Detroit River jig size

[perchjerker]

Ok guys. I finally have the optimum rig for the Trenton Channel area. I will be able to get vertical for a change! My question is, what jig size should I make? I'm thinking 5/8 and 3/4. My molds will go from 1/4 to 1 oz. I will be using both 10 lb fireline and Trilene Sensithin 10 lb which has a dia of .0114". Can I go any smaller than 5/8?

While I'm asking, what colors do you (I mean the fish) prefer? I have yellow and green chartreuse, pink, orange and white.

Need some of you river rats to help me out.

I also have a handline reel a buddy gave me, Its a little old, Im going to go through it and hook it up too, but thats a subject for another post!!

[eyebuster]

perchjecker,

The other night I spoke with Jim Barta and he was telling me that don't worry about using anything small then a 3/8oz on the most perfect day and no more then a 1oz on the worst of days. He also told me that for the everyday fisherman 1/2oz to 3/4 was the ticket. I use 1/2oz most of the time on the days when the wind is out of the north in the spring 3/4oz. Hope this helps.

By the way what kind of mold are you using and where did you get it?

eyebuster
dave

[Homer]

Jig size depends upon whether I'm fishing the upper or lower portions of the channel. From Trenton down to the lake, I'm usually using a 3/8 or (on calm days) 1/4 oz jig. Up near Wyandotte, where it's deeper, it's ususally 1/2 or 3/4 oz. My golden rule is to use just enough jig weight to maintain a good feel for the bottom, but no more. A lot of it depends upon how well you are able to control your boat to match the exact spped of the river current. Until you get it down pat, you're better off erring to the heavier side.

My favorite colors are: 1) Chartreuse, 2) Glow, 3) Lime green, 4) Orange, 5) Pink. I paint two-tone jigs, so I usually start the morning with chartreuse/glow, then switch to chartreuse/lime, then chareuse/orange, then pink/white until the fish show a preference. I had a lot of success using powerbait jigworms last spring and fall instead of minnows. They provide yet a third color option to add to the mix.

[perchjerker]

Dave-
I have a "football" style jig mold as wll as a round head. Got them from Andy's. They have the best selection in the area that I have found. Nice people to deal with, too.

[perchjerker]

Hey Homie!
Did ya make it to the DWF meeting?
It was pretty cool, tons of people there!

Are you using powder paint? I use it and was wondering if there are any tricks to doing a two tone job with it.
If you dont use powder paint, what do you use? Component systems spray? Something else?
And what do you mean by glow, paint that glows in the dark?

thanks man!!

[eyebuster]

Homer,

I'm going to try using the 1/4oz size jigs this year. My question is, do you have a hard time keeping in contact with the bottom with that light of a jig? Thanks perchjecker, I go to andy's once in a while I'll take a look next time in there.

eyebuster
dave

[perchjerker]

Sure thing, Im sure you have seen the molds, they are right there when you walk in the store.
I also use the Palmer cast iron hot pot as opposed to the larger setup Jim Barta has. Nothing wrong with his setup, I just like doing smaller quanities and also it works better if you are doing bottom bouncers where the wire sticking up out of the mold causes clearance problems.

[ebijack]

you forgot, short hook/long hook :)
depends on what water depth your planning on fishing....12ft and under 1/4 and 3/8's (depending on current speed/wind etc)deeper i prefer 1/2,5/8's,3/4. for me, you spend alot of time waiting for a light jig head to get down to where a heavier jig does a much better job of staying in the 1-2ft of bottom where the more active/catchable fish for me tend to be. plain jig heads for the most part...if your bouncing rocks, the paint doesn't last anyway. you'll find as many different favorites as there are fisherman. just depends on what works for you.

[Homer]

Perchjerker: Didn't make it the January DWF, but will definitely be there in February. I switched to powder paint last year. For all but the glow two-tones, I dip the left hand side in one color and the right-hand side in the other color. For my chartreuse/glow, I like them 90% chartreuse, and dip the area by the jig eye in glow first and then the rest in chartreuse. The key to powder paints is getting the jigs hot enough; for the heavier jigs, I've had a lot better luck heating them in the oven. Yes, there is a glow in the dark powder paint.

Eyebuster: It looks like ebijack already answered your question. The 1/4 oz only works in fairly shallow water and light wind days. If I have problem keeping contact (which is pretty often), I move to a heavier jig.

Just got done putzing in the garage and re-rigging my bowmount depth finder. Man, it feels like spring out there!

[perchjerker]

Thanks for clearing that up, homes.

What I use to heat up the jigs is a propane torch. I apply heat, count to 3 while rotating it around in the flame. Puts just the right amount of heat to make the paint stick, then I put them in an old broiler oven set at 325 for 10 min or so. Will try to do the two tone thing you speak of. I did some today, dipped them totally in white glow, then after that dried i did the bottom half in whatever color. They look pretty good.

[Homer]

How do you reheat the jig prior to putting the second color on, without ruining the original color?

[perchjerker]

After I bake on the base coat in the broiler oven and let it cool, I just pass it through the flame of the torch to heat it up. It dosent hurt the base coat at all.

[RandyG]

Walleys hit on the fall, if your not verticle you won't notice it.

Light jigs provide better action

Can't spook them with light line.

Finally, I fished the same drift for hours changing colors
and when you finally find the color, limit to near limit in an hour or three.

Thanks,

Randy

[Doug]

If you are primarily fishing the Trenton channel, there should be no reason you need to go heavier than 3/8 oz. If you are finding that you cannot "feel" bottom, work on your trolling motor skills, force yourself not to bump up to a heavier jig. Heavier jigs and non-vertical lines will only snag. On calm days try 1/4 oz jigs. If you fish upstream in deeper water above Wyandotte start with a 1/2 oz and maybe bump to a 5/8 oz. if it is windy. I use 8lb clear Sensithin and my go to colors are chart/orange and glow white fireballs. Remember that you don't need to slam bottom on each drop. If you are vertical and can touch bottom every 2-3 times you will be in the zone.

[fishinnut]

Don't wait for it to cool. Immediately dip it in the second color for a two tone look.

[JRS]

I also make my own jigs and use the powder paint it works great.My question is what size of hooks do you guys for the bigger jigs I have some 3/0 and 4/0 but they seem to big? also what kind of hooks do you use when making jigs? Thanks in advance

[JJ]

Just another ides. i like to keep some of my jigs plain lead. Just before using them, I take my knife and scratch them up to bring out the "shine" in the lead. This seems to help a little, kind of adds the look of scales.

JJ

[Mark]

Hey Perchy...how come the rope???We only use 4/1 Fireline...Have pulled logs off the bottom...Never have lost a fish...I think you will be able to stay verticle much more w/smaller diameter line...10 is overkill...Good luck..Mark

[Bo]

Hey Perchy, I agree with mark. Try 6 lb test fireline, add a very small barrel swivel to the fireline, then attach about a three foot flourocarbon leader and then your jig. I use 10 lb flourocarbon. Works great, got a good feel, and if you get snagged, it breaks off relatively easy. Bo "582