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'.

[hyefisherman2]

Originally Posted by Mike P

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.

how about you mike?

anyhow you need a faster reel thats all...at least your not using a rod under 10ft for jigging, i thought maybe you were thus the reason why you kept getting snagged on the retrieve.

[NIB]

Tell him the rod numbers o' great sage..
I suggested a emblem.At under 200 It's a good entry level reel..
Plunking down 700 beans is not in everyones budget..
There is no doubt there are some who know how to jig better.I learned long ago there is always someone better..It is not about who is better, I just offered up "For Free" what some would only sell..Keep it up and I will let you go back to being the "know it all"..
As far as well experienced SaltHeart comes to mind.He is a expert, he does things a little different..Lighter jigs more count..On the front page look up articles I think he did one on jigging a while back..One should explore many methods as the canal can be very different from one side to the other..

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by NIB

Tell him the rod numbers o' great sage..
..

I think we have that pretty much covered--if he can't get a 1209, then it's a 126 Arra. Sounds like he's wrapping the Arra this winter. That 122 1MH is a beast--wicked heavy. He might be better off with a glass 3M, unless he's a big guy like you or Slip. That 122 is more rod than I can handle right now.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Mike P

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

Unfortunately, I don't know either of them well enough to know that. And the breadth of their knowledge wasn't obvious in their first replies. And I made the request for someone with experience before the really helpful info came out.

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

Agreed. When I snag the bubble weed, I can usually walk it down and pull out of it. I'm pretty sure I'm hitting some sort of thick weed because I can usually feel a bit of play in the snag when giving a bit of slack.

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'.

Thanks to the wisdom here, I think the reel's limitation in retrieval speed is definitely the source of my problem. Unfortunately the bank won't allow me to buy a VS just yet.

Thanks NIB, Slip and Mike!