jignjake

Got out on the river today, no luck. Fast currents for the kayak made it tough to make quality presentations but still a beautiful day here in the Fort.

Concerning punch rigs, do you use a wide gap hook or a heavy flipping hook? Also, never heard of that Mendota Rig. Checked it out and looks very cool. Always amazed what I can find out on this site, thanks again guys.

I appreciate the tips guys, will definitely try them out next time I tie on a jig. Although, that may be awhile here in Fort Wayne IN.

Ok then, what jigs do you guys prefer?

Alright guys, I fancy myself a decent jig fisherman and at my local spot its a necessity that I use one due to the cover presented. I fish a slow moving, muddy river that is chalk full of trees, logs, rocks and god knows what else from the bank to bottom. I have semi consistently lost a jig or two every time out. I know it's a great lure for the bass in there and have had good success dragging it over and through all the cover in the river. I guess I have two questions. 1. Is it just an accepted part of jig fishing in very heavy cover that you lose some? 2. Is there a specific head design that comes through cover better than others? Specifically wood? Any tips on head design, fishing technique or anything related to heavy cover jig fishing would be appreciated guys.

Ice just came off the St. Joe River in Fort Wayne today. Took the kayak out and fished some jigs, spinnerbait and a rapala x rap............. Nothin. Lol saw a few surface shallow on a steep bank but no luck for me.

I've fished from a kayak for over 3 years now and there's nothing I desire more than the ability to stand and fish. Not being able to stand limits several things that can only help you put more fish in the boat. Here are a few, jerk bait, top water and flipping jigs properly, scanning the water for cover from a better perspective AND more successful hook sets. THE biggest difference I've noticed in a kayak is the amount of fish you miss with non-moving baits where a real "hook set" is crucial to getting the fish into the boat. From the seated position you are at a much lower position of leverage with the rod and therefore a much different position for a proper hook set. The ability to stand in a kayak creates the best position to perform the listed techniques properly, better visually spot cover AND gives you the best position to set the hook on fish.

Punch Rigs are virtually THE most weedless technique out there. Get a heavy bullet weight, 3/4 to 2 ounce depending on the density of the cover, a "punch" or "slither" rig and a heavy wide bend or flipping hook. The plastic you choose to put on the hook should be very aerodynamic looking to come through cover better.

Glad to see another kayak angler on here. Well, I've been in your exact same predicament for several months now. Unfortunately I have NOT found any other stand-up kayaks for less than the Ascend costs. I will caution you, I have heard and read consistent reviews of this exact kayak you posted and they are generally bad. Lots have been complaining about the d**n thing taking on water! And a consistent complaint in reviews has been its VERY tough to paddle, speed and manueverability. This sucks for those of us trying kayak fish on a budget. All the people I've talked to on here and in person have preached an inconvenient truth, you are gonna get what you pay for buddy. That being said, I've been looking at Jackson Kayaks. They aren't $700 but they also aren't Hobies for $2500-$4000. Just save up your pennies and buy a great product with a good warranty and a great reputation. Watch videos on Jackson Kayaks "Big Rig" and " Coosa HD". These are the two I've boiled it down to.

I've found the Berkley Havoc Pit Boss is a great jig trailer when you are fishing pressured bass. Check it out sometime, good colors with four slim appendages that all move on the fall or when twitched.

I've read those punch rigs are anywhere from 3/4 ounce to 2 ounce just depending on the density of weeds and fall rate you desire. I'd start with 1 ounce in a natural color with a "flapping" style trailer that has great action on the fall. My new fave trailer this past year has been the strike king menace grub, small baitfish profile with twin tail flappers on the back, check em out!

I also fish heavy vegetation lakes and have a lot of confidence in jigs on rocky and wood cover. They make jig styles such as "punching" jigs that excel in deep weeds, you oughta try that technique for bigger bass. Dirty Jigs custom jigs make a fantastic punching jig in heavier weights that drives em nuts when it's tumbling down deep weeds.

My experience has been that when you target bigger bites you ultimately will get less bites overall. I don't fish swim baits very much but some of my biggest bites have come after an hour or more of no action whatsoever. I've read a lot of great articles on this site about targeting trophy bass, you should search for them on here. Swimbaits were mentioned in several of these articles as a trophy catcher. A very highly reviewed soft swim bait I've heard about time and time again has been power team lures swinging hammer. They look great and are offered in large sizes. Another larger profile option related to swim baits and a bigger bite is a swim jig with a swim bait trailer in spring. Keep posting and lemme know what you find on swim baits as they're a technique I need to learn more myself.

Plastics are a MUST for anytime of year and especially whenever the bite gets slow. It presents a less aggressive prey for the fish and therefore may elicit a bite when other presentations won't. I personally love using a reaction innovations sweet beaver when the bite is tough. I fish it weightless and slowly twitch it back towards me. For that matter any weightless soft plastics are a great option for tough bites. Keep grinding man, we all go through tough stretches in fishing. Don't get too frustrated and take as much away from the tough bite as you can, I know I've learned more from grinding out a tough bite.

Nice one! Looking forward to spring already.