Pitchin Jigs

I am new to the technique of pitchin jigs with plastics to shore and I was wondering what makes certain sections of rip rap better than others. Also, I would like to learn more about how to atually fish the jigs. Any info would be appreciated.
Tony

Hey Tony, Welcome to the site. I am not the one to give you expert advice on this but I can share a few things. Early and late in the day or even at night is the best time to pitch/cast jigs to shorelines. But you can find them there during the day hours too. The fish love to feed on the shad and minnows that are on the rocky shorelines. They can corner them up against the rocks. An area where there is deep water very close by helps alot to determine if it is a good spot or not. Fish are also active on sand flats on the river where the shad and or minnows are too. They can push the bait fish up against the shoreline where they run out of water and are basicly trapped so to speak. Casting ringworms and K-tails are good lure choices. As the weekend comes to a close there will be more people back on the message board and some more sharing will take place. Thanks, Bill

This time of year I look for the rip rap areas with deep water really close by, 20’+. Current has a lot to do with locating walleye on a shoreline as described above but this time of year with low flows those fish will be spread out over the shoreline.

Key areas are at the base of the shoreline rip rap where it meets the main basin of the river and areas with a slide or small rock point. The less aggressive fish will be caught right at the base of the rip rap, as the bite heats up look for the walleye to move right up close to shore in 6’of water or less.

In most situations a 1/8oz to 3/16oz jig will get the job done. The key is to have the right jig sized matched with the diameter of your chosen line, this will allow your bait to slowly sweep down along the rocks with out the extra needed hang ups.

One of the biggest mistakes I see beginners of this presentation make is to cast there offering up current. This will catch fish, don’t get me wrong, but until you have the confidence and experience on how to read what that jig is doing, the current is going to wash you right under the rocks making you discouraged having to re-tie all the time. Best advice I can give a beginner is to cast at a 90degree angle from your boat to the shoreline and let the jig naturally do it’s work.

These are just a few tips on what works for my boat. James Holst, along with myself, made an educational video outlining this presentation from head to toe. It can be purchased by clicking on the link in my signature as well as Hooked on Fishing in Rochester and Everts Resort located just below Lock and dam #3 on pool 4.

Any more questions just ask away

Thanks a lot guys. That info will really help me. Oh, by the way Bill, I don’t know if you realized it but I am the kid at the walleye seachers meetings. I recognized your picture so I thought I would let you know! Thanks again.
Tony

Hey Tony, now I know who you are. Welcome. Don’t forget to come to the Keith Kavajecz seminar at the Elks Club Monday night on March 15th. Keith will be covering jigging [probably vertical jigging] and leadline trolling . Keith use to be a Walleye Searchers member years ago. Always glad to see new faces at the meetings and especially kids who have an interest in fishing. Thanks, Bill

ps. Tony, I sent you a pm.

Hey Bill. I plan on coming to the seminar. It should be pretty interesting and informative. Thanks again for the info and tips.
Tony

Hey Bill,

Is anyone allowed to go to the seminar with Keith. Is it in Rochester? Thanks.

Captain Anchor,
The seminar is open to anyone and it is free.

Here is the post with all the info Walleye Searchers 3/15 Seminar with Keith Kavajecz

Hey Tony if you get a chance grab a THursday Nights Post Bulletin there is a article in the sports section on Pitching Jigs with Glenn Marshall
Glen is one of the most talented fisherman you could ever meet there is some good tips in there say if you don’t get a chance to pick one up let me know and I will bring a copy to the seminar.

Nate,

Do you know if one can get the article by Glenn Marshall on-line? I looked at the Post Bulletin web site but didn’t find it.

Thanks,

Boone

I couldn’t find it also so I do not Know if you want I can make a copy of the article and snail mail it to you.

give me a pm with an address and I would be more than happy to do so. and that offer goes to anyone who would like a copy. this is a pretty good article as is any article with our local River Rats.

It looks like you have to have a subscription and userid/password to access that portion of the Post Bulletin online newspaper. Here is the link if you can access it:
Cast your jig for river ‘eyes

Here is a link to the home page: http://www.postbulletin.com/
barc