Jig Fishing The Detroit River

ng walleye in the Detroit River is quite a challenge forit. Don't be intimidated into fishing something that
many people. Others go with someone with a littledoesn't work for you.
knowledge and experience and catch fishAnother topic for discussion will be bait. Some guys
immediately. They then try it on their own,carry live minnows all the time. They catch fish. I
sometimes with little success.didn't use any live minnows for several years now. I
The game appears (and it is) quite simple and straightcaught many fish. Do what you do best! I prefer
forward. The few little important details need torubber worms or rubber minnows. Use realistic looking
followed precisely. Boat control must top the list.worms that fall to the bottom quickly.
Most river jiggers prefer boats with low profiles andMy favourite colors are brown, solid chartreuse, pink,
low wind resistance that are finely controlled withand purple with a firetail for low visibility conditions.
electric trolling motors.My son and I used a dynamite rubber minnow last
This allows the fisherman to resist the wind andyear that probably out fished anything else weused.
current at exactly the level required so that whenYou will see it in action if you fish with me!
you are jigging, your fishing line remains vertical andUse stinger hooks. Again, many of the good
you can easily maintain contact with the bottom.fishermen out there won't do this. Seems to be an
If you lose contact with bottom, chances are goodego thing?? I guarantee those stingers are going to
that your line is drifting away from you. Reel in andget you some fish you would have otherwise missed.
start fresh.USE BRAIDED LINE. It doesn't stretch and provides
You are totally out of he game if you are not verticalmaximum feel. Don't even bother going without it.
fishing.I think most guys prefer short stiff fishing rods (med
Jig selection is a topic that will create debate. I willheavy) and quality reels. You need the best drag
present my view. You are going to hear many of thesystem you can get.(fast retrieve is a plus)
best jiggers out there telling you that you must useFish the cleanest water you can find that holds fish.
a small jig. (3/8 ounce) I am going to tell you that IJigging methods vary from something akin to
have caught more fish than those fisherman onsnagging to short delicate movement. I prefer to
occasions using a 1 ounce jig.WALK THE BOTTOM jigging up and down slowly
For many new fishermen I provide either 3/4 or 1only about 6 inches and setting the hook immediately
ounce jigs and they catch fish. If a person is unableat any indication of a hit. Bring the fish up quickly.
to maintain bottom contact and know for surePutting on the TV show and playing with them, will
where his jig is, he is lost and out of the game. Alose fish. Set fast, and reel fast! That's about all you
heavier jig may get dropped quicker by the fish butneed to know. Follow everything I have said to the
if you need that heavier jig to get you hits, go withletter and I promise you - you will catch fish.