Question for James,Dustin,Steve

I have heard you guys say in past reports that a slow drop when pitchin plastics to wingdams/rip-rap ect. can be very effective. I have been fishing with hi-vis 8/3 fireline strickly for its sensitivity, but will be trying mono this fall for the first time. In your opinions would say a Berkley XT in the 6lb range be my best choice and if current levels are low would 8lb be a better choice to keep a bait “up” longer so to speak? I know their are a lot of lines out there and I have fished with very few of them in a pitching application. I love firelines sensitivity but, after watching your video and fishing the same areas as Steve and reading his reports he outfishes me 4 to 1, something has got to change! first will be line.
I am not discriminate towards any line manufacturer so any info or opinions will be greatly appreciated.
Matt Erickson

Matt,

I have been using fireline high vis for some time now and I still like using this time of year on the dams. I will actually fish braid as long as I can until the cold (sub freezing) temps kick in. Then I make the switch over to 6# hi-vis monos such as Berekley sensation lines. I know there are some other hi-vis lines out there that others like that I have not tried yet, so they may have more to comment on that than I do.

The braid helps me and my customers get out of the stickiness of the dams. By using the banjo trick, I can retrieve over half of the snags on a daily basis due to the no-stretch factor. And spekaing of no-stretch factor, I also really like the sensitivity that the braid gives you. Even on those windy days, I can still feel that light “tick” on the line.

Pitching jigs to structure such as dams, rip rap, sand, gravel, etc… IMO, jig size needs to remain the biggest key factor in your presentation. To get that proper drop speed that the fish dictate day in and day out can be so, so critical. Line weights will definately play a role in that critical drop speed, but it all starts with the right jig size. I know James and Dustin fish alot more mono than I do, which I believe is personal preference here. The pitching technique is certainly not something that can be mastered overnight. IMO this is a technique where little details can make a difference from catching a couple walleyes to doubling or tripling your days catch. I have seen it all too often with customers. (I know I am getting off subject here, but bare with me ). I will spend the first hour or so with customers making sure they get the technique down pat. Often times I will not even wet a line on a spot until I know they got the technique down!

I hope this helps a bit Matt! Good luck to you!

Hi Matt,

Like Steve said, I like to throw mono more than I do hard lines. I use 8lb solar sensation. If I am focusing solely on wing dams, like Steve does most of the time I will cast hardline to save some time re-tying. For rip rap, sand flats and dragging jigs you can’t beat mono in my book. I like the drift you get with mono better than the hard lines. I do have both lines rigged on pitching rods. Some days it does make quite a difference on which line you chose. With the no stretch factor of the hard lines you will get a more erratic action out of your bait, the hardline allows you to fish more aggressively and can pay off big some days if the activity level of the fish is very agressive.

Jig size is very important as well. I like lighter jigs in cleaner water. The lighter jigs will drop at a much slower rate keeping your offering in the strike zone longer. When the water is clean those eyes are always looking up for their next meal.The lighter jigs allows the bait to stay in the upper part of the water column longer. If the water is dirtier I will fish heavier with a quick lift and drop as opposed to the finesse slow fall of the lighter jig. The heaver jig will make more of a thump when it hits the bottom and gives those eye’s something to hone in on in stained water.

One of hardest presentations you will ever have to learn in walleye fishing is casting a jig. It all comes down to time on the water. Keep at it and you will be rewarded

Thanks to both of you for your valuable info!! What lb test do you use with superlines and are their any advantages to using a fused vs a braid. I know the fireline holds alot of water, just wonder about the braids your using. Either way, looks like I’ll be rigged with both mono and a “hardline”.

Once again thanks for the info. See ya on the water!!!

Quote:

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One of hardest presentations you will ever have to learn in walleye fishing is casting a jig. It all comes down to time on the water.

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Dustin,

Could you elaborate on that statement? I agree with you 100% that the only way to master something is to spend time on the water. I just want to be sure of what I’m trying to master

I think I have a prety good handle on feeling a bite. I can feel bottom and can tell when I’m ticking off the rocks or dragging through the sand. I don’t have a good feel for how hard I should work a jig. In fact so far I seem to get as many or more bites when I try and hold the darned thing still, almost like ice fishing. I did order the video and have stocked up on popcorn so I’m ready to study.

Many thanks to you guys for answering these questions.

Rootski

Rootski,

The reason I say this is because knowing what your jig is doing at all times comes with experience. Just casting it out and working it back to the boat is not going to work. Watching your line and knowing when to lift and drop keeps you out of snags, throw in some wind and things become much more difficult for someone who is a novice at this presentation. Anglers who first try this method will more often than not get frustrated and go back to vertical jigging because it what they are good at.

Sounds to me that you have a good handle on this application