jigging the canal

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Definitely not a pot. And it's happened in half a dozen different places, many of which I've scouted for rope at low water.

I'm sure it's heavy weed as the water shallows. However, I'm bringing the jig in further from shore than some of those guys I've seen out in 3+knot current speed.

Any word from the experienced guys that actually jig the canal in the conditions mentioned (heavy current, 5+oz or similar)?

Uh--there's nobody here more experienced than NIB and Slip.

You usually get your jig back when you snag the bubble weed in close.

I agree with NIB--your 560 can't take up line fast enough (slow retrieve/narrow spool) and your jig is getting buried in the face of the drop-off. This is particularly a problem when you have some eel grass on your leader.

If you're going to use spinning reels, and you're going to jig the Canal regularly, I would advise you to make the investment in a Van Staal 275 or a Saltiga 6000 GT--the problem you're having with hang-ups should go away. At full capacity those two reels take up about 4 feet of line per crank of the handle--or something close to 4'.