frustrating than jigging for an extended period and you finally get the hookup of the big fish and end up loosing it because your rod or reel have exploded. 

more about tackle and setup for jigging in next issue.....