Jig Fishing
Western Basin home to jigging heaven
A plain jig is an odd lure. It really does not resemble anything in
nature that a fish would eat.But dress it up with some color, deer hair, and perhaps a worm, minnow or grub and it becomes a formidable weapon in any fisherman’s arsenal.
It has been that way for thousands of years. Jigs were used by the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks. Even cave dwellers carved jig-looking lures out of bone to catch their fish. So folks
today are just carrying on a long tradition. Lake Erie anglers use a variety of jigs (we also call them lead heads) to fish for walleyes through the ice and for several weeks after
ice-out in the early spring. The rest of the year jigs get shoved to the back of the tackle box in favor of other more productive lures. Why just jigs early? Presentation is probably the main reason. Ice-out water is extremely cold, just a few degrees above freezing, and the
fish are still in a lethargic state. So a slow deliberate angling style is required, making the lead head the logical choice. On my last jigging trip we were fortunate to have a calm day with only a slight drift. Schools of pre-spawn walleyes were congregating over a
rocky bottom in about 12 feet of water. We were all armed with six-foot, medium-heavy rods and reels spooled with Berkley Fireline. I picked out a quarter-ounce dark brown bucktail
jig and attached the line without using a snap swivel. Baiting up is a little more complicated. You want to give as natural a presentation as possible. To do this, start the hook through the
minnow’s mouth and out the gill, then twist and place the hook through the body behind the dorsal fin. When the jig hits the bottom, the minnow will appear in a swimming position. I made a short cast away from the boat and let the lure settle to the bottom before taking up slack. Once the line was tight I slowly raised the rod tip and I could feel the lead bump across some rocks. Then I slowly raised the rod tip higher this time, bringing the jig two-to-three feet off the bottom before letting it settle back to the bottom. During the fall, a walleye hit and I had my first fish. It was not a hard hit, just a tap before I felt the weight of the fish. This is a typical method of jig fishing for walleyes, but sometimes the angler will have to change lure weights and colors before finding the right combination. So keep the arsenal well-stocked. I have one plastic lure box that contains an assortment of jigs from an eighth-ounce up to a half-ounce. I usually purchase them in various colors from the likes of Walmart, Cabela’s and Gander Mountain. A second box contains soft lure bodies such as curlytails, worms and grubs in basic colors. If I do not do anything else, I make sure that the color dark purple is included. Purple is a hot color for walleye jigging. I do not know why. A third box contains store-bought lures that I have had success with over the years. These include the Lindy Fuzz-E-Grub, and a lot of Cabela and Northland creations in as many colors and sizes as I can afford. In recent years, tackle manufacturers have come up with rattle tubes that can be attached to the jig. They are small but add big benefits to attract fish. Keep them handy. As soon as the ice is gone from the Western Basin, fishermen will start gathering in shallow off-shore waters and around the many reefs. If there is a jigging heaven this is it. Capt. Tony Denslow
About the Author
Capt. Tony Denslow is a retired news journalist who now operates a sportfishing charter business on Lake Erie.
Basic Jig Fishing
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HUGE LOT OF FISHING GEAR hard/soft lures reels rods tackle hooks jigs line tools $800.00 |
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YGK YOZ-AMI GALIS ULTRA JIG MAN WX8 #2.0-33Lbs [1200m] $689.64 |
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Shimano Flat-Side Butterfly Jig Pack – Tuna $659.99 |
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YGK YOZ-AMI GALIS ULTRA JIG MAN WX8 #2.5-40Lbs [1200m] $638.34 |
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New Shimano Torsa 40 Deepsea Jigging FIshing Reel TS-40 Free Cover $605.00 |
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YGK YOZ-AMI GALIS ULTRA JIG MAN WX8 #3.0-47Lbs [1200m] $598.44 |
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Tenryu Jig Zam Deep Rider Jigging Rod Spin JDR-561S-8 $460.00 |
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YGK YOZ-AMI GALIS ULTRA JIG MAN WX8 #6.0-86Lbs [1200m] $518.64 |
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YGK YOZ-AMI GALIS ULTRA JIG MAN WX8 #5.0-78Lbs [1200m] $501.54 |
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RARE VINTAGE W.B. GUILD FISHING FLY TYING HAND JIG VISE LATHE CIRCA 1880 BOSTON $489.99 |
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YGK YOZ-AMI GALIS ULTRA JIG MAN WX8 #4.0-62Lbs [1200m] $490.14 |
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Eagle Claw® Glow Jig Ice Fishing Kit $499.89 |
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Ocean Star Fishing Jigging Trolling Reel 8+2 BB 30KG Drag -Aviation aluminum $469.00 |
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G.Loomis Classic Bass Spin Jig SJR783-2 GLX Spinning Rod $450.00 |
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G LOOMIS 6’6 CLASSIC SPIN JIG SPINNING ROD SJR783-2 GLX $450.00 |
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G Loomis Classic Spin Jig Spinning Rod SJR783-2 GLX 6’6″ Medium Heavy 2pc $450.00 |
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G LOOMIS Spin Jig Rod SJR783-2 GLX FREE SHIP+HAT! $450.00 |
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NEW Shimano Calcutta TE 400LJV Lucanus Jig Version Reel $449.99 |
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GLoomis NRX 853 JWR G GREEN 7’1″ Med-Heavy Jig & Worm Fishing Rod – NRX853CJWR G $435.00 |
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GLoomis NRX 854 JWR G GREEN 7’1″ Heavy Jig & Worm Fishing Rod – NRX854CJWR G $435.00 |
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GLoomis NRX 852 JWR G GREEN 7’1″ Medium Jig & Worm Fishing Rod – NRX852CJWR G $425.00 |
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Seeker Super Seeker SS-ULUA 93H-9 1/4′ CT S Glass Medium Action Jig Stick $415.99 |
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GLoomis NRX 803C JWR G GREEN 6’8″ Med-Heavy Jig & Worm Fishing Rod -NRX803CJWR G $415.00 |
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G. Loomis Bass Series Jig and Worm BCR855 7’1 GLX $400.00 |
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Seeker Super Seeker Series SS6470XH-7 Jig and Bait Rod $411.00 |
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G. Loomis Bass Series Jig and Worm BCR854 7’1 GLX $395.00 |
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GLoomis NRX 802C JWR G GREEN 6’8″ Medium Jig & Worm Fishing Rod -NRX802CJWR G $405.00 |
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Shimano Jig Wrex Spinning Rod S 183 M Travel 3 pc $335.00 |
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Seeker Super Seeker SS 6470H-7′ Jig and Bait Rod $404.99 |
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NEW G LOOMIS 7’1 BASS JIG & WORM CASTING ROD BCR855 GLX $400.00 |
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G Loomis Jig & Worm Casting Rod BCR855 GLX 7’1″ Mag-Heavy 1-Piece $400.00 |
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G. Loomis Bass Series Jig and Worm BCR804 6’8 GLX $385.00 |
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G. Loomis Bass Series Jig and Worm BSR802 6’8 GLX $385.00 |
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G. Loomis Bass Series Jig and Worm BSR803 6’8 GLX $385.00 |
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G. Loomis Bass Series Jig and Worm BCR853 7’1 GLX $385.00 |
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G. Loomis Bass Series Jig and Worm BCR852 7’1 GLX $385.00 |
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G LOOMIS Jig&Worm Casting Rod BCR855 GLX FREE SHIP+HAT! $400.00 |
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NEW G LOOMIS 7’1 BASS JIG & WORM CASTING ROD BCR854 GLX $395.00 |
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G Loomis Jig & Worm Casting Rod BCR854 GLX 7’1″ Heavy 1-Piece $395.00 |
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G LOOMIS Jig&Worm Casting Rod BCR854 GLX FREE SHIP+HAT! $395.00 |
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Seeker Super Seeker Series SS6470H-7 Jig and Bait Rod $392.00 |
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G. Loomis Bass Series Jig and Worm BCR802 6’8 GLX $375.00 |
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G. Loomis Bass Series Jig and Worm BCR803 6’8 GLX $375.00 |
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NEW G LOOMIS 7’1 BASS JIG & WORM CASTING ROD BCR853 GLX $385.00 |
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NEW G LOOMIS 7’1 BASS JIG & WORM CASTING ROD BCR852 GLX $385.00 |
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NEW G LOOMIS 6’8 BASS JIG & WORM CASTING ROD BCR804 GLX $385.00 |
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G Loomis Jig & Worm Casting Rod BCR804 GLX 6’8″ Heavy 1-Piece $385.00 |
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G Loomis Jig & Worm Casting Rod BCR852 GLX 7’1″ Medium 1pc $385.00 |
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G Loomis Jig & Worm Casting Rod BCR853 GLX 7’1″ Medium Heavy 1-Piece $385.00 |
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G Loomis Jig & Worm Spinning BSR802 GLX 6’8″ Medium 1pc $385.00 |
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G Loomis Jig & Worm Spinning Rod BSR803 GLX 6’8″ Medium Heavy 1-Piece $385.00 |
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G LOOMIS BCR852 GLX 7’1″ MEDIUM JIG &WORM ROD SERIES $385.00 |
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Shimano Jig Wrex Spinning Rod S 165 ML Travel 3 Pc $335.00 |
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G LOOMIS JIG & WORM CASTING ROD BCR804 GLX BRAND NEW $385.00 |
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G LOOMIS BASS & JIG SPINNING ROD BSR802 GLX BRAND NEW $385.00 |
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G LOOMIS Jig&Worm Spinning Rod BSR803 GLX FREE SHIP+HAT $385.00 |
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G LOOMIS Jig&Worm Spinning Rod BSR802 GLX FREE SHIP+HAT $385.00 |
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G LOOMIS Jig&Worm Casting Rod BCR853 GLX FREE SHIP+HAT! $385.00 |
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G LOOMIS Jig&Worm Casting Rod BCR852 GLX FREE SHIP+HAT! $385.00 |
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G LOOMIS Jig&Worm Casting Rod BCR804 GLX FREE SHIP+HAT $385.00 |
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Jig Time Bassin’ [VHS] $19.99 … |
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The New Walleye Tactics: Tips & Techniques $7.99 … |
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In-Fisherman Jig Time Bassin’ … |
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Survival Fishing Kit – Standard Version $26.95 The Standard Emergency Survival Fishing Kit is an exceptionally well stocked, durable, quality and inexpensive survival fishing kit. Like our Basic Emergency Fishing Kit, it was designed as a collaborative effort between survivalists and avid fisherman. Therefore, it goes without saying that this survival fishing kit is a quality item. The Best Glide Survival Fishing Kit comes in a durable tin co… |
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Ice Fishing – 24W x 16H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
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GILMOUR MANUFACTURING 967ZD IMPULSE SPKLR W/ZINC BASE $36.60 x… |
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Bass: The Movie $32.00 This year Howard Films went on a road trip for America’s most infamous underwater creature: The Largemouth Bass. We wanted to see this fish up close & personal, but were not sure how it could have the drama of a saltwater fish haunting white-sand flats. So, we spent a year looking around for the right place to start our odyssey. And yes, unlike Location X, we ARE going to publicly reveal our locat… |
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Jig Time Bassin’ $9.95 This year jigs will account for more bass than any other lure. Learn the five factors to jigging success. Plus jigging bass in shallow water, in dirty water, in the weeds and dockside. Water-breaking big bass action! 60 minutes… |