Fishing Rocks and Boulders

[Sportdog]

Is it even possible to fish jigs in solid rocks and boulders? The vast majority of the lakes I fish have either mud or sand bottoms with plenty of weeds in the mud bottom lakes. I'm going to be fishing an area for smallmouths that my buddy told me is solid rocks and large boulders. The water will be very clear and shallow, 3-6 foot deep, and was told to target the darker water areas. In the past it has been total frustration for me to fish the bottom in these types of underwater habitat. I have always ended up throwing cranks or spinnerbaits and have done OK but don't seem to catch the numbers that others who say they fished tubes, jigs, or live crawlers do. Any Tips or Tricks that you have for me would be appreciated. Thanks.:duh:

[Klaas Act - Rich Ziert]

I think you need a bait that is a little more cragless. . . as in snagless. If shallow as you say, park the boat upwind standing way off (30 yards+) and pitch smallish to medium size floating/diving cranks beyond the target before cranking hard. Hit a rock? stop reeling and let the bait float up. Start reeling fast again. . . repeat - repeat - repeat.

[KLN2 ul]

The key to fishing rocks and boulders is the weight of the jig. If the jig is too heavy, you'll snag up all the time. You want a jig that is just heavy enough to rap on the rocks while you swim it back slowly. Another approach is to use a larger size plastic tube, skirts, grub that will keep your jig from falling fast into the rocks. Diameter of the fishing line will affect the jig fall rate.

Once you get it tuned in, a jig can very productive. This also works for walleye fishing.

[LunkerI]

The answer to your question is "yes"....it IS possible to fish jigs in boulders and rocks. First, you state that your depth will be 3 - 6 feet. You shouldn't need anything heavier than a 1/16th oz jig...and might even be able to go to 1/32nd. Secondly, you state that the water is clear. Therefore, it seems to me that, with a good pair of polarized sunglasses, you should be able to see where your jig is in relation to the bottom. Using a chartreuse or orange jig head for visibility, you should be able to swim it along just above the structure with no problem.

[RAW]

Your buddy told you to fish 3 to 6 foot water that is very clear and to target dark water spots. These should be pockets of deeper water and should hold the fish. Tossing a small skirted jig with a chunk or craw trailer to the far side of the dark spot and slowly drag it through the dark hole.

Swim a jig with a twin tail skirted grub through the hole. you want to go just heavy enough to tick the rocks.

rebel deep diving craw cranked slowly beating off the rocks should work too. You will want to use the deep diver so the tip of the bill is banging th rocks rather than the hooks.

Deep shad rap #5 and #7 burned through the rocks. You will get a very eratic action as it bounces off the rocks.

Top water action can be a bunch of fun. Twitch a pop R or walk the dog with a baby spook.

Sink baits like the Senko or Yum Dinger can be very productive. hook texas style or wacky. Pitch into dark spot/hole. Let sink on a slack line. when line jumps reel down and set the hook. Count down the sink. After on the bottom reel up most of the slack and slap the reel handle causing it to turn a quick half turn 3 or 4 times and let sink again. Reel up and do again.

There are a few other things to try

good luck, Rich

[catch it twice]

1/8 oz. jigs and twister tails work good over rocks.

[Klaas Act - Rich Ziert]

Don't mean to be out of line here but . . . if the water is very clear and the fish are in very shallow rocky/bouldery water, wouldn't backing off from the spot, making long tosses, scare less fish away? If backing off is the ticket, considering the angle of the dangle, throwing any jig, light or heavy, will increase the snagability ? Help me please I'm imploding.

[KLN2 ul]

Next time you are out fishing and you find rocks in shallow water, toss a few jigs and you will understand how it can be done. If it's tuned in, you will not get snagged up very often.

[Klaas Act - Rich Ziert]

Thanks for the great reply. Can I use your equipment to do as you say?

[KLN2]

Act,

I would have to charge you for the use of my equipment.... just kidding:-). I have showed a lot of fishermen how to jig fish in shallow rocks.

Actually, it's not about the equipment. It's about tuning in your equipment for fishing the rocks without hanging up. It's a great way to fish shallow water walleyes that are feeding in the rocks. If you have to go into the spot you're fishng to get your jig out, you'll spook the fish.

[vlad]

Try dropshotting a roboworm body shad or other plastic that mimics the prevalent baitfish or a yum crawbug on a football for a good crayfish imitation. Both presentations dont snag often unless you hit a crack in or between the rocks.